WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) welcomed Tampa resident and a leading voice in the local Jewish community Rochelle “Shelly” Walk to Washington for President Isaac Herzog of the State of Israel’s address to a Joint Session of Congress following a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

Shelly Walk is a passionate volunteer, an accomplished lawyer and a skilled businesswoman who has helped strengthen Tampa’s Jewish community through her leadership with the Tampa Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and Federation – including playing a critical role in opening the Shannon and Bryan Glazer JCC in Tampa. Shelly has been recognized many times for her unwavering commitment to improving the Tampa Bay area for all – including the JCCs and Federation’s Tikkun Olam Award, the organization’s highest honor.

“I was honored to attend Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to the Congress alongside Shelly Walk, a leading voice for the Tampa Bay area’s Jewish community,” said Castor. “Shelly has used her legal expertise, passion for service and remarkable ability to bring people together and advance important causes.”

Castor continued, “It was good to hear President Herzog underscore the importance of the strong and enduring alliance between the United States and the State of Israel. Our two nations share a unique and important relationship – built on a foundation of democratic values – that is critical to both countries’ safety and security. As President Herzog said, we both have democracy in our DNA.”

“I was honored to join Rep. Castor for President Herzog’s address to Congress today, and I’m grateful for the work we’ve done, and we continue to do, together for the benefit of our Jewish community in Tampa,” said Shelly Walk. “Rep. Castor truly understands and appreciates that, as President Herzog stated, a strong Israel makes for a stronger United States.”

Photos from the event can be found here.