From Lino Covarrubias, CEO of Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest
Recently, I had the privilege of joining more than 400 Jewish communal leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., as part of a national advocacy mission organized by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). I was honored to represent Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest as part of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) delegation.
Our purpose was clear and urgent: to ensure that federal lawmakers understand the growing security challenges facing Jewish institutions and other vulnerable nonprofit organizations, and to advocate for the resources needed to keep our communities safe.
This advocacy mission came at a time when antisemitism is rising, threats against faith-based institutions continue to increase, and many community organizations are being forced to devote substantial resources to security measures that were once unimaginable. Across the country, synagogues, Jewish schools, community centers, and human service agencies are investing in cameras, access controls, security personnel, training, and emergency preparedness in order to protect those they serve.
During our meetings with members of Congress and their staff, we advocated for a number of priorities designed to strengthen community security and resilience, including:
- Increasing funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) by $1 billion annually to help protect vulnerable faith-based and community institutions.
- Providing federal support for the extraordinary security personnel costs many organizations now face.
- Expanding FBI resources dedicated to combating domestic and international terrorism targeting Jewish communities.
- Strengthening federal assistance to local law enforcement agencies responsible for protecting houses of worship and community institutions.
- Addressing online hate speech and incitement to violence that fuel antisemitism and extremism.
A particularly moving moment occurred when Rabbi Shlomo Noginski of Shaloh House in Brighton shared his personal experience of surviving a violent antisemitic attack in 2021, when he was stabbed outside his school. His testimony served as a powerful reminder that the threats facing Jewish institutions are not theoretical. They are real. They are personal. And they are happening in our own communities.
As CEO of JFS, I felt it was important to bring a somewhat different perspective to these conversations. While many discussions focused on protecting Jewish institutions, I reminded lawmakers that the impact of these investments extends far beyond the Jewish community.
Every day, JFS serves individuals and families from every background, faith tradition, and walk of life. We help older adults remain independent, support families experiencing food insecurity, assist immigrants and refugees rebuilding their lives, provide mental health services, and help people navigate some of the most difficult moments they will ever face. Many of the people who walk through our doors are not Jewish. Yet every one of them deserves to feel safe when accessing essential services.
That is why programs like the Nonprofit Security Grant Program matter so much. Although often discussed through the lens of protecting Jewish organizations, these grants strengthen the broader social safety net. When a nonprofit can protect its staff, volunteers, clients, and visitors, the entire community benefits. Security is not just about protecting buildings—it is about protecting people.
The experience in Washington reinforced something I have learned throughout my 18 years at JFS: advocacy matters. Decisions made in Washington directly affect communities here in MetroWest. By sharing our experiences and the realities facing organizations on the ground, we can help shape policies that make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient.
I am grateful to CJP for the opportunity to participate in this important mission and to the legislators who took the time to listen. At a time when fear and division too often dominate the headlines, investing in community safety is an investment in our shared future. Every person should be able to worship, learn, volunteer, seek help, and gather in community without fear.
That is a goal that benefits all of us.