Florida Governor: Hate-Crimes Law Should Apply in Synagogue Fire 

 

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist granted an exclusive interview just before the conclusion of the Passover holiday. Sitting down in his office with Rabbi Schneur Zalman Oirechman, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Panhandle in Tallahassee, and Menachem Cohen of Kfar Chabad magazine, Crist spoke about his warm relations with the Jewish community and shared his concern for the Chabad House of Miami Beach, found torched last week in an apparent arson. When informed that Cohen was from Kfar Chabad, the Governor took out a map personally inscribed and presented to him by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert upon his recent mission to the country and asked for the town’s location. The Prime Minister’s inscription reads: “To Charlie, Israel’s friend in Florida: Good luck and best wishes, Yours, Ehud Olmert, July 2007.”

Q: As you know, the destruction of the Chabad House in Miami Beach, directed by Rabbi Zev and Chani Katz, is the second case of a synagogue in the Miami area to be struck by fire in six months. How should the authorities respond to this latest tragedy?

A: "I think that it is terrible that it occurred at all, [happening] on Passover. Some of the [Torah] scrolls were torn, [and] it looks like it was intentional. I know from what I am told that there is currently an investigation going on to try to determine [who are] the perpetrators and how this happened."

Q: As the state's attorney general, you were behind a hate-crimes law. Should it be applied here?

A: "This kind of crime, if it is proven to be that, would fall into the category of what we call a hate crime, because it’s designated to happen against a particular group for a particular reason, in this case religious based. I am a strong supporter of enforcing hate crimes, in order to deter that kind of criminal activity from happening again. I am very glad we have hate-crime laws in Florida, because they protect the Jewish religion, African Americans, and any group of people.

"I am hopeful that once the investigation is concluded, and the facts are fully determined, that those laws would bring with them severe penalties."

Q: Florida has one of the highest concentrations of Jews in the world. Tell us about your relationship with the Jewish community.

E: "I cherish it a great deal, as I do my relationship with Rabbi Oirechman.  He is, I would dare say, a mentch.  He is a man of a very kind heart, great good will, and I am honored to have him as my friend.

"I think that it is important for all of us in Florida, in America and the world to understand the contributions of the Jewish community.  It has been significant in Florida and personally significant to me.

"I cherish what the Jewish people have done for Florida, have done for America, and have done for Israel, and there’s a strong bond and affinity between the state of Israel and the state of Florida, and—I hope—between Gov. Crist and the Jewish people."

Q: You visited Israel almost one year ago. Why did you choose Israel as your first foreign destination as governor? What impressed you by your visit there?

E: "I wanted my first trade mission to be to Israel because of the importance the State of Israel has to so many of my fellow Floridians.  As you indicated accurately, there is a significant Jewish population in Florida, upwards of 750,000 by the last numbers I've seen.  That is important to me and that means a lot to me, and as I say, many of my dearest friends are of the Jewish religion.”

"It was important to me personally to have the opportunity as a new governor to express in a very appropriate way my affection for the State of Israel [and] my concern for the Jewish people in Florida by making Israel my first trade mission as the 44th Governor of Florida."

Q: Has it brought any results in making Florida and Israel economically better?

E: "I think it has. Let me explain: I had a chance to meet with Prime Minister Olmert (who presented this map to Florida). I also met with the Defense Minister, Livni, and many other government officials, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu as well.

"Every time I have a chance to visit Israel – this was my second visit – it just gives you a greater awareness, a deeper understanding of issues of concern.  One of them that came to the fore was the divestment issue as it relates to countries like Iran and the Sudan.  Because of those kinds of interchanges and experiences, this divestment issue became very important.  Sen. Ted Deutch sponsored a bill, and I was able to sign it when I came back from the mission.

"Because of the horrible things that Iran, the largest sponsor of state terrorism in the world, is doing, we as Floridians, through our state board of administration and the billions of dollars it invests, will no longer invest in any company that invests in Iran. [Likewise with] the Sudan, because of the difficulties happening there as well. We are the first government in the world to sign a divestment bill. ”

Q; We heard you have an interesting story regarding the note you placed in the Western Wall.

