As antisemitic attacks surge to record levels across America, the Department of Homeland Security is taking unprecedented action with a $94 million security funding package to protect Jewish organizations from escalating threats and violence.
Key Takeaways
- DHS has allocated $94.4 million in federal grants to protect 512 Jewish faith-based organizations amid a 344% increase in antisemitic incidents over five years.
- The funding, part of FEMA’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program, will support security upgrades including surveillance cameras and physical barriers at synagogues, schools, and community centers.
- This initiative follows several serious incidents including a terror attack in Boulder, CO and the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, DC.
- The grants aim to ensure Jewish Americans can worship and gather without fear of violence following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered a wave of antisemitism in the US.
- Additional security grants for Jewish organizations are anticipated in coming months as the Trump administration prioritizes protecting vulnerable religious communities.
Record Levels of Antisemitic Violence Prompt Federal Action
The Department of Homeland Security’s $94 million security funding package comes at a critical moment for America’s Jewish community. According to data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 2024 has seen an alarming 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States, representing a staggering 344% increase over the past five years. This dramatic rise has been particularly pronounced since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered a wave of violence and intimidation targeting Jewish individuals and institutions throughout America.
$94 million in grants awarded to Jewish faith-based organizations to prevent ‘violence and terrorism’: DHS https://t.co/xEBdo6LCPX
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The grant program, formally part of FEMA’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program and the National Security Supplemental (NSGP-NSS), will provide critical resources to 512 Jewish organizations including synagogues, educational facilities, and community centers. These funds will support essential security upgrades such as surveillance systems, fortified entrances, physical barriers, and emergency communication infrastructure designed to protect against targeted violence and potential terrorist attacks.
Trump Administration Prioritizes Jewish Community Safety
The funding initiative reflects President Trump’s commitment to protecting religious minorities facing targeted threats. The decision to allocate these substantial resources follows several serious incidents, including a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado and the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, DC. These events have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of Jewish institutions and the growing boldness of antisemitic extremists operating in American communities.
“That this money is necessary at all is tragic. Antisemitic violence has no place in this country. However, under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that Jewish people in the United States can live free of the threat of violence and terrorism,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The grant program was supported by over 40 Jewish organizations who advocated for enhanced security measures in response to escalating threats. Congressional action to appropriate these funds demonstrates bipartisan recognition of the serious danger facing Jewish Americans. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to combat domestic extremism and protect vulnerable communities from ideologically motivated violence.
Jewish Leaders Highlight Security Burdens and Antisemitism Concerns
Jewish community leaders have emphasized the significant financial strain that security requirements have placed on religious institutions. Many synagogues and community centers have been forced to divert substantial resources away from religious and educational programming to implement basic safety measures. The federal grants will help alleviate this burden while ensuring adequate protection against increasingly sophisticated threats.
“The fight against hate against the Jews would morph yet again, um, so when someone says that they are, they, they love Jews but they, but they hate Israel and you get a little deeper, what do they mean by that….. and usually when they go into the territory not of being critical of Israel which is fair game. But they say Israel has no right to exist at all now…. we get into the area of antisemitism,” said Rabbi Sanford Akselrad.
Rabbi Akselrad’s comments highlight the complex nature of modern antisemitism, which often masks itself as political criticism while advancing fundamentally antisemitic positions. This nuanced understanding of contemporary Jew-hatred has informed the federal response, recognizing that physical security measures must be complemented by broader efforts to combat antisemitic rhetoric and ideology. The funding package represents a concrete step toward ensuring Jewish Americans can practice their faith and maintain their cultural institutions without fear.
Additional Support Coming as Threats Persist
DHS officials have confirmed that additional security grants for Jewish organizations are anticipated in the coming months. This sustained commitment reflects the understanding that antisemitic threats are unlikely to subside in the near term and require ongoing vigilance. The comprehensive approach includes not only physical security enhancements but also training programs to help Jewish community members respond effectively to potential threats.
“DHS is working to put a stop to the deeply disturbing rise in antisemitic attacks across the United States,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The program’s strategic implementation prioritizes high-risk facilities and those serving vulnerable populations, including schools and elderly care centers. By strengthening these institutions against potential attacks, the federal government aims to preserve Jewish cultural and religious life while sending a clear message that antisemitic violence will not be tolerated in American society. This robust security initiative represents a critical component of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to religious freedom and community safety.
