Jewish communal institutions across the United States now spend a record $1.015 billion annually on security, according to data released by the Jewish Federations of North America. The figure marks a 33 percent jump from the $765 million estimated in 2024, driven by escalating antisemitic threats and violence.
The surge is fueling pressure on Congress to pass the Jewish American Security Act, which would fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $1 billion annually.
"This number measures how much more dangerous life has become for Jewish Americans," said Eric D. Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. He argued that even greater investment is needed to counter rising threats.
Fingerhut acknowledged support from Congress and the White House but said "the need has outpaced the resources." He called the Jewish American Security Act and full NSGP funding "the single most important step lawmakers can take" to protect Jewish Americans and faith communities broadly.
The analysis covers more than 4,500 Jewish communal institutions—synagogues, community centers, schools and summer camps—which spend an average of $225,000 annually on security. The study excludes privately owned businesses, including over 1,600 kosher restaurants, about 500 kosher markets and groceries, and Judaica shops.
Personnel costs—security directors and guards—consume the largest share of spending. The proposed legislation would allow NSGP grants to cover a larger portion of personnel expenses.
An additional $150 million covers security technology and building hardening, including new system installations and maintenance of existing infrastructure.
The pressure for federal action reflects recent trends in hate crime data. The latest FBI Hate Crime report from 2025 shows anti-Jewish hate crimes accounted for 64 percent of all religiously motivated hate crimes, despite Jewish Americans representing only 2 percent of the U.S. population. Jews were the most-targeted religious group and second-most targeted group overall for hate crimes in 2025.
Jewish Federations leaders have noted that the $1 billion now spent on security could otherwise fund 44,000 children attending Jewish day schools, underscoring the trade-off between protection and educational investment.
