The State of Hallandale Beach - Part II: We Kept Working on The Plan and The Plan Worked By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper May 24, 2024 Share Last week I shared Part I of my State of The City Address ( Read Part 1: https://www.southfloridasuntimes.com/news/the-state-of-hallandale-beach ). where I left off was when our City Manager Dr. Earle was hired to address the many challenges we all faced as a city and nation. We continued to work with our commission under some unprecedented issues. The following is Part II of the State of The City Address. From 2020-2023 here is a snapshot: insolvency, global pandemic, zoom meetings in PJs, supply chain issues, the great resignation, Russia invasion of Ukraine, recession, inflation, and civil unrest. There is one good thing happened, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. but now that's over. Remember, what could ever go wrong after establishing a plan? Looking back, it was like playing Galactic. Our plan was being executed but outside forces continued to adversely impact us. We kept working on the plan and the plan worked! So, where are we? Fiscal stability! Our Budget was balanced without the use of any reserves. Which are over 30 million. Our staffing levels have increased even with the great resignation. This did not come without costs. We performed a classification and compensation study to become competitive with the market, but finding employees for various departments is still a huge concern. Our Number 1 priority remains your safety! Chief Michel has continued to fill positions with the hopes of having them all filled. Just last week two more officers were sworn in. Due to retirees, employees transferring and the gap between new hires, there will be vacancies, but the Department is performing at a level well above any expectations. In addition, he has been tapping into our retired officers who can work part time. Their institutional knowledge is priceless. I for one pushed for a rehire policy years ago and I am incredibly happy we are not losing officers that know our city and residents and can help train new officers. License Plate Readers and Cameras Systems have been expanded with a direct connection to the real time crime center located at the Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) in Fort Lauderdale. Our Police Department achieved reaccreditation and in our most recent audit it was found to have the fastest response times in the nation. Promises Made Promises Kept. Our Broward Sheriffs Office Fire Division, while working with our Department of Public Works has upgraded all our fire suppression around the city and now has a robust hydrant testing program. Completing these improvements has finally pushed our rating to Class 1. This investment not only increases public safety it helps to reduce insurance costs. Again, Promises Made Promises Kept. Our Sanitation Division was studied, and we decided to keep it in house. Those of you that have heard me speak know I do not believe in contracting all services out. We should be able to provide services just as well as a for-profit company. In our case revenue comes back to our residents in the form of competitive fees and quicker response times to customer complaints. The other value added is in the event of emergencies we have our work force to secure and protect our community. Cutting costs without cutting services. Promises Made Promises kept! I hope you continue to follow my speech in next week’s column, I will continue with Part III. I can be reached at: jcooper@cohb.org . Or: joycooper@aol.com or Facebook Mayor Joy Cooper. You can always call me on my office number at: (954) 457-1318. Or Call/Text me at: (954) 632-5700 Working for you! Always have! Always will! < Previous News Next News >

The 2025 Aventura Broadway Concert Series: Featuring The Original Stars Of The Broadway blockbusters “Rent,” “Hairspray” And “Jersey Boys” Thu Jun 20 2024 16:16:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Don’t Overlook Key Coverage Gaps, Start 2026 Right By Reviewing Your Insurance Policy South Florida Sun Times Jan 28, 2026 As Families Are Getting Settled In The New Year, AAA Experts Suggest Adding One Crucial Financial Task To The Top Of The List: Reviewing Their Insurance Coverage. While Health And Savings Goals Are Common Priorities For 2026, Ensuring That Your Home, Auto And Assets Are Adequately Protected Is A Vital Step Toward Long-Term Financial Security. “Many homeowners renew their policies automatically, overlooking how their lives and homes have changed over the past year,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “This 'set it and forget it' approach can create significant coverage gaps. A comprehensive insurance review ensures policy limits align with current needs and replacement costs." Key Moments When