Palm Beach County Days in Tallahassee was a strategic opportunity to advance priorities, deepen relationships, and ensure Jewish voices remain present and influential where decisions are made.
For the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, the visit delivered real and measurable value. Through direct engagement with elected officials and key stakeholders, Brandey Edelson, Vice President of Public Affairs, moved critical conversations forward, with a clear focus on confronting antisemitism, strengthening community safety, and keeping the needs of the Jewish community front and center in state and local decision-making.
Those conversations continued with State Representatives Christine Hunschofsky, Kelly Skidmore, and Rob Long. These legislators are trusted partners who consistently elevate Jewish concerns and ensure our community’s voice remains part of the legislative dialogue. The strength of these relationships continues to translate into tangible results for our community.
Palm Beach County Days also highlighted the importance of strong local leadership engaging at the state level. Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas and Councilwoman Yvette Drucker joined the delegation in Tallahassee, reinforcing Boca Raton’s commitment to advocacy and to ensuring that the city’s priorities, including the needs of the Jewish community, are represented in broader policy conversations. Brandey also connected with County Commissioner Maria Sachs to discuss ongoing community concerns and the importance of continued collaboration at the county level. Commissioner Sachs’ accessibility and willingness to work collaboratively help ensure that issues are addressed proactively and effectively.
The visit also demonstrated how strong partnerships produce real-world impact. In a working conversation with Ivan Maldonado, Executive Director of Palm Tran, Brandey thanked him for Palm Tran’s continued partnership and for the team’s recent swift and effective response in resolving a critical concern raised by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. This coordination underscored how these relationships directly enhance community safety and quality of life.
A meeting with State Attorney Alexcia Cox further reinforced the Federation’s commitment to confronting hate with accountability. Their discussion focused on the vital work of the Palm Beach County Hate Crimes Unit and Task Force, including the importance of supporting victims, encouraging the reporting of incidents, and ensuring these cases are taken seriously. Her leadership sends a clear and necessary message that antisemitism and hate have no place in Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach County Days reaffirmed that advocacy is most effective when relationships are strong, leaders are prepared to act, and engagement is consistent and strategic. Through the work of Public Affairs, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County continues to turn conversations into action and partnerships into real impact, all in service of our mission to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Jewish community.
Introducing: The Weekly Brief
This feature is part of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Weekly Brief—a recurring social series spotlighting the moments, leaders, and impact shaping Jewish Boca and our global Jewish community. Explore more stories on our social media.
