Protect Our Communities: Urge Congress to Strengthen Security for Jewish Institutions

Last week’s antisemitic attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan is a stark reminder that Jewish communities across the country remain under threat. Thanks to on‑site security guards, tragedy was avoided — but relying on philanthropy alone is not sustainable.

Jewish communities spent over $765 million last year on security. That means fewer resources for education, camps, and essential programs, even as threats continue to rise.

The need is urgent.

The threat is real.

Please take one minute to fill out the form below and urge your Members of Congress to fully fund the federal security grant program that protects synagogues, schools, child‑care centers, community centers, and other vulnerable institutions.

Dear [Lawmaker],

The recent antisemitic attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan is a stark reminder that our community faces ongoing threats of violence.  I urge you to take immediate steps to strengthen security protections for Jewish institutions and other houses of worship nationwide, including those here in our community that face rising threats.

Once again, our community was shaken to its core by an act of antisemitic violence. While thankfully no children were harmed, in large part due to the quick response of on-site synagogue security, the incident makes clear that houses of worship and community institutions remain vulnerable targets and underscores the urgent need for robust federal security investments and coordination with all facets of law enforcement.

A recent study conducted by the Jewish Federations of North America in partnership with ADL found that 55 percent of Jewish Americans experienced some form of antisemitism in the past year. That hostility is increasingly translating into violence. In the first three months of 2026 alone, the country has already witnessed at least four antisemitic-fueled violent attacks, including the recent attack on Temple Israel in Michigan.

The broader data reflects the seriousness of this threat. Although the Jewish community represent less than two percent of the U.S. population, they are the target of more than two-thirds of all religious-motivated crimes reported to the FBI. This alarming disparity underscores the urgent need for stronger federal support to protect communities at risk.

As a result of this increasingly dangerous threat landscape, Jewish communities across the country are forced to make unprecedented investments to protect themselves. In the past year alone, Jewish institutions spent more than $765 million on security infrastructure, personnel, and preparedness, money that could have one to advance our philanthropic and educational work instead. While these measures are necessary, safeguarding Americans from violence is fundamentally the responsibility of government, not philanthropic organizations nor local communities.

Now is the time to act. I urge you to swiftly advance and prioritize the following actions to address the rapidly escalating threats facing Jewish communities and other houses of worship across the United States.

- Fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) at $1 billion, so synagogues, Jewish day schools, and other faith-based organizations can retain security directors and guards, install cameras, alarms, secure entrances, and other critical security upgrades.

- Ensure that the 50 percent cap on using NSGP funds to pay salaries for off-duty law enforcement or contracted security personnel is uniformly lifted across all states.

- Fully fund FBI counter-terrorism teams and field offices to investigate domestic terrorism, foreign-inspired extremist activity, and bias-motivated crimes to meet both current and emerging threats facing the Jewish community, among others.

- Direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis to work with state and local Fusion Centers to ensure at-risk institutions of faith are incorporated into existing information-sharing partnerships.

Collectively, these steps are critical to ensuring that Americans can gather, worship, and live safely in every community across the country. The safety of Americans exercising their constitutional right to gather and worship without fear cannot be an afterthought.

We were fortunate that no children or adults were harmed in Michigan, but the next attack may not end the same way. This moment requires clear and decisive leadership, and our community needs your help. Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue, and please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be a resource to your office.

Sincerely,
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