Doral, FL (VINnews) – Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office led the county’s annual pre-Passover security briefing Wednesday, bringing together federal, state, and local officials to address threats facing the Jewish community ahead of the holiday.

The high-level meeting, held at the agency’s headquarters and coordinated together with Chief Chaplain Rabbi Mark Rosenberg—who also serves as Senior Advisor to the Sheriff and as Chief Chaplain for both the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement—drew approximately 160 attendees, including community leaders, law enforcement officials, and representatives from municipalities across South Florida.

This year’s briefing comes at a time of heightened concern, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and a noticeable rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States.

“As your Sheriff, let me be clear: we will not tolerate antisemitism—or any form of hate, intimidation, or targeted violence—in this county.

There is no place for it here. Not in our neighborhoods, not in our schools, not in our houses of worship, and not in our online spaces.

We are seeing concerning trends across the country, and that reality requires us to remain vigilant, coordinated, and prepared.

As we approach Passover, our focus is on visibility, readiness, and partnership. We will act decisively—investigating thoroughly and holding those responsible accountable under the law.

To all those celebrating, I wish you a safe, meaningful, and peaceful Passover.”

Among the featured speakers were Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Highway Patrol; Mark Glass, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Brett Skiles of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Miami Field Office; Keith Pearson, Senior Counselor to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Chief Assistant State Attorney Stephen Talpin; and Commissioner Micky Steinberg, who represents one of the largest Jewish populations in Miami-Dade County.

Titled “Lessons from Recent Targeted Attacks on the Jewish Community — Where Do We Stand Today?”, the more than two-hour briefing was closely attended throughout, reflecting the seriousness of the moment.

The program opened with an invocation and concluded with a benediction delivered by Rabbi Korf and Rabbi Harig. Rabbi Rosenberg, who also serves as Director of Chesed Shel Emes of Florida and has organized the event for over 20 years, provided detailed guidance for the upcoming Passover holiday, including synagogue schedules, safety protocols, and community preparedness measures.

Speakers throughout the briefing addressed the recent spike in antisemitic incidents and emphasized that Jewish families should be able to observe their holidays without fear or disruption. Officials outlined coordinated security efforts, intelligence-sharing, and proactive measures being implemented to protect synagogues, hotels, and public gathering spaces.

The timing of the briefing is especially critical this year. Travel disruptions and regional instability have limited the ability for many families to travel to Israel for Passover, resulting in a higher-than-usual number of visitors expected across South Florida.

As a result, Miami-Dade County—along with other Florida destinations—is preparing for increased attendance at religious services, hotels, and community events, further underscoring the importance of advanced planning and strong interagency coordination.

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz emphasized that the strong turnout and coordination ensured a unified, proactive approach to public safety heading into the holiday.