United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien is grateful to announce that it is the recipient of a $100,000 early childhood security grant from The Tepper Foundation through Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

During a time when antisemitism is spreading across the nation, these funds have been awarded to help protect our most vulnerable population - our children. Specifically the funds are to be used for hiring security personnel to protect preschools, day camps and after-school programs, as well as supporting other faith communities’ security needs.

“We thank Jewish Federations of North America for building a partnership with the Tepper Foundation which allowed our Federation to apply and receive the maximum grant of $100,000 to help secure our community. Our collective community needs continue to increase daily, and UJF is grateful to receive this additional support to pass along to our local agencies. The community organizations receiving grants include: Stamford Jewish Community Center, Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy, Temple Sinai, Temple Beth El, Chabad of Stamford, Young Israel of Stamford, and Congregation Agudath Sholom,” shared Diane Sloyer, UJF CEO.

The Tepper Foundation has been a major partner with JFNA in response to the growing number of antisemitic incidents in the United States since the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel. The organization launched the Security Fund in November 2023 and has now made grants of more than $12 million across the nation to support the security needs of the American Jewish community.

“Right now, nothing is more important than protecting our children and giving them a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive as people,” said JFNA’s Chair Julie Platt. “We’re thrilled that the Tepper Foundation continues on this journey with us during such difficult times.”

The Tepper Foundation’s grants were awarded to 76 local Federations (of which UJF is one) across 30 states with a requirement that they be a recipient of Jewish Federations’ LiveSecure funding, the largest philanthropic effort to support Jewish security in North American history. LiveSecure participating Federations, all of which have established comprehensive security plans under the auspices of Jewish Federations of North America, have committed to building and strengthening relationships with other religious leaders and faith-based institutions in their communities by sharing their security expertise.

This is a new aspect of The Tepper Foundation’s commitment to security, aimed at improving interfaith relations as well as enhancing safety for all populations confronting hatred. Marshall Kurland, CEO of the Stamford JCC shared,

“Children’s lives are priceless, and with the generous support of the United Jewish Federation and The Tepper Foundation, we can continue to protect our future and ensure the safety of our community’s youngest members.” 

This article appears in the September '24 issue of The New Jewish Voice. To receive The New Jewish Voice delivered free to your home, sign-up today at www.ujf.org.