Homeowners Should Revisit Their Coverage Home Additions or Renovations – Projects such as kitchen or bathroom upgrades, finishing a basement, replacing the roof, or installing a pool can significantly increase a home’s value. Policyholders should confirm that their dwelling coverage limits reflect these improvements. Recent roof replacements may qualify homeowners for lower premiums. Life Changes That Affect Coverage – Major milestones can shift a household’s insurance needs, yet many families forget to update their policies accordingly. Changes such as marriage, divorce, teenage drivers, adult children moving out, or welcoming a new baby can influence liability considerations, personal property needs, and eligibility for certain discounts. Keeping household occupants accurate ensures the policy reflects the home’s current risk profile. Acquiring High‑Value Items – New valuables, such as watches, jewelry, fine art, electronics, photography equipment, firearms, musical instruments, silverware, or high‑end furniture, may exceed standard personal property limits. Many of these items require a scheduled personal property rider to ensure full protection. Working From Home – With remote and hybrid work becoming increasingly common, homeowners should consider coverage for their home office equipment. Standard policies typically cap reimbursement for business equipment at $2,500, which may not cover computers, monitors, routers, and other essential devices. Upgrades That Lower Risk and May Earn Discounts – Certain improvements not only protect the home but may also reduce insurance premiums. These include: • Updated plumbing or electrical systems • Smoke detectors and fire alarms • Security systems and smart home monitoring • Water leak detection devices • Other home protection technologies that reduce the likelihood or severity of losses Ensuring Adequate Replacement Value – Homeowners should verify that their dwelling coverage reflects the current cost to rebuild, not the original purchase price. Construction and labor costs continue to fluctuate, making it essential to confirm that coverage is sufficient to fully replace the home after a major loss. Don’t Overlook Auto Coverage Just like homeowners’ policies, auto insurance needs can shift over time, yet many drivers renew without reviewing their coverage. “Changes such as buying a new vehicle, adding a teen driver, moving to a new neighborhood, or driving more (or less) than in previous years can all affect premiums and protection levels,” Jenkins said. AAA recommends confirming that liability limits are adequate, optional coverages like uninsured motorist protection are up to date, and discounts for safe driving, good student discount for teens, telematics like AAADrive, or multi-vehicle households are being applied. AAA Triple Check®: A Simple Review to Catch Costly Gaps AAA offers a free Triple Check® policy review for both auto and home insurance that’s available to everyone, whether you’re insured with AAA or another provider. The Triple Check® process ensures your coverage is tailored to your needs and competitively priced by: • Identifying potential coverage gaps to protect what matters most. • Assessing recent life changes that may impact your insurance needs. • Verifying discounts you may qualify for. • Uncovering opportunities to save across multiple policies. “Utilizing AAA’ s Triple Check® for a quick annual review can help families avoid costly oversights and take advantage of new savings opportunities, making it a simple resolution with a big impact,” added Jenkins. “Your home is likely your biggest investment, so starting 2026 with the right coverage is one of the smartest resolutions you can make.” For more details on AAA products and services, AAA members and consumers can connect with a AAA Insurance agent at their local branch or visit: www.AAA.com/Insurance . About AAA - The Auto Club Group The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 65 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app. Visit: www.AAA.com . And follow us on Social Media. Previous Next

Old Town Untapped Returns With A New Season Of Music, Art And Community South Florida Sun Times Oct 1, 2026 The City Of Pompano Beach’s Popular Old Town Untapped Cultural Arts & Music Block Party Returns For A New Season On Friday, October 2nd, 2026, From 6:00 p.m. To 10:00 p.m., Bringing An Evening Of Live Music, Contemporary Art, Local Creativity, Food And Community To The Heart Of Downtown Pompano Beach. “Untapped is where Pompano Beach takes off its calendar and puts on its personality. On one night, you can follow the sound of a bass line into a gallery, stumble upon an artist whose work stops you in your tracks, and end up sharing the evening with someone you’ve never met. That kind of beautiful collision is what makes Untapped special—unique.”
