Florida’s Jewish population is one of the largest in the country at 653,000 residents. Of those, approximately 603,000 live in South Florida. Naturally, Jewish life is integral to the South Florida community. Maria makes sure that the voice of the Jewish community is heard in Tallahassee.
The Florida-Israel Partnership
Sen. Sachs with Israeli Consul General Ofer Bavly
Maria fully supports the State of Israel and stands committed to a robust and fruitful relationship between Florida and the Jewish State. She believes that this alliance should be enhanced through stronger trade relations. Israel’s preeminence as a high tech and renewable energy leader will allow both economies to capitalize together on the growth industries of the 21st century. To this end, Maria led a trade mission to Israel in October 2010, which set a firm foundation for further cooperation.
Bringing the “Start-Up Nation” to South Florida
While on her trade mission, Maria experienced firsthand the ways in which Israel is earning its reputation as the “start-up nation.” A drive for innovation and a spirit of entrepreneurship contribute to Israel’s economic success, especially in the high tech field. Israel has committed to the world’s first electric vehicle (EV) network, to be built by EV manufacturer Better Place, and Maria strives to bring not only that same drive to South Florida but also the cutting edge technology itself. As organizations like the Daniel Sieff Research Institute and Weizmann Institute of Science produce further innovations, Maria will continue to be first in line to encourage this relationship between Israel and Florida.
Responding to the South Florida Jewish Community
Maria’s office recently developed a Jewish Council designed to connect policymakers with citizens concerned about Jewish affairs in South Florida.The monthly forum will feature special guest speakers and provide a chance for constituents to voice their policy recommendations directly to Maria. She is working closely with the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Florida Chapter to ensure a healthy partnership by promoting joint business ventures and networking community leaders.
Holocaust Survivors and their Families
Holocaust Survivor Fee Waiver Program
Maria has teamed up with CFO Jeff Atwater to ensure that Florida’s Holocaust survivors receive their full restitution payments from foreign governments without being assessed an international wire transfer fee. These charges deny survivors between $10 and $40 per transaction. This program will benefit thousands of Holocaust survivors in South Florida. Maria encourages any survivor who is being charged a wire transfer fee for restitution payments to contact her office immediately.
For more information about the program, please visit http://www.myfloridacfo.com/feewaiver/.
Senator Sachs at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum South Florida luncheon with her husband, Peter and his parents, Nina and Sam, both Holocaust survivors
Café Europa
As a long-time supporter and member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Wings of Memory Society, Maria knows the vital importance of remembering and honoring the victims of the Holocaust. She also recognizes the need to maintain our commitment to the survivors. Estimates of the Holocaust survivor population in Southeast Florida alone range from 12,000 to 18,000, making it the third largest survivor population center behind Israel and New York. She fully supports Café Europa, a local biannual gathering of Holocaust survivors, which ensures that we never forget.