New York is directing a record $70 million to help protect nonprofit organizations vulnerable to hate crimes as the state prepares for the Jewish High Holidays, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.
The funding will go to 290 nonprofit community organizations for physical security and cybersecurity improvements. Hochul also directed the New York State Police to increase patrols and coordinate with local law enforcement around Jewish communities and religious institutions during the upcoming holidays.
NY increases police presence during High Holidays
The Jewish High Holidays begin later this week. State Police will conduct high-visibility patrols at Jewish communities and religious institutions across New York, according to Hochul's office.
Troopers have also begun outreach to religious leaders
and will coordinate with the Anti-Defamation League, Community Security Initiative, Secure Community Network, the NYPD and federal partners.
Hochul said the increased security comes as hate crimes have continued to rise even as violent crime has reached historic lows in New York City and statewide.
“As Jewish New Yorkers prepare for the High Holidays, we’re continuing our record investments to protect sensitive sites and surging State Police resources to keep communities safe across our state,” Hochul said.
Hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers rise
New York City reported 425 hate crimes through Aug. 30, compared with 367 during the same period in 2025, an increase of 16%, according to the governor's office.
Anti-Jewish hate crimes increased from 212 to 229 during the same period, an 8% increase. They accounted for 53.9% of confirmed hate crimes in the city.
Outside New York City, preliminary data from more than 500 police departments and sheriffs' offices showed 57 reported hate crimes during the first quarter of 2026, compared with 49 during the same period last year. Anti-Jewish crimes were the most frequently reported type.
$70 million will fund security upgrades
The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program will provide up to $250,000 per organization for eligible security and cybersecurity projects.
Eligible organizations include houses of worship, religious organizations, community and civic centers, cultural museums, day care centers and other nonprofits considered vulnerable to hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.
Funding can be used for improvements such as lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass, cybersecurity enhancements and security training.
The latest round brings the total state funding awarded through the program since Hochul took office to more than $201 million for 2,035 projects.
The state will not publicly identify grant recipients because officials said doing so could create a security risk.
Most funding going to NYC, Hudson Valley
Organizations in eight of New York's 10 regions received grants in the latest round:
- New York City: 147 grants totaling $35.8 million
- Mid-Hudson: 99 grants totaling $24.2 million
- Long Island: 25 grants totaling $6 million
- Capital Region: 10 grants totaling $2 million
- Finger Lakes: three grants totaling $750,000
- Central New York: two grants totaling $500,000
- Southern Tier: two grants totaling $372,350
- Western New York: two grants totaling $347,000
The grants were awarded to organizations that completed vulnerability assessments and outlined how the proposed security improvements would protect their facilities and the people they serve.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY boosts security for Jewish High Holidays amid rise in hate crimes