— Ty Tabing, Cultural Affairs Director, City of Pompano Beach

The FREE, family-friendly monthly event takes place every first Friday of the month in the area of NE 1st Street and N. Flagler Avenue, near the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA), 41 Northeast 1st Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060. Guests are invited to explore gallery exhibitions, meet and discover the work of local artists, enjoy food trucks and experience live performances throughout the evening. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. Free parking is available. Opening the new Untapped season on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 is Mama Fuma, the collaborative groove project of bassist Ariel DLP and vocalist Nikki Guerra. Formerly known as Guerra Grooves, Mama Fuma draws on their diverse musical influences to create high-energy original grooves and feel-good mashups infused with twice the funk and all the soul. You can REGISTER for Untapped at: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/untapped Adding to the evening’s creative energy, “Into Neverland” opens Friday, October 2nd, 2026 at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center. The exhibition continues through Thursday, December 17th, 2026 and presents a constellation of memories expressed through dreaming bodies, found objects and colorful motifs. Inspired by personal moments and familiar places—including raking pecans at a grandfather’s house, watching clouds at sunset, tossing rocks along railroad tracks, a grandmother’s quilt, the tumbling of clothes in a laundromat dryer and late-night cafes—the exhibition explores connections with cherished objects, inhabited places and encounters with strangers. Through paintings, books and floating installations, these memories come together to create an evocative realm somewhere between recollection and imagination. The Friday, October 2nd, 2026 opening reception for “Into Neverland” begins at 6:00 p.m., giving Untapped visitors an opportunity to experience the exhibition as part of the evening’s broader celebration of art and culture. The evening will also feature docent-led art tours from 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the exhibitions and the artists. Registration is available through the Untapped event listing. You can register for "Into Neverland" at: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/into-neverland-2 A Second Exhibition Opens Friday, October 9th, 2026 The following Friday, October 9th, 2026 the arts calendar continues with the opening of “Experiments & Accidents” at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. The exhibition runs through Wednesday, January 6th, 2026 with an opening reception at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9th, 2026. In Experiments & Accidents, artist Mark Viau explores the creative tension between intention and unpredictability. The collection begins with deliberate experimentation, control and purpose before embracing unexpected shifts, spontaneous marks and unplanned discoveries that redirect the work and make it more alive. The exhibition draws a parallel between artistic process and life itself: although we make plans with intention, some of the most meaningful growth and discovery can emerge from the unexpected detours, disruptions and happy accidents along the way. Experiments & Accidents celebrates the freedom to surrender to the unplanned and discover what can emerge from it.

 You can register For "Experiments & Accidents at: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/experiments-accidents Together, the October events launch a vibrant fall arts season in Pompano Beach, connecting live music, contemporary art, local artists and community through two consecutive Friday evenings. Old Town Untapped — Friday, October 2nd, 2026 Mama Fuma is scheduled for Friday, October 2nd, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Northeast 1st Street & North Flagler Avenue in Downtown Pompano Beach, near the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center
41 Northeast 1st Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. The event is FREE and family-friendly.
 Take time to register for the event for a chance to be entered into a monthly giveaway for an event of your choice. Docent-led Art Tours will be held from 8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Into Neverland Bailey Contemporary Arts Center
 • Friday, October 2nd, 2026 – Thursday, December 17th, 2026
• Opening Reception: Friday, October 2nd, 2026 │ 6:00 p.m.
 The address is: 41 Northeast 1st Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060. Experiments & Accidents Pompano Beach Cultural Center
 • Friday, October 9th, 2026 – Wednesday, January 6th, 2027
• Opening Reception: Friday, October 9th, 2026 │ 6:00 p.m.
