Jewish institutions are getting security-conscious, and Christian ones should, too

Jewish institutions are getting security-conscious, and Christian ones should, too

Although Jews are on the frontline, terrorists are equal opportunity haters when it comes to attacking other faiths.

The aftermath of the Temple Israel attack in Michigan. Israel War Room on X.

Susan Quinn for American Thinker 

Across the West, terrorists of all stripes are becoming more aggressive about attacking religious institutions. While much has been said and written about the attacks on Jewish communities, and rightly so, the Jews are not the only ones at risk of attacks. Jews are taking the lead in hardening their synagogues. Other houses of worship should pay attention because the terrorists are headed their way.

Jewish communities have been assertive about tackling the security threats they face. To meet those concerns, several organizations have been established to protect them. There’s LiveSecure:

LiveSecure: A $130 million campaign for community safety and security. LiveSecure aims to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities across North America. This initiative provides funding for local security programs to protect JCCs, synagogues, schools, senior centers, summer camps, and other Jewish spaces.

Through our collaboration with the Secure Community Network (SCN), the Jewish community’s official liaison with federal agencies, LiveSecure strengthens community safety and security.

Community Security Service also offers extensive programs and works with law enforcement:

CSS provides training to congregants and members of Jewish institutions, ranging from introductory 1-hour online courses to the building and coordinating of professionally trained volunteer security teams. We follow a proven methodology developed by leading security experts, which helps your community proactively identify and prevent antisemitic threats and incidents.

Following the recent attack on a Michigan synagogue, where a terrorist drove his truck loaded with bombs inside the synagogue, cities with large Jewish populations have increased surveillance and protection. Pittsburgh is providing extra patrols in its neighborhoods; the NYPD has also deployed additional officers to areas such as Williamsburg, Crown Heights, and the Upper West Side.

Technology is playing a growing role in increasing synagogue security:

In addition to law enforcement strategies, the city is also investing in technology to bolster security. Enhanced surveillance systems and the integration of access control technologies at synagogues and community centers will be implemented. These upgrades aim to deter potential threats and provide a rapid response capability in emergencies.

The Non-Profit Security Grant program also provides funds for security to religious organizations, but, given rising threats, the budget hasn’t been able to meet the communities’ needs:

In 2024, only 43 percent of applicants received NSGP funds out of nearly $1 billion in requests. That’s why we have urged Congress and the Trump administration to increase these funds to $500 million for fiscal 2026.

American Jewish communities are forced to pay what amounts to an antisemitism tax to provide essential, life-saving protection. With antisemitism on the rise, local police don’t have the resources to keep our community safe.

Jews are recognizing the threat and acting. However, other religious organizations should be doing the same. In recent years, churches have also been attacked:

Attacks targeting churches in the U.S. have increased significantly in recent years, according to a report, and the recent shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school is the latest example.

In the report, the Family Research Council, an evangelical nonprofit and activist group, identified 1,384 incidents of hostility against U.S. churches between January 2018 and December 2024.

In response to such tragedies, many churches across the country have made the difficult but necessary decision to enhance their security:

They are adopting layered systems of church security. These decisions are not made out of fear, but out of love and responsibility for their congregations.

With the right planning, the church door never needs to be closed to those who would seek sanctuary.

But it’s not just synagogues and churches. One study presents data showing that the dangers have spread across all religions:

From 2001 to 2023, according to groundbreaking data compiled by The Violence Project, over 417 homicides occurred at U.S. houses of worship, resulting in 533 lives lost and nearly 200 additional injuries. This nonpartisan research institute has conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of faith-based violence in the United States, documenting incidents at Christian churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other sacred spaces across all denominations and traditions.

We not only live in a secular age with a population that has disdain for religions and holds them in contempt, but they despise those who practice any religion; those people are prepared to act out their hatred and anger. And with the current holdup on funds from the DHS shutdown, money for security services is limited.

Anyone in the vicinity of these institutions could be caught in the crosshairs.

We are paying a price for the secularization of our country and for the polarization in Congress, and there is no resolution in sight.