With Rosh Hashanah beginning the evening of September 11, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh today announced an expanded security posture across the region’s Jewish community, the product of months of coordination with local law enforcement and significant investment in protective infrastructure.

The Federation has been coordinating security planning for the High Holidays for the past two months, requesting that local police departments across Greater Pittsburgh rotate additional patrols near the approximately 30 Jewish community locations observing the holidays. State grant funding is supporting private contract security and off-duty police officers at sites throughout the region, and the Federation is sharing information with the FBI to maintain awareness heading into the holiday season.

“We want our community to walk into the holidays with confidence, not concern,” said Shawn Brokos, Director of Community Security, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “This is not a response to a heightened threat. It is a heightened level of preparedness, the result of months of planning and close coordination with our law enforcement partners. Pittsburgh’s Jewish community should feel free to gather, pray and celebrate this season.”

Sustained investment in protection

The scale of this preparation reflects a broader, national reality. Jewish institutions across the country now spend more than $1 billion annually on security, according to recent data from the Jewish Federations of North America, as antisemitic incidents continue to account for a disproportionate share of religiously-motivated hate crimes. The most recent FBI data show that anti-Jewish hate crimes made up 64 percent of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2025, even though Jewish Americans make up roughly 2 percent of the population.

Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish community has made its own substantial commitment. The Federation spent $450,000 directly on security in fiscal year 2026. Separately, 30 local institutions received a combined $1.7 million in Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program funding this year, out of 32 that applied. Of seven faith-based organizations the Federation supported through a related state grant application in early 2026, three received funding.

Those investments have translated into tangible upgrades. Thirty-six locations across the region are now equipped with the Bluepoint system, which communicates directly and immediately with local law enforcement in an emergency.

“Every dollar our community spends on guards, cameras and training is a dollar that could otherwise go toward Jewish day schools, camps or programs that serve people in need,” said David Knoll, the Federation’s Associate Vice President of Public Affairs. “We are making these investments because the safety of our community comes first.”

What the community should know

The Federation is asking community members to remain vigilant while trusting that security measures are in place. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to say something, calling 911 for anything requiring immediate police response and reporting concerns to local law enforcement and the Federation.

The Federation will continue briefing congregations directly ahead of the holidays and coordinating closely with area police throughout the season.

“Pittsburgh’s Jewish community has faced difficult moments before and has always responded with solidarity and resilience,” Brokos said. “That continues now. We thank our law enforcement partners for standing with the Jewish community, and we wish everyone a meaningful and safe Rosh Hashanah.”

The Federation remains steadfast in our mission to cultivate resources, connect people and collaborate across the community to live and fulfill Jewish values.