C4K - Co-name 28th St. for Rabbi Grosz

Committee Referrals - C4 K

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

I would like to refer the above referenced item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (the “Committee”) to consider the co-naming of the portion of 28th Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue, in honor of late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz, pursuant to Section 82- 503 of the City Code.

Whenever a request is made to co-name streets or portions thereof, Section 82-503 of the City Code requires the sponsor to submit the proposal in writing to an appropriate committee (in this case, the PSNQLC), which shall include the following: (1) the street, or portion thereof, to be co- named; (2) the proposed co-name of the street, or portion thereof; (3) the reason for the request; and (4) a factual summary confirming that the proposed person falls under the specific criteria outlined in a relevant subsection of 82-503 of the City Code.

On April 28, 2023, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2023-4548, amending Section 82-503 of the City Code to provide additional criteria and procedures for the co-naming of streets in honor of a deceased person who served as the spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City who also made significant civic contributions to the City.

Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov (Yoikel) Grosz was a revered spiritual leader, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather; a survivor whose unwavering faith and resilience shaped a life of extraordinary purpose.

Born into a very strong, religious family deeply rooted in Torah, love, and tradition, his early years were filled with the warmth of learning in cheder and the strength of faith. However, the world around him soon crumbled, and at just nine years old, he was thrust into the horrors of the Holocaust. Taken from his home and stripped of his freedom, he endured the unimaginable suffering of Bergen-Belsen and Terezín (Theresienstadt). After liberation, young Yoikel Grosz crossed war-torn Europe to reunite with his family—an act of sheer determination and yet another miracle in his remarkable journey.

Immigrating to America, Reb Yaakov rebuilt his life with love and faith, marrying his beloved wife, Bella, and raising a beautiful family—Suzy, Rafael, and Dina—instilling in them the values of Torah and chesed (loving-kindness). He built a successful business that provided for many Holocaust survivors, embodying his lifelong mission to uplift others.

Settling in Miami Beach, he became a pillar of his community, known for his profound Torah scholarship, boundless compassion, and steadfast commitment to his shul. His faith was not merely a belief—it was a way of life. He found solace in davening and in the pages of the Gemara, always eager to share wisdom and inspiration. He lived by example, teaching that holiness is not

the absence of struggle, but the ability to find Hashem within it. Despite witnessing the worst of humanity, his words were never filled with hate, but with a solemn determination to build a better, more compassionate world.

With the naming of the portion of 28th Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue, in honor of late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz, we will forever enshrine his legacy, ensuring that his name and his values will continue to inspire generations to come. His memory is a blessing, and his impact will never be forgotten.

I respectfully submit that Rabbi Grosz is worthy of our consideration for a naming opportunity to mark his many contributions to as a spiritual leader in Miami Beach, and I urge my colleagues to support this item. Should you have any questions or concerns about any of the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact me.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Middle Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: PSNQLC - Co-name Portion of 28th Street in Honor of Late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz. (Fernandez)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)