No community should have to plan for the unthinkable—and yet that is exactly what we have been made to do.
For years, we have seen the shadow of antisemitism rising around us—in the headlines, online, in public spaces and in the lived reality of many of us every day. But when violence struck Temple Israel last week, that threat became immediate and profound. We remain deeply grateful that, in the end, no children, teachers, or clergy were seriously injured. Yet many of us are still shaken—because an attack on a sacred space is an attack on our sense of safety and belonging.
That is why we want to share a security update — and, equally important, a message of reassurance.
Security has been a core priority of the Jewish Federation for many years. Especially as antisemitism surged in the aftermath of October 7, we have worked with urgency to strengthen the protection of Jewish life across our community through extensive planning, training, professional staffing, deep coordination with law enforcement and sustained investment.
With that in mind, we are pleased to share that the Jewish Federation is immediately advancing those efforts with an additional $1 million security allocation for Jewish institutions.
These funds will provide grants to expand security personnel and resources at temples and synagogues, schools, camps and other Jewish communal institutions. This is just one of many substantive security enhancements we will be adding across the community. (Jewish organizations may contact us HERE for more information.)
Building on strong protections already in place
This new investment will strengthen and expand the robust security measures already protecting our community. At the center of that work is Jewish Community Security, Inc. (JCSI), an experienced and highly respected professional security team that helps safeguard institutions across Jewish Detroit every day.
JCSI also provides training, security assessments, threat response and information sharing across Metro Detroit. Seamless and in‑depth coordination with local, state and federal law enforcement adds another vital layer of protection. It is important to note that not every aspect of our security program is visible to community members, and that is intentional. Discreet, layered security is a best-practice strategy that helps safeguard our buildings and campuses.
The “antisemitism tax” is real — and unacceptable
We are not only working behind the scenes—we are also advocating forcefully in the halls of Congress, pressing lawmakers to ensure that Jewish communities in this country can gather, worship and live in peace. A delegation of Jewish leaders from Federation and Temple Israel was in Washington earlier this week to advocate for increasing Nonprofit Security Grants from $300 million to $1 billion annually to help protect houses of worship.
That advocacy is essential, because Jewish communities across North America are now forced to shoulder an extraordinary burden—more than $1 billion per year simply to keep our people safe. That is money not being used to enrich Jewish life, educate our children, or uplift those in need. No other community has to bear that cost just to live their faith openly. A Shabbat message—and a promise
Jewish Detroit has proven itself extraordinarily resilient and strong. We have shown, again and again, that hate will not define us. We will not retreat from Jewish life. We will continue to raise Jewish children with pride, gather in our schools and camps, fill our synagogues with prayer and song and mark our simchas in the company of those we love. As we always have, we will continue to build a Jewish life that is visible and vibrant.
As this Shabbat approaches, we greet it with the weight of what happened still heavy on our hearts—but also with deep faith in our heritage and traditions, and in the strength of our precious community. We continue to stand with Temple Israel as it heals and works to restore its strength, beauty and presence in our community.
May this Shabbat remind us that even in difficult times, the light of Jewish life in Detroit continues to shine—with warmth, joy, and enduring hope.
Shabbat Shalom.
Brian Hermelin
President, Jewish Federation of Detroit
Michael Berger
President United Jewish Foundation
Steven Ingber
CEO, Jewish Federation of Detroit
