Dear Friend,

We are dismayed to be writing to you once again after a terrifying antisemitic attack on our Jewish community. The attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI was only the latest instance of antisemitic violence that has become all too common against Jews in America and around the world. Thankfully, all the preschool children at the Temple were unharmed, but this attack could have easily been an unthinkable tragedy.

We are deeply grateful for the support, cooperation and professionalism of the law enforcement officers at all levels who work with us day in and day out and who rushed to our aid yesterday.  Their commitment and courage are apparent at all times.

The Jewish Federations of North America represents 141 Jewish Federations that serve as the central hub for local Jewish communities. Jewish Federations provide the funding and operational resources to keep our Jewish communities safe. Last year, the American Jewish community spent over $765 million on security funding, and the costs continue to grow.

The members of Temple Israel contributed mightily to their own security. Additionally, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit operates a professional security program with over 35 security personnel and works collaboratively with local law enforcement and every Jewish institution to maintain comprehensive security for the community, including organizing the security training that made such a difference in defending against yesterday’s attack. Both the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Temple Israel were recipients of security grants from the Jewish Federations of North America, including a grant that went specifically towards providing security for its preschool. We are grateful that philanthropic funding and security planning played a decisive role in ensuring no harm came to any of the children or staff at Temple Israel.

However, safeguarding communities at risk of violence is not the responsibility of philanthropic organizations. Rather, it is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens in their places of worship and communal gathering. And make no mistake – the Jewish community is under attack today like no other religious or ethnic group.  The FBI has shared with us that, though Jews represent less than 2% of the population, we are the subject of more than 50% of hate crimes, and the number of hate crimes they pursue against the Jewish community is more than ten times greater than the next most prevalent target.

The Jewish Community in Detroit has received important support from the state of Michigan and the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, but the funding levels currently provided across the nation to protect our communities are simply not commensurate with the escalating threat landscape that American Jewish communities face daily. Yesterday’s events prove once again that investments made in security play a critical role in keeping us safe, even in the face of the intolerable antisemitic violence.

We once again call on lawmakers to take the following vital steps to protect our communities nationwide:

1. Increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to $1 billion and allocate previously appropriated funds for awaiting applicants.
2. Ensure that the 50 percent cap on using NSGP funds to pay salaries for off-duty law enforcement or contracted security personnel is uniformly lifted across all states.
3. Direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to open applications for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program within 180 days of enactment of the DHS appropriations bill, expedite awards, and ensure prompt reimbursement to nonprofit recipients.
4. Direct DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis to work with state and local Fusion Centers to ensure at-risk institutions of faith are incorporated into existing information-sharing partnerships.
5. Bolster the resources of the FBI counter-terrorism teams and the field offices that work with the Jewish community to protect against these threats.
6. Provide increased federal grants to local law enforcement to enable them to increase their protection of Jewish institutions and events.

Finally, we urge all our political leaders to take action to confront antisemitic-fueled violence in the public discourse and on social media. This virulent ideology surging across the political spectrum utilizes rhetoric that either normalizes or minimizes such hatred, manifesting in dangerous consequences, potentially far worse than what took place today.

We thank you for your continued support of the American Jewish community and thank you for your prompt attention to these urgent security needs.

Sincerely,

Gary Torgow Chair, Jewish Federations of North America

The Honorable Eric D. Fingerhut President & CEO, Jewish Federations of North America