Recent incidents in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., serve as a stark reminder for leaders of Jewish organizations in the U.S. to remain vigilant and continue efforts to ensure safety. These events have once again highlighted the urgency for enhanced security measures, particularly after 12 individuals were injured in Boulder during a protest advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Additionally, the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington has intensified calls for action.
In response to the Washington incident, a collective of 43 Jewish groups urged the U.S. government to bolster security support by increasing Congress’s funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Union for Reform Judaism, emphasized the necessity of reinforcing facilities with security features like cameras and barriers to prevent vehicular attacks. “Security has been a grave concern for Jewish organizations for a long time,” he stated. “Ensuring the safety of our community is an unavoidable commitment of our leadership.”
Shira Hutt, from The Jewish Federations of North America, conveyed dissatisfaction with current federal funding allocations, revealing that only 43% of applicants received assistance last year. She asserted that the Boulder attack underscored the need for increased support for local law enforcement. “Fortunately, the attack was halted before causing even more harm,” she noted, urging immediate action to prevent further crises.
In this vein, JEWISHcolorado, in partnership with Jewish Federation affiliates, initiated an emergency fund to gather $160,000 aimed at boosting security for Jewish institutions and community events in Boulder. Leaders from Jewish Federation Los Angeles also called on government and business sectors to forge alliances for better understanding and rapid crisis responses. Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the L.A. federation, voiced the community’s resolve, “The Jewish community here is anxious yet resolute in their determination to see tangible outcomes from local authorities.”
The escalation of security expenses has been noted, especially with Jewish day schools witnessing an 84% increase in costs since Oct 7, 2023, when new hostilities in the region began. The Teach Coalition, affiliated with the Orthodox Union, is appealing for additional state and federal backing to secure religious schools and camps. Sydney Altfield, the director of the coalition, underscored the urgency by emphasizing, “Such incidents could happen anywhere, highlighting the need to protect our most vulnerable, especially our children, as much as possible.”
In Florida, concerns were echoed by Rabbi Jason Rosenberg of Congregation Beth Am, who expressed apprehension felt within his congregation and the need for heightened security. Pointing out that these attacks may be intertwined with persistent antisemitic sentiments, he encouraged resilience among his faithful. “Our central mission is to infuse holiness into our daily lives and continue with our religious activities without allowing fear to dictate our actions,” he encouraged.
Rabbi Jacobs noted that recent events imply an evolution in security protocols, both internally and externally. The murders at the D.C. Jewish Museum demand a re-evaluation of strategies to include threats from outside institution premises. He recalled how robust security protocols, likened to airport checks, surprised a visiting Christian leader at a Reform synagogue. Jacobs recounted the leader being taken aback by the extent of precautions, highlighting the necessity of such measures to ensure congregation safety.
The events in Boulder and Washington signify a critical juncture for U.S. Jewish organizations, as they call for increased vigilance and external support to tackle the growing security challenges facing their communities.