From Brooklyn Roots to Leading One of Florida’s Most Dynamic Cities
When Mayor Steven Meiner of Miami Beach sits down with South Florida Community Voice, his energy is unmistakable—a mix of conviction, community focus, and a vision for the future of one of Florida’s most recognizable cities.
Raised in Brooklyn and Staten Island, he recalls his strong Orthodox Jewish upbringing.
> “I went to Yeshiva Flatbush for 12 years. Growing up, we didn’t face much physical danger, but we did hear comments—even people driving by shouting about Hitler,” he remembers. “But the truth is, I never felt unsafe in America. Sports helped too—once I joined the local kids for baseball, everything changed.”
After law school, he built a career in private practice, then spent 17 years at the Securities and Exchange Commission before moving with his family to Miami Beach 18 years ago. Politics wasn’t part of the plan.
> “If you told me seven or eight years ago that I’d be mayor, I would have said you’re out of your mind,” he laughs. “It all started with wanting more police presence and better lighting in my neighborhood. I kept going to meetings, got frustrated nothing was changing, and finally decided the only way to fix it was to do it myself.”
That persistence led him to the city commission and eventually, in a crowded race, to the mayor’s office.
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Standing with the Jewish Community
Miami Beach is home to one of America’s most vibrant Jewish communities—by some estimates 30–40% of its 80,000 residents. The mayor credits that community with deep civic engagement.
> “When I’ve run for office, the voter turnout has been incredible. I’m very grateful for that support.”
He has also spoken out in moments of crisis. Following October 7th, Miami Beach saw demonstrations he describes as “pro-Hamas rallies.” Disturbed by increasingly aggressive behavior—including elderly Jews being surrounded and shouted at—he pushed through legislation requiring barricades and distance at protests.
> “If you breach the barricade, you get arrested. Some warned me it would bring 5,000 protesters. I said no—you’ll get five. And that’s exactly what happened.”
He emphasizes that most demonstrators weren’t locals.
> “Our community here—Jewish, Hispanic, across the board—has shown overwhelming solidarity. I wear sneakers with the Israeli flag, I wear my kippah proudly, and I get nothing but support walking the streets.”
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Building Bridges with Israel
Beyond safety, Mayor Meiner sees opportunity in deepening ties with Israel. Miami Beach recently hosted the first Israel Tech Week, drawing hundreds of startups.
> “These companies told me the same thing: they’re no longer looking at New York or California. They feel more comfortable here in South Florida.”
The city has since adopted a policy to recruit Israeli and Jewish-owned businesses to open satellite offices locally.
> “We don’t want to take companies away from Israel, but if they’re opening a U.S. branch, Miami Beach should be their first choice. Our goal is to make that process as smooth as possible.”
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Safety, Services, and Traffic
Asked what sets Miami Beach apart from neighboring cities, the mayor is quick to answer: safety.
> “I want Miami Beach to be the safest city in America. If you walk near synagogues or Jewish schools, you’ll see police everywhere. Tourists sometimes ask if something happened. I tell them no—it’s just how we operate. People must not only be safe, but feel safe.”
He is also tackling one of South Florida’s most frustrating challenges: traffic.
> “It’s seasonal, but during winter my phone blows up with complaints,” he admits.
His solution: a large-scale water taxi system connecting Miami Beach north, south, and across the bay.
> “We already have a vendor, and we’ve secured a $600,000 state grant. I want to see it running within a year. Long-term highway projects take decades—we need immediate relief.”
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Looking North: Lessons from New York
The mayor keeps a close eye on his hometown, New York City, where he sees worrying trends.
> “I hear from friends and Israeli tech leaders: Jews in New York are tucking in their Stars of David, hiding their identity. In Florida, that doesn’t happen. Here, people walk up to me on the street and say, ‘Mayor, I’m with you.’”
He contrasts his approach with policies in New York.
> “I talk about free water taxis to reduce traffic. That’s very different from ideas like rent freezes or city-run supermarkets. Those policies failed in other countries. Many of our Hispanic residents came here to escape exactly that. Florida offers something different: freedom, security, and opportunity.”
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A City on the Rise
Despite challenges, Mayor Meiner believes Miami Beach and South Florida are entering a period of major growth.
> “We’re already seeing families move here full-time. Businesses are relocating. It’s a blessing. Yes, more people means more traffic, but it also means more vitality, more jobs, more opportunity. In the next five to ten years, we’re going to reap the benefits of that in a big way.”
As he looks ahead, his vision is ambitious yet pragmatic: a city that is safe, welcoming, and positioned as a hub for Jewish life and Israeli innovation in America.
> “Our mission is to keep Miami Beach strong—for every resident—and to set the standard for how a city supports Israel, fights antisemitism, and builds a better future.”
