WASHINGTON, D.C. โ Jewish Federations of North America have completed a landmark achievement with the full implementation of the multi-year LiveSecure initiative. Now operating in all 141 Jewish Federation communities across Canada and the United States, this comprehensive security program provides professional training for communal institutions, facilitates crucial funding for safety infrastructure, and maintains close collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
The programโs completion marks a vast improvement since the tragic Tree of Life synagogue shooting in 2018, when only a handful of Jewish communities had professionally organized security frameworks. โToday, we can say with pride and great relief, we did it,โ said Shira Hutt, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Federations, during the 2025 General Assembly plenary in Washington, D.C. However, she stressed that current threats extend beyond physical security to social, political, and cultural domains.
โSafety today cannot only be measured by security cameras and guard posts. Antisemitism has seeped into mainstream life, our schools, workplaces, universities, and online spaces,โ Hutt said. To address these evolving challenges, the Jewish Federations are expanding their focus to bolster civic engagement, bridge-building, and alliances with local communities, educators, business leaders, and public officials.
The 2025 General Assembly featured discussions with diverse voices, including journalist Olivia Reingold, Rev. Juan Rivera of the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition, and media founder Zibby Owens, all of whom reflected on strategies to confront rising antisemitism and safeguard Jewish life.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the gathering via video, emphasizing the enduring partnership between Israel and North American Jewry. โWe are one people. We have one future,โ he said, urging the community to stand firm against those who deny Israelโs existence and rights.
The Jewish Federations emphasize that combating antisemitism requires an integrated approach combining physical security with political advocacy and community cohesion. Initiatives supported by philanthropic foundations like the Tepper Foundation have enhanced security at synagogues, schools, and community centers, ensuring safer environments for Jewish life to flourish.
The program also stresses the importance of proactive legislative advocacy and public education to counter hate and foster understanding. Federations continue pressing government bodies to increase security funding and enact stronger hate crime deterrents.
In a year marked by intensified threats from various extremist sources, the Jewish Federationsโ comprehensive security and engagement strategy aims to build resilience and protect communities now and in the future.
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This article is based on verified information from Jewish Federations of North America, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and General Assembly reports.