 The address is: 50 West Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 For more information about Old Town Untapped and upcoming arts and cultural programming, visit the Pompano Beach Arts website at: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/ About Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department, operating as Pompano Beach Arts, is to provide cultural programming that includes visual arts, digital media, music, film, theater, dance, and public art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the greater South Florida area. The department programs and manages the City’s premiere cultural arts venues, including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Ali Cultural Arts Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City’s Public Art Program and the Artists in Residence (AiR) initiative. Previous Next

‘Following the Science,’ or the COVID Narrative? Wed Jan 05 2022 06:30:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s 15th Anniversary Season Forever Yiddish 3, God And The Holocaust, Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? And Many More Jewish Connection News Aug 15, 2025 The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center (AACC) Kicks Off Its 15Th Anniversary Season, Celebrating A Legacy Of Enriching The Vibrant Community Of Aventura, Known As The City Of Excellence. Since Opening Its Doors, The Aacc Has Welcomed More Than 375,000 Guests And Presented 437 Sold-Out Performances, Becoming A Cultural Cornerstone In South Florida. With A Commitment To Inclusivity And Diversity, Its Programming Has Included Sensory-Friendly Experiences And Multilingual Performances In Spanish, French, Arabic, Turkish And Haitian Creole. As It Enters This Milestone Year, The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Continues To Elevate Aventura’s Cultural, Educational, Institutional And Artistic Landscape, Promising A Season Filled With Exciting, Unforgettable Moments In One Of The City’s Most Cherished Spaces. Forever Yiddish 3 - Songs and Stories from the Shtetl Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Join an evocative evening of Yiddish classics that transport audiences to a world both distant and ever-present. Forever Yiddish presents Songs and Stories from the Shtetl on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Yitzhak Fried returns with a new program of soul-stirring Yiddish songs and heartfelt interpretations. Born and raised in post-war Austria, Fried absorbed the language and melodies of his heritage from his parents’ home. Accompanied by acclaimed pianist Alan Mason who has performed on stages around the world. Fried guides audiences on an emotional journey through stories and songs that are at times joyful, at times sorrowful, and always infused with a touch of humor. Proceeds from the performance will benefit Leket Israel, the country’s leading food rescue organization. God and the Holocaust Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, YI Love Jewish Founder and CEO Avi Hoffman joins Maestro Aaron Kula and the Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra to present a powerful multimedia musical event examining the relationship between Jews and God as portrayed in Holocaust literature. God and the Holocaust comes to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. This event draws from the writings of renowned Yiddish playwrights, poets and authors, featuring poignant songs from that era in a moving musical experience. Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. As a special 15th Anniversary Season event, the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is thrilled to welcome back the first show to perform on its stage in 2010. The City of Aventura and Yi Love Jewish present Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. In this award-winning solo musical performance, Hoffman explores his Jewish roots and has discovered that all audiences can identify with the humor and music of his upbringing. Jews and non-Jews alike join Hoffman on a journey through his history, relating stories of his family’s immigrant background and the culture within which he was raised. He has discovered the ‘lost treasures’ of Jewish comedy and music, the songs and comedy routines that entertained hundreds of thousands of people from the Catskills to Miami Beach, from Carnegie Hall to Yiddish Vaudeville. Hoffman serves as a bridge between the old world and the new as he recreates and rediscovers the wonderful music, comedy and pathos of the extraordinary period of creativity that began with the immigrants and continues till today. Avi Hoffman’s Still Jewish After All These Years Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. The City of Aventura and Yi Love Jewish present Avi Hoffman’s brand-new production that will take audiences on a nostalgic, fun-filled journey through his extensive and entertaining life and works. It's another night of laughter and celebration during Avi Hoffman’s Still Jewish After All These Years on Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. His humorous and moving encounters with theater luminaries will have audiences laughing through their tears. Hoffman has entertained millions of people with his humor, his pathos and his passionate singing voice. According to the New York Times, "The precious truth about Avi Hoffman is that his shows rest on a solid foundation of scholarship. Mr. Hoffman is a teacher and a dedicated preservationist of culture. But like so many sages, he disguises his lessons as entertainment. He comes to the stage armed with books, songs, dances and jokes...” His extensive resume includes his groundbreaking