Ahead of Rosh Hashanah: Call to increase security around Jewish institutions in the US
Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and crime against Jews, Jewish organizations are calling on US authorities to increase police presence around synagogues and Jewish schools ahead of the High Holy Days. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch have already promised to increase security.
Authorities across the United States were called upon to increase police patrols around synagogues and Jewish schools ahead of the High Holy Days, which will begin this year on September 11 with the onset of Rosh Hashanah — on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The call comes against the backdrop of data indicating a high level of antisemitic crime in the United States. According to an analysis by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), antisemitic hate crimes accounted for nearly 63% of all hate crimes based on religion recorded in the US in 2025. This is the third-highest number of anti-Jewish offenses ever recorded in federal data.
In New York, a 9.4% increase in hate crimes was recorded through July compared to the same period last year. According to NYPD data, more than half of the incidents were directed against Jews, even as the city simultaneously recorded historically low levels of murders and shooting incidents.
In New York, they promise to increase security
The New York Police Department typically increases its presence around Jewish institutions during the High Holy Days. A police source told the New York Post that an additional security assessment will be conducted ahead of the holidays, and that patrols were also increased during this period in previous years.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also pledged to increase security around synagogues and Jewish communities in the state. In remarks she delivered at the Central Synagogue in Manhattan, she said:
"If you need more money, if you need more protection, I will send the New York State Police here. We will strengthen this place not only now, but certainly ahead of the approaching holidays."
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish herself, also recently pledged that Jewish institutions in the city "will not be left to defend themselves" in the face of rising antisemitism.
Rosh Hashanah will fall this year on September 11, Yom Kippur on September 20, and the holiday of Sukkot will begin on September 25.
