Jewish institutions in the U.S. spend over $1 billion on security amid rising antisemitism
Synagogues and other Jewish centers in the United States spent more than $1 billion on security, a 33% increase from the previous year, as antisemitic incidents surge.
Research by the Jewish Federations of North America reveals that U.S. synagogues and related Jewish facilities spent more than $1 billion on security, a 33% rise from the previous year’s $765 million. The surge in spending coincides with a marked increase in antisemitic hate crimes after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, with Jews accounting for over 60% of religiously-motivated hate crimes in 2025 despite representing less than 3% of the population.
Notable incidents include a failed bomb attempt at a Michigan synagogue preschool and the arson of a historic Mississippi synagogue. In New York City, where Jews make up about 10% of residents, antisemitic offenses have risen 15.8% this year, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to allocate $70 million for security during the high-holiday period.
Why it matters
The spending surge highlights growing safety concerns for Jewish communities as antisemitic attacks increase across the U.S.
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