Florida law enforcement and local officials have expressed support for a growing Orthodox Jewish community near Lake Okeechobee after an online campaign targeted Jewish families with antisemitic messages.
The community, located at Lakefront Estates in Glades County, is welcoming families who are establishing homes, opening schools and building the institutions needed to support Orthodox Jewish life in rural Florida.
The officials’ visit underscored the importance of religious freedom and the right of Jewish families to live, raise children and practice their faith without intimidation.
Antisemitic Messages Target Jewish Families
The controversy intensified after hateful messages circulated online targeting the new development and its residents. According to Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, chief chaplain of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, some posts featured Stars of David alongside the words “assimilate” and “go home.”
The messages were directed at families seeking to establish a community organized around their Orthodox Jewish religious traditions.
The online campaign prompted concern among community members and drew attention to the challenges Jewish families can face when antisemitism moves from public rhetoric to targeted harassment.
Law Enforcement and Local Leaders Show Support
On Wednesday, October 14, state law enforcement personnel and Glades County officials visited Lakefront Estates to meet with residents and demonstrate their support.
Those present included Florida Highway Patrol Executive Director Dave Kerner, Chief Matt Williams, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, Glades County Sheriff David Hardin and County Manager Paul Carlisle, according to Rosenberg.
Rosenberg thanked the officials for taking the concerns seriously and making the visit. He emphasized that Jewish families should be welcomed as neighbors rather than treated as a threat because of their religious identity.
He also expressed appreciation for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s support for religious freedom. However, his attendance at the October 14 visit was not independently confirmed in the reporting.
A Growing Orthodox Jewish Community
Lakefront Estates is emerging as a new center of Orthodox Jewish life in the region. Community representatives reported that more than 100 families had moved into the development, with additional arrivals expected. Schools have also opened as residents begin establishing the educational and communal services needed by local families.
For Orthodox Jewish households, living near schools, synagogues and other religious institutions can make it easier to maintain religious traditions and build a strong community.
The development’s growth has also brought increased public attention, making it important for residents to be able to establish their lives without being subjected to religious prejudice or harassment.
Defending Religious Freedom in Florida
Rosenberg stressed that Florida should remain a place where people of every faith can live safely and freely. He said the visit was an opportunity to listen to residents, build relationships with local authorities and address community safety concerns.
The response from state and local officials sends a message that antisemitic intimidation should not determine where Jewish families can live or whether they can practice their religion openly.
As Lakefront Estates continues to grow, community leaders and law enforcement will have an important role in maintaining communication, addressing reported threats and ensuring that residents feel safe in their homes.
The incident also highlights the importance of confronting antisemitism and protecting the fundamental right of every religious community to live peacefully and participate in American society without fear of discrimination.
Credit: The Jewish Voice
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