productions of “Songs of Paradise” with the famous Broadway Impresario, Joe Papp, and the New York productions of “The Golden Land” and “The Rise of David Levinsky.” From New York to Los Angeles, from the stage to the big screen, Hoffman has received numerous awards and great acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Yakov Smirnoff Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. After escaping the communist Soviet Union in 1977, Yakov Smirnoff came to the United States with nothing but a dream. He won America’s heart and now brings his signature comedy back to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center to round up the 2025/2026 Aventura Comedy Series on Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. presented by the City of Aventura. Yakov humbly began working as a bartender at the famous Grossinger’s Catskill Resort in New York, where he started telling jokes to customers each night before even learning the language. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. Smirnoff then made a daring move to Hollywood, where he grew his passion for comedy. His lovable view of life through the eyes of a poor immigrant captured the hearts of America. Smirnoff soared to the top of the comedy world, performing on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” and countless other television programs, including as a regular character on “Night Court.” He became a star of his show, named after his famous catchphrase, “What a Country!” VIP tickets are available as an add-on and include a post-show meet and greet/photo opportunity with Smirnoff. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. Please note that not all events scheduled for the 2025/2026 Season are currently on sale and additional performances will be added throughout the season. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. Previous Next

Hallandale Beach Chamber of Commerce’s State Of The City Address Part 1 By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper Aug 27, 2026 Hallandale Beach Chamber Of Commerce, It is always a pleasure to be with our Chamber of Commerce! A special thanks to Norma English, Hallandale Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO and all the board members and Gulfstream Park for their hospitality! It was great to be accompanied by all our community partners. Joined by our City Staff who are all wonderful public servants under the leadership of Dr. Jeremy Earle. Other constitutional officers; City Attorney Jennifer Marino and City Clerk Jenorgen Guillen, thank you for being in attendance. By investing their time, talent, and resources in our City! City Staff continues to inspire me as Mayor to listen to Lead and Deliver! I want to share where we are as a city, the challenges we continue to address, and, most importantly, the future of our great hometown, Hallandale Beach. Global Events - Local Impacts Cities are where people live, work, and play. Mayors and commissioners are the government closest to the people. And for years, every survey has shown that local leadership matters. Local leaders rank as the most trusted elected officials. We deliver vital services that people depend on. We see our constituents on a day-to-day basis, whether it's in a park, at a restaurant, or, yes, in the grocery store. As elected officials we cannot, however, ignore the fact that what happens around the world eventually reaches us here at home. The war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continue to affect energy costs, supply chains, construction costs, and the global economy as a whole. This unrest has not just economic impacts but social and political impacts worldwide and right here at home. These issues have become topics everyone Is talking about. They have not just hit our pocketbooks but our society politically and socially. I recently had the chance to visit Israel as part of a delegation of North American and European elected officials invited by the Israel Consul General Zuri here in Miami. What struck me was Israel's continued resiliency, progress, and transformation, even while facing war. I've written a series in the Sun Times about the trip but I wanted to share two highlights. The security briefing at the Institute for National Security from the Managing Director, Brigadier General Tamir Hayman; he was also the Former Chief of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate. One message was loud and clear from the General. Israel will continue to operate as a sovereign nation defending its borders and eliminating the threats to their peace. The second item was walking through the memorial Nova Festival site, only kilometers from Gaza, and seeing the Tekuma Car Wall. Both had a profound impact on me. While we were there a bomb went off. Our IDF guide didn't stop mid-sentence, but when he finished he said “that it was outgoing, it was a warning shot.” Until anyone has visited or experienced the horrific war zone and the results of October 7th, you truly cannot grasp why Israel must continue fighting and protecting their borders from these threats. And every other country would do the same. As a proud Jewish woman, it caused me to reflect deeply on the terrible human cost of war, and the difficult decisions nations face in trying to establish lasting security and peace. At the same time, it is deeply troubling to witness the rise in antisemitism. Yes, we all have let our guards down while well-funded terrorist groups and extremists have sown seeds of hate. After witnessing the resilience of Israel and its ability to bounce back, go about its daily life, thrive, and create a vibrant state, I have been renewed in my commitment