On Tuesday, Oct. 17, St. Johns County hosted a ceremony to celebrate its third annual St. Johns County-Israel Friendship Day with leaders of the Jewish community and the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Brandon Patty to display its unified support of Israel following the recent terrorist attacks and to recognize St. Johns County as the first local government in Florida to address discriminatory practices against Israel by updating its investment portfolio.
“At a time when our friends in Israel are mourning the loss of their loved ones, St. Johns County is in mourning with them,” Board of County Commissioners Chairman Christian Whitehurst said. “This year, our celebration of Israel Friendship Day has taken on a new level of significance. We want to send a clear, strong message that we stand side by side to support the Israeli people in their time of need.”
Following the ceremony held in the rotunda of the St. Johns County Administration Building, the board unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing St. Johns County-Israel Friendship Day as well as a resolution demonstrating support of Israel as it defends itself in the war launched by the terrorist organization Hamas.
The ceremony included attendance by every member of the board and Patty, as well as program participation by Rabbi Sharfstein Mendel, Chabad of St. Johns County; Rabbi Benjamin Dyme, Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue St. Johns County; Rabbi Levi Vogel, Chabad — Lubavitch of St. Augustine; Rabbi Nochum Kurinsky, Chabad at the Beaches; Jill Metlin and Mariam Shpeen Feist of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida; and St. Johns County Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick.
In honor of St. Johns County-Israel Friendship Day, a new art installation was unveiled in the rotunda called “Israel at 75: The Pioneering Spirit.” These images celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary and portray the early decades of the country’s independence.
