Grants sought to fight antisemitism in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Hate crimes against Jews in the U.S. have risen as antisemitism fuels the violent harassment and terroristic threats seen in the community. Antisemitic incidents in Texas have grown to become a concern for many in the Jewish community. Leaders are in need of federal security grants to protect targeted groups of hate crimes.

“Safety and security are usually top of my mind and to a lot of families,” Rabbi Dan Septimus, CEO of Shalom Austin and a native Texan, said. “They want to make sure if they come to campus or partner institutions in this region, they know it’s a safe and secure experience.”

For Rabbi Septimus, the reality is his job is now just as much about protecting his community as it is providing spiritual counseling. In 2022, Texans experienced the fifth-most antisemitic incidents in the nation (212) and saw an 88% rise from the previous three years combined, according to the Anti-Defamation League. 

“Antisemitism has increased exponentially in the last decade… So, we have to make a lot of investments to ensure that we’re responding to that and being more proactive and not just reactive,” Rabbi Septimus said.

Daily conversations with Shalom Austin’s Director of Security Andy Dooher have been essential and the former federal agent believes an increase in community, state and federal funding has been key to helping halt hate crimes. 

To better their resisilience against a potential attack, “they’re target hardening grant funds,” Dooher said. “It’s to detect people where they might not belong. You can delay their enry, control access… [It’s] everything you can think of to make a facility hard.”

Nearly 60 Texas organizations, consisting of nonprofits and houses of worship, received $7.8 million this year for the annual FEMA aid to protect their citizens.

Nearly 60 houses of worship and nonprofit organizations across Texas received $7.8 million in federal security grants this past year. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

Advertisement

North Texas Reps. Colin Allred and Beth Van Duyne, who represents Colleyville, home to the Beth Israel synagogue hostage situation in 2022, have been at the top of this fight and will continue to push for increased funding until it’s no longer necessary.

North Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne says after the Beth Israel hostage situation in her district of Colleyville in 2022, additional security funding is needed with antisemitic activity increasing across Texas. (Spectrum News 1/Dylan Scott)

“Threats are not decreasing. We’re only seeing them increase,” Rep. Van Duyne said. “It would be great if the additional $300 million (nationally) in grants weren’t necessary. I think that’s what we’re all striving for, not having a need for these grants, but until we see the threats decrease and the security continues to increase, we’re going to continue to support those types of programs.”

Rabbi Septimus and Dooher continue to put their faith into those programs and safety measures, so Texas residents can live and worship in peace.

“This doesn’t just affect the Jewish community when we’re targeted. Many communities are targeted like us, so we want to coordinate together how we can all best address this issue,” Rabbi Septimus said,