NYC synagogues boost security as DHS shutdown stalls federal funding

"Now, smaller congregations are scrambling to fortify themselves during what an official for the Secure Community Network, a national Jewish-run nonprofit, called 'the most elevated and complex threat environment' in recent history. In New York City, some are adding security guards through a new program that will cover additional labor costs, at least for a short time - while bemoaning a lack of federal funding due to a Department of Homeland Security shutdown."

"The program is responding to a moment of acute alarm in the Jewish community: In addition to the Temple Israel attack, there were violent attacks at a Manchester synagogue last October, the Bondi Beach shooting over Hanukkah, and violent incidents in San Jose, California and Toronto. Jewish institutions were already on alert after the Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel; Silber said that after the attacks, approximately 150 locations sought assistance from his group."

"Funding for the 'Short-Term Security Guard Reimbursement Program' is coming from the Community Security Initiative, the UJA-Federation of New York and 'key donors,' according to CSI's CEO Mitchell Silber. It subsidizes New York-area Jewish institutions that only have one or no security guards and wish to add one or two for a four-week period."

Following recent violent attacks on synagogues and Jewish institutions, smaller congregations are intensifying security efforts during what officials describe as the most elevated threat environment in recent history. While large institutions like Temple Israel in Detroit maintain full-time security staff, most smaller synagogues lack comparable resources. In response, New York City has launched a Short-Term Security Guard Reimbursement Program funded by the Community Security Initiative, UJA-Federation of New York, and private donors. This program subsidizes Jewish institutions with minimal or no security to add one or two guards for four weeks. The initiative follows multiple violent incidents including attacks in Manchester, San Jose, Toronto, and during Hanukkah, compounded by heightened alert levels since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Federal funding remains unavailable due to a Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Read at The Forward