During Passover, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed into law the state’s budget, which included a line item under the Department of Administration to “add $500,000 state grant funding to provide additional security for Jewish centers of faith in [fiscal year] 2024.”
This funding was made possible by a collaboration between Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee and Jewish Federation, which prepared a case for funding and leveraged relationships to put the request in front of state leaders.
“We want to thank leaders in the Kansas House, Senate and the governor’s office for understanding the need for additional funding at a time of heightened antisemitism both locally and nationally,” said Derek Gale, vice president and chief operating officer at Jewish Federation. “The challenges and costs of securing our Jewish spaces continue to rise, and the state’s investment in our community’s safety at this critical time shows the care that Kansas has for its residents across all cultures, backgrounds and faiths who gather in our community spaces.”
With state funding now available, Federation is currently leading the process to access the funds to add physical security and security technology at the Jewish Community Campus and congregations in Kansas.
“We also want to express our deep gratitude to local Jewish community lay leadership for the guidance and diligence to make this outcome possible,” Gale said. “The funding will make everyone safer, starting almost right away.”
