$1 million in new grants support security needs from existing grantees in synagogues, Jewish community spaces and pre-schools
Twenty-three Greater MetroWest synagogues and JCC early childhood centers are receiving grants to help underwrite the cost of security personnel following a spike in antisemitic incidents and threats across the United States. This was made possible through a $1 million grant from The Tepper Foundation.
These grants are part of a national initiative by The Tepper Foundation, which in November established its Security Fund to enhance security in Jewish institutions when young children are present. The Security Fund is also partnering with Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and the Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and Jewish Kids Group.
“This new Security Fund was established to meet the current, unprecedented need to protect the places most important to us – synagogues and spaces where Jewish Americans gather,” said Marian Stern, Portfolio Manager at The Tepper Foundation. “Given the urgency of the situation, our priority was to get money out the door as soon as possible, ensuring that our grantees are able to increase security swiftly.”
The Tepper Foundation funding for Greater MetroWest institutions is being done in collaboration with the Community Security Initiative of the Jewish Federation and with the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) of Greater MetroWest.
Staff of the Federation’s Community Security Initiative will be in touch with individual institutions this week regarding grant decisions. Grants will be disbursed locally in the next two weeks by The Tepper Foundation in collaboration with the JCF.
“At The Tepper Foundation, we believe that everyone has the right to enjoy the full expression of their identities, and that includes feeling safe in their local meeting spaces and places of worship,” said David Tepper. “While there is a critical need today, we also want to make sure these increased security measures can be sustained for as long as necessary, so we encourage other foundations and individuals to join us in funding this work.”
The Tepper Family has been a long-time supporter of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
“We are deeply grateful to The Tepper Foundation for this much needed and timely support that helps to safeguard thousands of children across our community and help families feel safe and secure,” said Dov Ben-Shimon, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. “This is a huge boost to our community, and we are delighted to collaborate with The Tepper Foundation in these ongoing efforts to keep the community protected.”
In a statement, The Tepper Foundation said that it recognizes that the war in Israel has sparked an alarming rise in hate for a variety of communities. The foundation says it will continue to stay in close touch with community partners as the conflict unfolds, responding to the needs of all victims of the war, including increasing its current commitments to organizations that address hate-based activity against other marginalized communities in the United States. The new Security Fund is in addition to The Tepper Foundation’s existing commitment of more than $3 million to combat all identity-based hate and antisemitism this year.
The Tepper Foundation has worked to combat identity-based hate through its grantee partners. The foundation’s Jewish giving work is split into two focus areas: Jewish life, made up of grantmaking to organizations that work on community building, early childhood and families; and combating antisemitism, supporting grantees that are dedicated to combating prejudice and hate crimes against the Jewish people on college campuses, in the media and in the public square.