Securing Our Community: High Holiday Grants Delivered 

As we approach the High Holidays, Jewish Federation of San Diego is putting action and dollars behind its commitment to safety, delivering more than $120,000 in security grants to local Jewish institutions. 

These security grants are a tangible investment in the well-being of our community, helping cover the elevated costs of security during the High Holidays. With heightened security concerns, the addition of extra guards and personnel keeps synagogues and community spaces safe during this sacred time. This year, 24 institutions received this support. 

Living full Jewish lives, living them proudly, and doing so safely and securely, is a core tenet of Federation’s work. By ensuring Jewish safety through the distribution of High Holiday security grants, Federation hopes that all San Diegan Jews enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.  

Protecting Our Youngest 

Through Jewish Federations of North America, we awarded over $66,000 in early childhood security grants to 12 Jewish preschools across the San Diego region. These grants, averaging $5,500 each, are designated specifically for hiring security personnel, ensuring even our youngest community members are protected as they learn and grow. 

While Jewish Federation of San Diego administers the program locally, funding is made possible through the generosity of the Tepper Foundation, a powerful example of collaborative philanthropy in action. 

Training for Resilience 

Security isn’t just about guards and gates, it’s also about being prepared and vigilant. That’s why the Jewish Community Security Institute (JCSI) just wrapped its third cohort of intensive security training for community leaders and institutions. 

The program equips organizations with tools for crisis response, strategic planning, and long-term safety upgrades. This cohort was focused on Orthodox communities and the particular security challenges they face. Ultimately, all eight participating institutions this year were awarded $10,000 security grants upon completing the training and final evaluation, for a total of $80,000 in security funding. 

A Community-Wide Commitment 

From synagogues to preschools, Federation’s security initiatives are rooted in the goal to empower our community with the tools, funding, and knowledge to stay safe and to be Jewish proudly.