Jewish institutions' security spending tops $1 billion as antisemitism persists

Antisemitic threats have pushed the nationwide cost of protecting Jewish synagogues, schools and community centers past $1 billion a year, new estimates reveal as congregations prepare for big crowds during the High Holy Days , which began Friday with Rosh Hashanah.

Why it matters: Enhanced security has become a growing expense for Jewish communities, congregation leaders say, often taking up money that could pay for teachers, summer camps, elder care and other programs.

By the numbers: Jewish communal institutions are now spending an estimated $1.02 billion annually on security, a record high, according to new data from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

That's up 33% from the federation's previous annual estimate of $765 million in 2024.

More than 4,500 synagogues, Jewish community centers, schools, summer camps and other nonprofits spend an average of roughly $225,000 each, the group said.

Security personnel — including guards and security directors — account for the largest share.

Of that total, about $150 million goes toward security technology and the "hardening" of buildings — upgrades that can include security cameras, reinforced doors and controlled-entry systems — as well as maintaining existing security equipment.

The estimate doesn't include security costs at more than 1,600 kosher restaurants, about 500 kosher markets and groceries, and other privately owned Jewish businesses.

State of play: Synagogues are increasingly moving beyond security guards and cameras to layered, year-round systems that include hardened entrances , trained congregants as security personnel and coordination with police.

More than 7,100 volunteers now help protect more than 500 synagogues and events each week, according to Community Security Service (CSS) , a nonprofit that now protects more than 500 synagogues across the U.S.

The expanded security comes as assaults linked to antisemitism have reached their highest level since the Anti-Defamation League began tracking them in 1979.

What they're saying: "I cannot tell you whether we're safer or less safe," CSS CEO Richard Priem told Axios.

"I can tell you that there's a lot more capability right now protecting the Jewish community than there was a few years ago." JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut said the tradeoff is stark.

"Every dollar our community spends on guards and cameras is a dollar not spent on Jewish education." Context: The estimated Jewish communal security tab is more than three times the size of the entire federal grant pool available to vulnerable nonprofits nationwide.