Jewish institutions' security spending tops $1 billion as High Holy Days approach

As the High Holy Days begin, annual security spending by U.S. Jewish institutions has surged to a record $1.02 billion, a 33% increase from 2024. Driven by persistent antisemitic threats and historic highs in physical assaults, over 4,500 synagogues, schools, and community centers now spend an average of $225,000 each on guards, cameras, and building reinforcement. While New York City officials report no credible threats, police presence has been heightened across the city to secure congregations.

Jewish institutional security spending

• ▪Jewish institutions across New York City have added millions of dollars to their security budgets over the last three years
• ▪More than 4,500 synagogues, Jewish community centers, schools, summer camps, and other nonprofits spend an average of approximately $225,000 each on security annually
• ▪Jewish communal institutions in the United States spend an estimated $1.02 billion annually on security, representing a record high
• ▪The annual security spending of $1.02 billion by Jewish communal institutions is a 33% increase from the Jewish Federations of North America's 2024 estimate of $765 million
• ▪Security personnel, including guards and security directors, account for the largest share of the $1.02 billion annual security spending by Jewish communal institutions

Antisemitic incidents tracking data

• ▪According to the Anti-Defamation League, overall antisemitic incidents fell 33% in 2025, but physical assaults linked to antisemitism rose to a 46-year high
• ▪Antisemitic incidents surged 140% in 2023 following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and rose to a record high in 2024, according to the Anti-Defamation League
• ▪FBI data show reported anti-Jewish hate crime incidents fell 21% in 2025 to 1,528 incidents, but still accounted for 63% of all religion-based hate crimes

Physical security infrastructure upgrades

• ▪More than 7,100 volunteers with the Community Security Service now help protect more than 500 synagogues and events across the United States each week
• ▪Jewish communal institutions spend about $150 million annually on security technology and building hardening, including security cameras, reinforced doors, and controlled-entry systems

Federal nonprofit security grants

• ▪The Jewish American Security Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress, would authorize $1 billion annually from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program
• ▪FEMA made $300 million available through the fiscal year 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks

High Holy Days security preparations

• ▪New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that no credible threats had been reported against Jewish houses of worship ahead of the September 2026 High Holy Days
• ▪The New York Police Department deployed officers to synagogues and Jewish institutions across all five boroughs during the September 2026 High Holy Days

Debatable claims

• ▪Congress should increase federal nonprofit security funding to $1 billion annually
• ▪Federal nonprofit security grants should be allowed to fund security personnel