6/23/26

JFO Advocates for Legislation to Strengthen Community Security

In today’s complex world, the risk of security vulnerabilities continues to grow, especially within the Jewish community. Across the country, antisemitism remains an ever-present threat, demanding more security resources than ever before. This rise in antisemitism has spurred the creation of the Jewish American Security Act, S. 4576, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and James Lankford (R-Okla). Congressman Don Bacon (R-Neb.) co-sponsored the bill.

The Jewish American Security Act (JASA) aims to strengthen federal efforts to fight antisemitism, including in U.S. academic settings, at Jewish communal institutions and online. Passage of the bill would provide nationwide funding for security enhancements at synagogues, Jewish community centers, day schools and other at-risk nonprofits. At its core, the bill authorizes funding of up to $1 billion annually for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

The NSGP was first proposed by the Jewish Federations of North America in 2001 to create a federal funding stream that would provide critical security enhancements to nonprofit and faith-based institutions facing threats. The program was implemented in 2004. Congress funded the first year of the program at $25 million. By 2025, national funding had grown to $274 million. Demand increased significantly as well. In 2024, the NSGP was able to fulfill only 43% of the total applications submitted.

Under current guidelines, the NSGP allows eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits to request up to $200,000 per physical site or address. Funds may be used only for approved security enhancements. The Jewish Federation of Omaha has been a recipient of NSGP funding, but recently, its applications have been denied.

Phil Malcom, chief operating officer for the Jewish Federation of Omaha, attributes this lack of funding to the competitiveness of the program.

“The evolution of the threat landscape over the past 25 years has created a huge increase in demand for this program,” he said.

Thanks in part to prior NSGP funding, the JFO was able to launch the Jewish Federation of Omaha Community Security Initiative in 2022. This robust initiative was designed to collectively bolster the security of the entire Omaha Jewish community. Since then, the JFO has increased security spending significantly — a necessary investment to enhance the safety of those who wish to participate in Jewish life.

The potential life-saving impact of these increased security measures is not taken lightly. Malcom said the recent loss of NSGP funding is felt, especially as the cost to grow and maintain security measures is projected to increase.

“Previous NSGP funding helped us build the security camera system across our campus. That technology has been a tremendous resource in improving our response time to security incidents,” he said. “We’ve accomplished a lot, but there is always more to do. That lift becomes more challenging without the NSGP funding.”

Funding for JFO security comes from a variety of sources. Some funding is provided by special grants locally and nationally, including Jewish Federations of North America’s LiveSecure program and the Tepper Foundation, but the rest is funded through campus operations.

To help address the shortage of security funding at the local level, the Jewish Community Relations Council, an agency of the JFO, worked closely with former state Sen. Tom Brewer to pass legislation that established a state-level security grant program for Nebraska nonprofits. This legislation was passed in 2024; however, state government officials continue to divert the bill’s funding because of severe budget deficits.

“Americans of all faiths deserve the right to gather safely with their communities. This is why the JFO and the JCRC are working at both local and national levels to advance the legislation needed to keep our communities safe,” said Sharon Brodkey, executive director of the JCRC.

Brodkey said she is certain passage of JASA would have a meaningful impact on the local community, both Jewish and interfaith.

“JASA makes several significant enhancements to take security for the Jewish community to a new level. Current NSGP funding has focused on material physical security enhancements such as cameras, access controls, alarm systems, etc. While some personnel-related expenses have been eligible in limited circumstances, we have been pushing elected officials to address and cover the cost of having trained security officers on-site,” Brodkey said. “The Jewish American Security Act recognizes that today’s threat environment requires protecting Jewish life more broadly — from synagogues and schools to college campuses and civil rights enforcement.”

Brodkey encourages community members to reach out to their congressional representatives and advocate for JASA.

“The community can advocate by reaching out to Mike Flood and Adrian Smith and asking them to join Congressman Bacon in co-sponsoring this once-in-a-generation legislation,” she said.

While the fate of the bill has yet to be determined, Malcom said the JFO remains committed to building a culture of security preparedness.

“We will continue to focus on security preparedness while remaining warm and welcoming,” he said. “The JFO will always work to sustain our community through advocating, mobilizing resources, supporting vital services, and fostering connection, care, and collective responsibility.”