A former Gator who climbed her way up the political ladder returned to Gainesville on Friday to address the local Jewish community.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke to students and community members about staying connected in the Jewish community and recognizing the importance of Jewish American Heritage Month.
Wasserman Schultz said Gainesville is her second favorite place after her South Florida hometown. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from UF, and she was a student senator and member of the College Democrats.
Soon after graduating, Wasserman Schultz became the first Jewish woman from Florida elected into Congress in 2004. She said she carries her pride in Judaism and Israel proudly and was influential in creating Jewish American Heritage Month, which is celebrated in May.
She said it’s important for the UF Jewish community to get involved around campus.
“I think it’s really important that we instill that activism,” Wasserman Schultz said.
Wasserman Schultz also spoke about the honor of traveling to Israel with President Barack Obama as the liaison between the White House and the Jewish community.
During the Q&A, people asked about combating anti-Semitism, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech and advice as a female leader.
Aaron Hubberman, a UF political science freshman, said he was impressed by her work ethic.
“She’s showing (hard work) by climbing the political ladder,” Hubberman, 19, said.
Wasserman Schultz interacted with students and stressed what an important force government is in their lives.
“Stay engaged, stay involved,” she said in her closing. “We should always continue the commitment to paying it forward.”
[A version of this story ran on page 4 on 3/16/2015 under the headline “Florida congresswoman talks Jewish heritage, leadership”]
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks to students and community members about staying connected in the Jewish community in UF Hillel on Friday night. In 2004, Wasserman Schultz became the first Jewish congresswoman from Florida elected to Congress.
