In response to a spike in antisemitism and recent threats aimed at Israel, Palm Beach County's Jewish community is getting a security boost, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Tepper Foundation. This substantial financial backing is earmarked for enhancing security measures at nearly 40 Jewish institutions, including schools and synagogues within the county.
The grant, aimed at protecting an estimated 25,000 Jewish children in the locale, was spotlighted on Tuesday, January 23, with both Michael Hoffman, President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, and Jesse Rosen, President & CEO of Mandel JCC, highlighting the urgency of safeguarding these community spaces. The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County emphasized the importance of creating a secure environment for children attending their Hebrew schools, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions, "We want our children to be going to our Jewish institutions, our JCCs, synagogues, our Hebrew schools. We want them to go to walk into these Jewish institutions, we want the parents to feel as though their children are safe and secure," Hoffman told CBS12 News.
Security concerns have heightened amidst an uptick in antisemitic incidents, leading to increased costs for organizations like the Jewish Federation. Rosen from Mandel JCC expressed a commitment to daily safety improvements, “We’re always looking for ways to improve and be safer every day,” according to a statement obtained by CBS12 News. “There is nothing we take more serious than the safety of children.”
The Tepper Foundation, led by NFL team owner David Tepper, is behind the generous donation, with $750,000 intended for rapid grants to reinforce security swiftly. Speaking on the readiness to tackle potential threats, Rabbi Michael Klein of Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach emphasized the need for proactive measures “We’ve been very, very fortunate in not having to deal with immediate threats, but we certainly want to be as proactive as possible to make sure that that doesn't occur but if it does, that we are prepared to deal with it," Klein told WPTV.
For those seeking further information regarding the initiatives of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the endeavors to combat hate and antisemitism can visit jewishpb.org. The influx of support comes at a critical time, with communal leaders across the spectrum acknowledging both the necessity and the urgency of such preparedness.