to peace and hope. Obviously, we are not blind to the economic consequences. Our economy was struggling with affordability issues way before this war was even started. At the Florida League of Cities, I had the opportunity to hear Doris Kearns Goodwin speak. She is a Harvard graduate and an esteemed scholar of history. She was selected by Lyndon B. Johnson to serve and study alongside him. She spoke about how important history is and how we lack a robust education system that is accurate and grounded in fact. More importantly, she discussed how we bounce back and how leaders are resilient during times of trouble. Each president seems to face a challenge to which they must rise. Leadership makes a difference. She spoke about the fact that there have been Revolutions, Civil Wars, World Wars, the Great Depression, Recessions, the Civil Rights Movement, 9/11. Over the past 250 years, America has made it through. The struggles did not destroy America they actually made her stronger. Energy matters. Shipping matters. Supply chains matter. And disruptions thousands of miles away can eventually affect the cost of building a road, operating a business, or completing an Infrastructure project right here in Hallandale Beach. Despite these pressures, cities remain remarkably resilient. Cities are hubs of innovation and increasingly finding new solutions to climate, transportation, technology, and economic challenges. Unlike our counterparts on the county, state, or national level, we live and must be accountable directly to the people we serve daily. Despite global unrest there is great news for our area in South Florida. The greater Miami region is now ranked among the leading global metropolitan economies, moving from 30 in the world to 24 this year and Hallandale Beach is positioned right in the middle of that opportunity. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: MayorJoyCooperHB. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next

CORSAIR Kitchen + Bar's The 52: Aventura's Not-To-Be-Missed Sunday Brunch Now Better Than Ever Thu Sep 05 2024 16:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

It’s a Marvelous Memorable March: At the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Fri Feb 23 2024 17:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

United States Ambassador William Taylor Shares An Update On Russia’s War On Ukraine By Linda Chase - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 United States Ambassador William Taylor is a diplomat, government official and former military officer. He currently serves as Vice President of the Russian and European Center at the United States Institute of Peace. From 2006 to 2009 he served as United States Ambassador to Ukraine, and as Chargé D'affaires to Ukraine from June 2019 to January 2020. On Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 12:30 p.m., Ambassador Taylor will lecture at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. He will also give a presentation at FAU’s Jupiter campus on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. During our conversation, Ambassador Taylor explained what needs to be done to end the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “A peaceful agreement between Russia and Ukraine is clearly going to have to be initiated between the two nations. Only those two nations can forge and agree to negotiations. Ukrainians need to convince the Russians that they cannot win on the battlefield and all of Ukraine’s allies (including the United States) need to support it. If the Russians can be convinced that they can’t win, they will be motivated to come to the negotiating table. Over 780,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during the conflict. The Ukrainians will not sacrifice their soldiers the same way Putin has and they (Ukrainians) will never stop fighting. Russia started the invasion and it must stop with the Russians coming to the table. Negotiations have still not been reached between the countries. Ambassador Taylor explained how the Russian-Ukraine conflict affects global security. “The Russian invasion is a challenge to the security of the US, Europe and all nations. Russia is trying to establish a precedent where a large, powerful, nuclear armed nation can invade its non-nuclear smaller neighbor and get away with it. That has dramatic significant implications for every nation around the world. We have a moral obligation to realize what the Russians are doing to Ukrainian civilians is just wrong.” Ambassador Taylor reflected on the optimism of the Ukrainians despite nearly three years of ongoing conflict. “Since the big war started on February 24th, 2022, I have been to Ukraine several times and have been amazed by the heroism displayed by the Ukrainians and their leader since the invasion began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared from the start of the invasion (over 1,000 days ago) that Ukraine will win this war. When Ukrainians push forward aggressively their morality goes way up. Their determination is to win this war. They understand that if Russia wins there is no Ukraine. After more than 1,000 days, Ukrainians are tired, but their will to survive keeps them motivated.” For more information regarding the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at FAU, visit: https://olli.fau.edu/ollifau/category/category.aspx Previous Next

Education, Business And Community Leaders - To Be Honored At Broward Education Foundation’s 2024 Hall Of Fame Award Breakfast Thu Nov 14 2024 18:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Christmas In July Thu Jul 20 2023 16:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)