St. Johns County - Israel Friendship Day

COMMUNITY

ST. JOHNS COUNTY-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP DAY CELEBRATED ON NOV. 8

By The Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller of St. Johns County

On November 8, St. Johns County celebrated the long-standing alliance between the United States and Israel — and the Jewish community’s even longer history in St. Augustine — with County Commission Chairman Jeremiah R. Blocker and County Clerk and Comptroller Brandon Patty signing a St. Johns CountyIsrael Friendship Day proclamation before a crowd of more than 60 residents and supporters.

"By declaring Nov. 8 St. Johns County-Israel Friendship Day, we are saying that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel and our Jewish friends and neighbors in St. Johns County in promoting freedom, human rights and security," Clerk Patty said.

At the Friendship Day event, U.S. Army veteran Capt. Brandon Sugg of St. Johns County led the pledge of allegiance. Featured speakers were Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein of Chabad St. Johns County, who offered the invocation; the Rev. Lee Weaver of the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society, who presented a history of the Jewish community; Ms. Mariam Shpeen Feist, CEO of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida; Ms. Mary Schulten, Christian outreach coordinator for StandWithUs, and Rabbi Fred Raskind, adjunct rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Chesed, who closed the ceremony with a blessing.

County Commission Chairman Jeremiah R. Blocker, Jewish Federation & Foundation President Jennifer Plotkin, U.S. Army veteran Capt. Brandon Sugg, Jewish Federation & Foundation CEO Mariam Shpeen Feist, and County Clerk and Comptroller Brandon Patty.

Rabbi Sharfstein, who co-directs the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of St. Johns, with his wife Dini, thanked county representatives for their beautiful display of support and friendship toward the County’s Jewish community and towards the State of Israel. At the close of the celebration, he presented Clerk Patty with a menorah as a sign of light, unity and friendship, which Clerk Patty accepted on behalf of the county.

A surprise highlight of the event was Ms. Feist’s reading of a letter from the Israeli Consulate of Florida in support of the St. Johns County-Israel Friendship Day proclamation and the investment policy resolution.

"We are appreciative to St. Johns County for proclaiming Nov. 8 as Israel Friendship Day," said Ms. Feist. "As the convening organization on behalf of the Jewish community, we thank you for your unwavering support of Israel, and look forward to more opportunities to connect with, forge deeper relationships and work together with the St. Johns County community. For without a vibrant and strong St. Johns County, we cannot have a vibrant and strong Jewish community."

To view the ceremony, go to https://youtu.be/szCLGgW0ATs