What does it take to lead a major American city with integrity and unapologetic clarity during a time of rising antisemitism, civic unrest and political cowardice?
In this episode of “Standpoint” with Gabe Groisman, Florida communal leader and former mayor of Bal Harbour, welcomes Steven Meiner, mayor of Miami Beach, Fla., for a conversation about the state of America’s cities and what real leadership looks like on the ground.
Meiner opens up about his fight to keep Miami Beach safe and livable, even when that means taking heat from the media and activists. He shares how his city cracked down on chaos during spring break, tackled aggressive protests following Oct. 7, 2023, and enacted legal measures to preserve public safety while protecting free speech. The conversation dives into the complexities of being an Orthodox Jew in public office and confronting antisemitism at the local level.
The episode also explores his role in launching a groundbreaking Israeli resilience fund focused on agricultural self-sufficiency in the face of geopolitical threats. The two leaders also compare challenges facing American and Israeli cities; discuss political extremism in places like New York; and examine the shifting map of Jewish migration to South Florida.
