Hallandale Beach honors mayor and recognizes cultural and social‑work contributions

Mayor Joy F. Cooper was honored at the March 4 commission meeting with several proclamations recognizing her leadership against antisemitism and her work in strengthening ties with Sderot, Israel. The recognition included a reading that recounted the creation of a sister‑city relationship with Sderot and the renaming of Southeast 5th Street as Sderot Way.

Family members and community partners addressed the commission in tribute. A family member described the mayor’s steadfast leadership on Holocaust remembrance and anti‑hate initiatives. Several veterans, Rolling Thunder members and local residents thanked the mayor for public‑safety support and for staging solidarity events.

The commission also issued a proclamation recognizing Shen Yun performing arts for bringing Chinese classical dance and music to Broward County and noted the group’s history of artistic exile and threats; a Shen Yun representative described a bomb threat against the Broward Center in February and thanked the city for its support.

Finally, the commission proclaimed March 2026 National Social Workers Month and recognized the Human Services Department for serving roughly 2,501 clients in the prior year. Chanel Jackson, assistant director of Human Services, and staff social workers described the department’s programs for seniors, youth and general services.

These proclamations were presented early in the meeting; speakers used the opportunity to thank staff and volunteers and to encourage continued community engagement.