E: "That’s a very interesting story.  This trip happened in May, almost a year ago, that’s before hurricane season. I was talking to my friend [Congressman] Robert Wexler, and he said, ‘You know, there is a tradition when you go to the Western Wall you pray to G‑d, and put the prayer in the Wall, and I said, ‘That sounds like a good idea.’ So the night before, I was in my hotel room and I wrote out a prayer, and it was basically, ‘Dear G‑d, please protect Florida from storms and other difficulties—Charlie.’ And so I folded it up and went with Congressman Wexler and placed it in the wall as tradition dictates, and we got to December and there was no hurricane. Thank G‑d! I’m not going to Israel this spring, but there’s more to the story. I called Cong. Wexler—he goes to Israel frequently— and asked, ‘If you’re going to be going soon, please call me up and let me know so I can give you my prayer and you can be my ambassador to place in the Western Wall yet again to protect Florida."

Q: You spoke earlier about your relationship with the Jewish community. There are more than 130 Chabad-Lubavitch centers throughout Florida. How do you view their work, and their contribution to the state?

E: "I am very impressed.  Any of us who are called to service, as you are obviously, should be motivated to do good work for those less fortunate.  Chabad does an amazing job in reaching out to communities all over Florida, in trying to help others do good works, in making Florida a better place to live for all our people.  For that, I am very grateful as your governor."

Q: You presided over the first-ever Chanukah lighting at the governor's mansion. What made you feel like celebrating that Jewish holiday?

E: "I feel that it is important to recognize the beliefs of others, appreciate them and respect them, and honor them in a way that manifests them visibly.  By having the celebration at the governor's mansion, I thought it would elevate the awareness and appreciation of the Jewish people." [Points out mezuzah on door]

Q: You are closely positioned to McCain and are considered a senior ally. Can you tell us about your relationship? And in your opinion, can McCain lead the United States over the next few years, especially now with the Iranian threat?

E: "Sen. John McCain, I think, is an extraordinary leader. I think that his concern about safety and security, national security both for America and Israel, is clear. I know that he has a good heart, that he will lead with integrity, and that, in my humble opinion, he’s the right man at the right time for freedom throughout the world, and that’s why I was so honored to endorse him in the Florida primary and I was very pleased that he won. I’m glad he is the nominee of my party. I think he would make an extraordinary president.

 I think he would fight very hard for world peace. He’s a true hero in every sense of the word. He served five-and-a-half years in a prisoner of war camp, so he understands what power, cruel power, is like, what unkindness can do. I think it’s important to have a leader who appreciates what difficulties can befall people put in a difficult circumstance and clearly, Sent. McCain understands."

Q: Based on the constant terror that the Israelis are facing, do you believe a peace agreement with the Palestinians is possible? And what would you do if you were the Israeli Prime Minister to stop the missile attacks that Israelis are facing on a daily basis?

E: "I will leave that to Prime Minister Olmert. I have enough issues to deal with as Governor of Florida, but I think it’s important, and the Prime Minister understands this, to protect the people. Very important."

Q; Historically speaking, many governors have sought the presidency at the ends of their terms. Will the honorable Governor weigh the matter?

E: "I’m weighing being Governor of Florida, and it’s a great honor for me. I’m enormously grateful to all the people of Florida for giving me the opportunity to serve them, and I hope that they’re pleased with my service."

Q: In the Passover spirit, what message do you have for the Jewish community?

E: "Just to continue the good work that is already happening. As I said, I enjoyed Passover dinner in Miami Beach, it was a pleasure, we danced and it was just great. I think celebrations such as Passover remind us how important it is to stay in touch with G‑d, to appreciate His good work, to understand that many have sacrificed that have gone before us, and their freedom is precious—whether from Pharaoh or whoever.  G‑d's kindness passing over certain doors reminds us yet again every year that G‑d's great power is a great protection."

From an interview with the Hebrew Kfar Chabad Magazine and Chabad.org.