Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) announced that he has requested $2.4 million in federal funds to address the surge in antisemitic incidents targeting Jews in Los Angeles. $1.4 million was requested to fully fund the Jewish Federation Los Angeles “Community Security Initiative,” which monitors threats, provides emergency communications and organizes security services and trainings. An additional $1 million was sought for the Los Angeles County “Jewish Community Safety Plan,” to train law enforcement and provide resources to address discrimination, harassment and violence against Jewish students.
“The most important responsibility of government is to keep people safe,” said Congressman Sherman. “In this time of skyrocketing threats to the Jewish community, we must do more to deter hate-motivated crimes and to make sure law enforcement has the tools to respond when they do occur. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure these efforts are fully funded.”
The funds were requested as part of the House of Representatives Community Project Funding process, which begins with a Member of Congress submitting a request for funding to the House Appropriations Committee. An appropriations bill containing the requests must be signed into law before the funds can be accessed by the grantees.
Chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Lindsey Horvath stated: “In response to the rise in antisemitism that has severely impacted our Jewish community, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed two motions I introduced this past January to implement a comprehensive Jewish Community Safety Plan. I thank Congressman Sherman for seeking federal funds to bolster the success of this program, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him to keep our communities safe.”
Jewish Federation Los Angeles President & CEO Rabbi Noah Farkas stated: “Having a vibrant Jewish community starts with having a safe Jewish community. Since 2012, our Federation’s Community Security Initiative has been working with our local law enforcement partners to protect local Jewish schools, synagogues, summer camps, and Jewish communal organizations. Given the dangerous rising tide of antisemitism we are experiencing, there has never been a more urgent time for this work. We are deeply grateful for Congressman Sherman’s leadership in seeking federal funds for this vital program, and we encourage the House of Representatives to include this request in appropriations legislation.”
In April 2024, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which found a 112 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in Los Angeles in 2023, as compared to the prior year.
