$60M in NYS state funding secured to help protect Jewish non-profits ‘at-risk’ of antisemitism

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A recent roundtable moderated by New York Governor Kathy Hochul aimed to spotlight the nearly $60 million in state funding for at-risk non-profits.

This comes after recent bomb threats statewide against Jewish Houses of Worship.

You might remember when we reported back in September about bomb threats at two Rochester-area synagogues, as well as an incident at Temple B’rith Kodesh. Incidents like these have continued and are what led to this funding.

“We see what’s happening nationally, and we see what’s happening locally,” Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester told News 8. “There is genuine fear of going to our buildings and participating. So, the more we can keep our institutions safe and secure, the better it is for all of us.”

That’s how the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program will help continue efforts the Jewish Federation have already put in place.

“The Jewish Federation has led an effort called ROC Strong to help secure the Jewish community,” Dragon said. We’ve invested a lot of money into ensuring the safety of our community. The grant from the state is a welcome addition because of the money we’ve invested.”

The program also has secured changes in state law to allow additional charges such as falsely reporting an incident, or forcible touching, to be prosecuted as hate crimes.

Regional Security Advisor of the Secure Community Network Mark Henderson says hate crimes and threats are trending upward with a nearly 600 percent increase in recent times.

“From a Rochester perspective we’ve seen a large increase in incidents that have been classified as crimes,” Henderson said.

Henderson and Dragon both emphasizing the importance of reporting any threat made.

“Often times, too often I would say, they don’t get reported, and people assume that they don’t fall into the category of hate crimes, when they are,” Dragon said.

“I’m thankful that the Governor has made these funds available, in restoring a fear, a level of safety in the communities because these incidents are being taken serious,” Henderson said.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester has a link on their website where anyone can report a threat or hate crime.

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