A Time of Reflection and Renewal

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Paul family Passover 2001

I want to take a moment to wish each of you a blessed Holy Week and a happy Passover.

As many of us gather with our families and friends around the table to reflect on the story of our ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt, I’m reminded of the strength, faith, and perseverance that have carried our communities through so much, and continue to guide us today.

During this meaningful time, I also want to encourage everyone to make their voice heard. While there is some uncertainty surrounding our election date, if you have a vote-by-mail ballot, please send it in as soon as possible. If you’re planning to vote in person, please plan for April 7, the originally designated date for the election.

I appreciate your continued engagement and commitment to our community.

Below is my statement from the special commission meeting held on March 30, 2026:

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My Hebrew name is חינה.

I was raised in Surfside in the 1960s among the few religious Jewish families here at the time. I studied at Lehrman Day School, Hebrew Academy, and then attended public schools, Nautilus and Miami Beach High. There were no kosher restaurants in Surfside, and Town events did not serve kosher food. My family was among the first to join Magen David Congregation on Harding Avenue when Rebbetzin Vine formed it. Before that, we walked to Temple Ner Talmud in North Beach.

My mother, Anne Paul of blessed memory, was a Levi and the youngest president of the Ohev Shalom Sisterhood. Rabbi Weberman was a family friend and placed all the mezuzot in our home on Emerson Avenue. My parents were members of The Shul for many years, attending weekly services, High Holidays, special events, and classes, until it became too difficult for them to go in person.

It breaks my heart beyond words to hear the recent and continued untruthful claims of anti-Semitism against me, rumors that make their way back to me. This is not just a personal attack. It discredits my identity, my family, and the way I was raised. It insults my entire lineage as a Jew.

Judaism is a beautiful religion that taught me love, kindness, appreciation for the world, and how to be a respectful and good person. Those values are who I am.

Mr. Danzinger has brought religion into this election in a way that is deeply troubling. By framing this issue of the election date as anti-Semitism, he is creating a narrative that divides our community rather than bringing it together.

It is important that we stay grounded in the truth.

Surfside was first developed by Henry Levy, a Jew, and has always been a welcoming community to Jewish residents. Growing up, Jews and non-Jews coexisted with mutual respect. We gathered at the Surfside Community Center. That sense of community defined this town.

And today, the Jewish community here is stronger than ever. We now have synagogues, kosher restaurants, and a thriving Orthodox population within a small area. There is more access, more accommodation, and more acceptance than when I was growing up here.

Mr. Danzinger would have you believe that this election date reflects anti-Semitism toward the Orthodox community. It does not. His lawsuit focuses on the inconvenience of the election date during Passover, without acknowledging that many families also travel during Holy Week and spring break.

While April 7 may be inconvenient for some, it does not prevent participation. Vote-by-mail is available and has been promoted, including by The Shul. Additionally, April 7 falls during Chol Hamoed, when voting is permitted as a need of the public—tzirchei rabim.

For the record, I did not receive the email Mr. Danzinger claims to have sent. I received a voicemail from him and immediately contacted Town administration to say that I had no opposition to changing the date. At that time, I was still serving as Vice Mayor, and I am sworn to uphold the Town Charter. Joining an injunction would have violated that responsibility.

Now, with so much time having passed, we must also consider the residents who have already planned to vote on April 7. One possible path forward is to keep April 7 and add an additional voting date, such as April 14, to provide more access.

Ultimately, this decision is now before the courts, and I trust that the right outcome will be reached.

But what concerns me most is the tone and direction of this conversation.

We should not be dividing this community with accusations that are not grounded in truth.

Surfside has always been a place of respect, coexistence, and shared community.

We should hold onto that, especially now.

Thank you.

With gratitude,