American Jewish community security spending surpasses $1 billion, new data shows

The new study finds that the average spend across over 4,500 Jewish communal institutions amounts to roughly $225,000 per institution which represents a 33% increase compared to 2024.

Jewish communal security spending has hit a record high, surpassing $1 billion a year ($1.015b), new data from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) revealed ahead of the High Holidays.

The new study finds that the average spend across over 4,500 Jewish communal institutions amounts to roughly $225,000 per institution. This represents a 33% increase compared to the previous estimate of $765 million in 2024. These institutions include Jewish community centers, synagogues, schools, summer camps, and other Jewish nonprofit institutions.

JFNA's analysis does not include privately owned businesses, such as over 1,600 kosher restaurants, some 500 kosher markets and groceries, and the Judaica shops and Jewish bookstores found in Jewish neighborhoods across North America.

The largest share of the cost goes to security personnel, including both guards and security directors.

This comes as leaders call for the urgent passage of the Jewish American Security Act that would fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) at $1 billion.

Security spending reflects growing dangers facing Jewish Americans

“The fact that Jewish communal spending has shot up 33% is a measure of how much more dangerous life has become for Jewish Americans, and sadly we know that we need even more investment to protect ourselves against the rising level of threat,” said Eric D. Fingerhut, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America.

“We are grateful for the partnership of Congress and this Administration, but the need has outpaced the resources. Passing the Jewish American Security Act and fully funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $1 billion is the single most important step lawmakers can take to keep Jewish Americans and all faith communities safe.”

By JFNA's estimates, the total spending currently devoted to security would be enough to send 44,000 kids to Jewish Day School, cover the costs of every child attending Jewish summer camp, or fund every Birthright Trip for a decade. 

“Every dollar our community spends on guards and cameras is a dollar not spent on Jewish education, on caring for our elderly, on taking care of those in need,” Fingerhut added.