Today, Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY10) and Mike Lawler (R-NY17) introduced the House companion bill to the Bipartisan Jewish American Security Act—legislation drafted and championed by Jewish Federations of North America in response to the rising domestic terror crisis aimed at Jewish Americans. At a press conference, House legislators and Jewish leaders highlighted the bill’s proposed federal protections and resources to safeguard the Jewish community, including increasing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding to $1 billion and allowing a greater share of those resources to go to law enforcement personnel. 

 

“Jewish communities across the United States are facing a real and growing security crisis, and the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Americans can gather, worship, and live openly and safely as who they are.” said Eric Fingerhut, CEO and President of the Jewish Federations of North America. “This is indeed a domestic terror crisis. It is coming at us from all over the world. The United States government takes steps around the world to protect America from terrorism, and they must take the steps at home that are necessary to protect the Jewish community.”

 

Representative Dan Goldman called Jewish Federations a “central partner” in the “tireless” effort to write and introduce the bill and said, "What we saw at Temple Israel just underscores how essential security is for every single Jewish institution. We should not have to pay a Jewish tax to be able to go to synagogue, and this will not only increase the funding, but it also expands the range of areas that can be funded by the Nonprofit Security Grant to include, very clearly, security personnel and other types of security that have not currently included and that are now clearly essential.”

 

“The reality is that many houses of worship and nonprofit institutions are operating under constant security concerns,” said Representative Mike Lawler. “They should be focused on serving their communities, not worrying about whether they have the resources to protect their members from violence, and as a practicing Catholic who goes to church, fact is I can walk into my church without fear. I can walk into my church without passing a security guard stationed outside. Jewish Americans don't have that luxury, and it's outrageous, and it should anger each and every one of us.” 

 

Over the last twelve months, Jewish Americans have experienced rising levels of antisemitism and targeted violent attacks across the country. In Michigan this March, a terrorist crashed a car filled with weapons into Temple Israel, where over 120 preschoolers hid in fear. Temple Israel, the largest synagogue in Michigan, is still rebuilding following that violent attack that was moments away from becoming the biggest terrorist attack in America since September 11, 2001. Jewish communities are forced to choose between allocating resources to schools, camps, food banks, and social services or to meet security needs that have been estimated to cost more than $765 million. 

Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) first introduced the Jewish American Security Act in the Senate on May 19. 

 

The legislation would increase Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding to $1 billion, with eligibility extended to Jewish organizations, while establishing a separate grant program specifically for houses of worship, and allowing additional funds to be directed towards law enforcement. It would also mandate that the Department of Education appoint a dedicated antisemitism coordinator and introduce new rules targeting antisemitism at federally funded colleges and universities. The bill further requires online platforms to publicly disclose how they handle and moderate antisemitic content on their services.

 

Fully funding the nonprofit security grant, a program that receives more applications than it can award, will secure all communities of faith. While Jewish Americans are experiencing rising threats, violent attacks, and online calls for violent targeting; the rising need for security funding extends beyond American Jewish communities. Recently, three people were killed in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, including a security guard.