R7I - Co-name 28th St as Rabbi Grosz

Resolutions - R7 I

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

2:00 p.m. Public Hearing

RECOMMENDATION

The City Administration (“Administration”) recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (“City Commission”) adopt the Resolution, accepting the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (“PSNQLC” or “Committee”), at its May 14, 2025 meeting, to co-name the portion of 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue in the City of Miami Beach (“City”) as “Rabbi Yisroel Grosz Way” in honor of the late Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov (Yoikel) Grosz (“Rabbi Grosz”).

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the April 23, 2025 City Commission meeting, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the City Commission referred an agenda item (C4 K) to the PSNQLC to discuss co-naming the portion of 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue in honor of the late Rabbi Grosz.

Based upon the information provided in the referral memorandum Rabbi Grosz was a revered spiritual leader, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather; a Holocaust 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 (9) years old, he was thrust into the horrors of the Holocaust. Taken from his home and stripped of his freedom, Rabbi Grosz endured the unimaginable suffering of Bergen-Belsen and Terezín (Theresienstadt). After liberation, young Rabbi 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, Rabbi Grosz 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). Rabbi Grosz built a successful business that provided for many Holocaust survivors, embodying his lifelong mission to uplift others.

Settling in the City of Miami Beach, Rabbi Grosz became a pillar of his community, known for his profound Torah scholarship, boundless compassion, and steadfast commitment to his shul. Rabbi Grosz’s faith was not merely a belief, it was a way of life. Rabbi Grosz found solace in davening

and in the pages of the Gemara, always eager to share wisdom and inspiration. Rabbi Grosz 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, Rabbi Grosz’s words were never filled with hate, but with a solemn determination to build a better, more compassionate world.

ANALYSIS

Under the existing criteria in Section 82-503 of the City of Miami Beach Code of Ordinances (“City Code”), City streets may only be co-named in honor of (1) Miami Beach police officers who died or were killed in the line of duty; (2) a public facility located on the street to be co-named; (3) private not-for-profit organizations with significant historic value to the City and associated with structures which have a significant historical value or architectural significance to the City; (4) geographic areas within the City; (5) a commercial establishment that has been in business in the City of Miami Beach for 100 or more years and which is located on the street to be co-named; (6) deceased person who served as the spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City of Miami Beach for 35 or more years and resided in the City of Miami Beach (expired on July 1, 2019); (7) a deceased person who is known for their role as a gay-rights pioneer and as one of the first openly LGBTQ people ever elected to public office in the United States (expired on May 1, 2022); (8) a deceased historical figure who was instrumental in helping Latin American countries achieve independence from the Spanish Empire (expired on July 1, 2022); (9) a prominent Jewish figure who made significant civic contributions to Jewish history and/or Jewish- related initiatives (expired on September 30, 2022); (10) a deceased Cuban-American artist who made vast contributions to Latin music history and culture (expired on January 31, 2023); (11) a deceased photographer who documented the life and residents of Miami Beach (expired on March 1, 2023); (12) a deceased spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City of Miami Beach who also made significant civic contributions to the City (set to automatically expire in May 2025); (13) a Grammy-award winning singer, actress, songwriter, author, philanthropist, and businesswoman who made extraordinary contributions to music and culture in the United States and internationally (set to automatically expire on July 31, 2025); (14) a deceased internationally renowned art collector who significantly contributed to the City's arts and culture (set to automatically expire on July 31, 2025); (15) a notable woman who made significant contributions to the civic and/or political fabric of Miami Beach (set to automatically expire on July 31, 2025); (16) a dedicated athlete, world-renowned streak runner, and community icon who made significant contributions to the wellness culture of Miami Beach (set to automatically expire on July 31, 2025); and (17) an individual who made lasting and significant contributions to the Miami Beach community through healthcare philanthropy, and arts and culture (set to automatically expire on March 31, 2028).

Whenever a request is made to co-name streets, or portions thereof, in the City, Section 82- 503(c)(2) of the City Code requires the sponsor to submit the proposal in writing to an appropriate committee (in this case, 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 Section 82-503(c)(1)(a) of the City Code.

The proposal to co-name the portion of 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue in honor of the late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz falls under the specific criteria outlined in subsection 82- 503(c)(1)(a)(12) of the City Code, a “deceased spiritual leader of a prominent religious institution in the City of Miami Beach who also made significant civic contributions to the City.”

At the May 14, 2025 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee discussed this item and passed a motion recommending to co-name the portion of 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue as “Rabbi Yisroel Grosz Way” in honor of the late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz and that the Administration bring a Resolution accepting the Committee’s recommendation to the May 21, 2025 City Commission meeting for consideration.

Pursuant to the Miami-Dade County (“County”) Code, the co-naming/re-naming of public streets in Miami-Dade County, including within incorporated municipalities, requires a Resolution from the local governing body (in this case, the City Commission) where the street is located. Therefore, following City Commission approval, the proposed co-naming would need to be sponsored by a County Commissioner and approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”) via a Resolution.

Subsequent to BCC approval, the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department staff would coordinate with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”) on the fabrication and installation of the new street co-name signs.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The cost of fabricating and installing two (2) standard street co-designation signs would be approximately $500. Should the City Commission wish to move forward with co-naming 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue in honor of the late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz, the sign fabrication and installation work would be performed by DTPW; and the City would reimburse DTPW for the costs incurred. The funding for fabrication and installation of standard street co- designation signage can be absorbed within the Transportation and Mobility Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.

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

$500 / 106-9615-000349-30-403-529-00-00-00-

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the City Commission adopt the Resolution co-naming the portion of 28 Street from Sheridan Avenue to Prairie Avenue as “Rabbi Yisroel Grosz Way” in honor of the late Rabbi Yisroel Grosz.

Applicable Area

Mid 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): N/A

Department

Transportation and Mobility

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

2:00 p.m. Accept Rec/Co-name 28th St. from Sheridan to Prairie Ave, “Rabbi Yisroel Grosz Way.” (AF) TR 5/7

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)