1000 Jews of Florida

A Political Committee Focused on State and Local Government in Florida

Florida has over 665,000 Jewish residents, and that number is growing each day. Making up approximately 4% of the state electorate, the Jewish vote has the potential to tip statewide elections. In parts of the state where Jews are highly concentrated, Jewish voters can be a major force in elections ranging from municipal councils to state legislators and members of congress. Of course, Jewish voters are not monolithic. Jews, like any ethnic or religious group in America, share a range of political opinions and ideas. Even with such diversity of thought, however, there are common values held among many Jews in Florida. Among these are:

Public Safety and Security in Our Communities

Jewish families, individuals and institutions are frequently the targets of intimidation and threats of physical violence. In some cases, these threats have escalated to actual attacks. In the wake of such threats, the State has responded by offering support to our institutions. But we as a community must not only be responsive after-the-fact. We must be proactive, and regularly advocate that resources are aligned with the level of threat. 1000 Jews of Florida will work to ensure Florida’s state and local governments maintain the public safety resources necessary to prevent real or threatened physical violence against any person in Florida.

Protecting Free Markets.

Historically, Jews were denied access to certain professions and business communities. Our success has been in part the result of our entrepreneurial spirits. We must ensure that our state and local governments preserve free market policies that ensure economic mobility and opportunity for all. 1000 Jews of Florida will work to ensure Florida’s state and local governments maintain policies that support a free and open market for all.

Support for Cultural Institutions

Cultural institutions, such as Holocaust museums and memorials, as well as other museums and educational cultural centers throughout Florida, serve to foster knowledge and understanding among our diverse populace. To ensure mutual respect and civic responsibility, such institutions must continue to be supported. Our common refrain “Never Again” is not simply a reminder of the past, but a call to action that we must forever heed. 1000 Jews of Florida will work to ensure support for cultural institutions that cultivate mutual understanding and respect among Floridians.

A Positive and Fair Relationship With the State of Israel

For Jews, the State of Israel was a safe haven in the aftermath of war that extinguished the existence of a large swath of our population. Today, Israel is a beacon of hope not just for the Jewish people, but for all who believe in the power of representative government, offering a symbol of stability in an often volatile region of the world. A global technology marvel, Israel has also become an important source of technology used each day by millions of Americans. While we may not always agree with each policy adopted by Israel, Americans, and especially Jewish Americans, have an interest in ensuring Israel’s opportunity to evolve and mature as a nation and to serve as an ally and stabilizing regional force. 1000 Jews of Florida will work to educate Florida’s state and local government leaders about the importance of a positive and fair relationship with Israel.

OUR TEAM

Jonathan Kilman

Jonathan is an experienced political advisor and high-caliber advocate for Fortune 500 Companies, some of Silicon Valley’s biggest brands, and an array of regional and non-profit world-changers. Jonathan is frequently called upon by clients to advise and help manage US and global government affairs portfolios.

In his Florida lobbying practice, Jonathan represents clients before the legislative and executive branches of Florida government, including the executive branch agencies. He has a passion for innovative technologies, healthcare, and transportation solutions.

As a lawyer, Jonathan represented the Florida House of Representatives in litigation and appeals related to the redistricting of Florida’s state and federal legislative districts. Two years later, he represented the Florida Department of State in state and federal election litigation and appeals. Jonathan also served as legal counsel to the successful 2006 campaign of Florida Governor Charlie Crist. He received a gubernatorial appointment to serve on Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission and was appointed by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.

Jonathan has a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Journal of Public Policy and winner of the school’s prestigious Williston Contracts Competition. He has a Bachelor of Science, with highest honors, from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame.

Jonathan has six children and is married to a whip-smart lawyer named Jessica who keeps him on his toes. They live in Miami, Florida, just two blocks from the beautiful bay, but who’s counting

Elnatan Rudolph

Elnatan is the rarest of public affairs consultants, capable of deploying senior level skill in government relations, communications and digital solutions strategy. He serves as managing partner of the firm’s New York City office, which was recently recognized by City & State as one of the highest grossing practices in the city. He also provides significant client service in Florida, both at the state level and at the local level, in Miami.

A master of campaign oversight and execution with two decades of professional experience, Elnatan oversees strategy, creative, and message development for clients that need a steady hand through a political contest, public relations campaign or public crisis. His work in public relations and crisis management blends creative and messaging strategy with innovative deployment of digital technologies. His clients include business organizations, governments, nonprofits, unions and high-profile public figures. Elnatan’s results have measurable impact. His recent work on behalf of a nonprofit in a national organization-wide vote-getting campaign more than tripled support compared to prior campaigns.

On behalf of an international union, his internal and external public relations work supported the passage of a historic collective bargaining agreement. He rapidly developed and executed on a highly-targeted and successful digital messaging strategy to block legislation that would have diverted hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools.

Elnatan’s career was launched while volunteering on the mayoral campaigns of Rudy Giuliani, after which he began consulting for state political races in the northeastern United States. Today, Elnatan has worked on well over 1,000 political campaigns and is well-known for being ahead of the curve in the implementation of innovative communication technologies, including text messaging for voter outreach.

Elnatan and his wife Yael have five children, and he divides his time between the Northeastern and Southeastern US.

1000 Jews of Florida will identify and support candidates who align with these values. Most important: they will hear from Jews in Florida not just in the aftermath of issues that challenge our communities, but we and they will benefit from proactive, ongoing relationship-building. When it comes to such relationships, the time for building bridges is not in the wake of a crisis, the time for building friendships is always NOW.

We therefore invite you to support 1000 Friends of Florida today.

Support 1000 Jews of Florida

Your support does more than promote the rights, freedoms, and safety of the Jewish community–it also gives you access to exclusive benefits by membership tier:

Friends of 1,000 Jews of Florida

Ambassador of 1,000 Jews of Florida

Preferred support options:

All contributors at the “Friends of 1000 Jews of Florida” level will be provided written information about the work we are doing in Florida, as well as regular policy updates.

All contributors at the “Ambassador of 1000 Jews of Florida” level will be offered access to personal briefings from 1000 Jews of Florida, and invitations to meet with candidates and elected officials throughout the year, in addition to the written information and updates.

1000 Jews of Florida is a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated committee and is not affiliated with any political party. The committee is an independent, autonomous organization, and is not a branch or subsidiary of any national or other political committee.

The purposes of the committee are:

To promote the interests of its members through political activities, contributions, support, campaigns, outreach and education.
To do any and all things necessary or desirable for the attainment of the committee’s purposes.