A coalition of 40 Florida rabbis representing Jewish communities across 17 cities and seven counties has endorsed Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for governor, citing his record on antisemitism, education, and support for Israel as they seek to preserve Florida as a safe place for Jewish families.

The open letter, dated October 13 and released Friday, was signed by the rabbis in their individual capacities. Thirty-six of the signatories are based in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, with others representing communities stretching from South Florida to Tampa, Tallahassee, and Northeast Florida.

“Florida has become a place where Jewish families can build their lives, practice their faith, educate their children, and raise the next generation with confidence and without living in constant fear,” the rabbis wrote. “This is nothing we can take for granted.”

The rabbis pointed to Donalds’ public opposition to antisemitism and his commitment to protecting Jewish communities. They highlighted his declaration that the safety and security of Floridians is “non-negotiable,” as well as a recent town hall in Delray Beach where Jewish students from Florida Atlantic University asked how he would protect students on college campuses.

“Direct question, direct answer: Antisemitism will never be tolerated on college campuses,” Donalds responded.

Education was another major factor in the endorsement. The rabbis praised Donalds’ work in the Florida Legislature to expand scholarship programs and increase parents’ ability to choose how their children are educated. They also highlighted Donalds and his wife, Erika, for supporting school choice, which they said has helped Jewish families access faith-based education.

The letter also emphasized Donalds’ support for Israel, including his response to Hamas rocket attacks in 2021 and his condemnation of antisemitic attacks against American Jews. The rabbis cited his continued public support for Israel, including a message marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.

“Florida will ALWAYS stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters,” Donalds declared in his October 7 anniversary message.

The rabbis said they want Florida to remain a state where Jewish families can practice their faith, educate their children according to their values, and live without fear of antisemitism.

“We believe Florida must remain a state where Jewish life flourishes, antisemitism is confronted, our communities are protected, and parents have meaningful choices in educating their children,” they wrote. “We look forward to working with you to keep Florida strong, safe, and welcoming for generations to come.”

Lisa Spies, the Donalds campaign’s director of Jewish outreach, welcomed the endorsement, describing the rabbis as respected religious leaders who share the congressman’s priorities.

“These are some of the most respected rabbinic leaders in Florida, and they came together because they know what’s at stake,” Spies said. “Byron Donalds has stood with the Jewish community and with Israel when it mattered most. Florida’s Jewish community is proud to stand with him.”

Bryan E. Leib, a surrogate for the Donalds campaign, also highlighted the size of the coalition, joking about the difficulty of getting rabbis to agree.

“It’s hard to get two rabbis to agree on anything, and 40 of them just agreed on Byron Donalds,” Leib said.

Donalds won the Republican gubernatorial primary in August and has the endorsement of President Donald Trump. He faces Democratic nominee David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, in the November 3 general election.