Jerusalem, Israel (DATE, 2025) — The Jewish Agency for Israel has received a grant of $1.5 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust in support of the Security Fund, one of the most far-reaching Jewish security initiatives in the world. This latest contribution deepens the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s commitment to safeguarding Jewish communities worldwide at a time of surging antisemitism and brings its total support for The Jewish Agency’s relief and security efforts to more than $11 million.
The Security Fund was established in 2012, at the request of the Government of Israel, following the deadly terror attack at the Ozar Ha’Torah Jewish day school in Toulouse, France. Its mission is to ensure the safety of Jewish communities around the world — outside the United States — by providing financial assistance for securing and protecting Jewish communal institutions.
The new grant will be used to increase the physical security of 58 Jewish religious, educational, and communal institutions in Europe, North America, South America, and Australia that are vulnerable to potentially violent terrorist attacks.
“The horrific attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia is a grim reminder that we must never allow antisemitism to take root anywhere. While no threats can suppress the spirit of the Jewish people, we are compelled to do our part to ensure the security of the sites where Jewish communities gather, learn, connect, and worship,” said Sandor Frankel, a Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust.
To date, the Security Fund has allocated more than $27 million to over 1,000 Jewish institutions in 88 countries. The Helmsley Trust’s support alone has enabled the Fund to implement 179 security projects across 46 countries and more than 90 cities around the world, which will now grow with the new funding.
In the aftermath of the October 7th terror attacks and the onset of the Swords of Iron War, the Security Fund responded with urgency. A total of $2.1 million in emergency grants has been allocated to help Jewish communities confront rising threats and surging antisemitism. To date, 586 Jewish institutions in 62 countries have received emergency grants since the onset of the war, with more to follow in the coming weeks.
These investments include a wide range of protective measures such as CCTV systems, bulletproof doors and windows, perimeter fencing, and secure access points. The Security Fund also supports security training, the development of situation rooms, and strategic planning. Each application undergoes a rigorous review and prioritization process conducted by the Security Fund’s professional staff and overseen by a Lay Steering Committee in Israel. Final funding decisions are made by a Professional Allocations Committee chaired by The Jewish Agency’s Secretary General, with input from key stakeholders including The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Keren Hayesod, and senior representatives from across The Jewish Agency.
“We are deeply grateful to the Helmsley Charitable Trust for its steadfast partnership and unwavering commitment to the safety of Jewish communities around the world. In these times of heightened global threat and rising antisemitism, this support is not only timely — it is lifesaving,” said Mark Wilf, Chairman of The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors. “The Security Fund exists to ensure that Jewish life can thrive, no matter the circumstances. Together, we are fortifying the resilience of our people and honoring our collective responsibility to protect one another.”
The Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $700 million in grants for Israel.
Helmsley-funded security projects with The Jewish Agency have already proven lifesaving. In 2019, the infrastructure installed at the synagogue in Halle, Germany, helped thwart a Yom Kippur terror attack, preventing the loss of life. Following the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war in 2022, Helmsley stepped up to provide critical funding to assist Jewish refugees seeking to make Aliyah to Israel. These efforts reflect Helmsley’s unwavering commitment to protecting Jewish communities and supporting their safety, resilience, and future.
However, the need for security continues to grow. The Jewish Agency’s Security Division has identified more than $25 million in unmet security needs worldwide, as Jewish communities face mounting threats and increased vulnerability. Regional initiatives alone — such as control room construction, staff training, and community awareness campaigns — require an additional $6.9 million in funding. As global antisemitism rises, continued and expanded support for the Security Fund is essential to safeguarding Jewish life and ensuring communities can gather, worship, and educate in safety.
About The Jewish Agency for Israel
Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.
