Why It Matters

The Jewish Federations of North America Inc. (JFNA) is confronting an urgent crisis: antisemitism in America has reached levels that fundamentally threaten Jewish safety. JFNA is lobbying for federal solutions to address both immediate security threats and systemic discrimination.

The organization’s primary legislative push is the Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 1007/S. 558). Simultaneously, JFNA is fighting for expanded funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), with Jewish leaders demanding $500 million annually after attacks like the Capital Jewish Museum shooting. The congressional environment is unusually favorable, making this a critical window for JFNA to convert crisis into concrete legislative protection.

By the Numbers

JFNA spent $217,763 on in-house lobbying in the fourth quarter of 2025. Since 2003, JFNA has filed 136 lobbying disclosures, with its in-house team accounting for 79 filings and $15.35 million in total expenditures. The organization supplements internal efforts with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, which has filed 15 disclosures totaling $860,000 since 2022.

JFNA’s fourth quarter 2025 in-house team consists of six lobbyists led by Aaron M. Kaufman, who has represented JFNA exclusively since 2016 across 37 disclosures totaling over $7.2 million.

The Agenda

JFNA is lobbying on combating antisemitism and securing federal funding for Jewish community security. The organization’s primary focus is the Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 1007/S. 558), which would require the Education Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition when investigating discrimination complaints.

JFNA is also heavily advocating for increased NSGP funding through the DHS Appropriations Act, with Jewish leaders calling for $500 million annually following violent attacks on Jewish institutions. Beyond these headline issues, JFNA is lobbying on social services appropriations, including the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act and supporting the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act for veterans.

Broader Context

A joint ADL-JFNA report found that 55 percent of Jewish Americans experienced antisemitism in the past year, with 18 percent experiencing direct harm. Nearly 70 percent of all religion-based hate crimes reported to the FBI targeted Jews, despite Jews comprising roughly 2 percent of the U.S. population.

The crisis gained urgency following a May 21, 2025 shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where two Israeli Embassy staff members were killed. The suspect was later indicted on federal hate crime charges.

Congress has responded with bipartisan momentum. President Trump issued an executive order in January 2025 directing federal agencies to combat campus antisemitism. DHS awarded $94.4 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds to 512 Jewish organizations in June 2025, with an additional $110 million distributed in August.

The push for expanded NSGP funding operates within a broader interfaith coalition including organizations representing Muslim, Sikh, and Black church communities.

Between The Lines

The Antisemitism Awareness Act has gained bipartisan momentum, with a Senate HELP Committee business meeting on April 30, 2025, and a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on May 7, 2025 featuring JFNA testimony.

Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, along with Representatives Nadler and Goldman, jointly demanded increased NSGP funding at $500 million annually, embedded in the DHS Appropriations Act.

Competitive Landscape

JFNA supplements its in-house lobbying with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, which lobbies on identical priority issues. The Jewish War Veterans of the USA testified before House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on February 26, 2025.

The Bottom Line

JFNA spent $217,763 in fourth quarter 2025 lobbying on antisemitism legislation, security funding, social services, and veterans’ protections. The organization’s advocacy reflects both urgent priorities and longer-term objectives within a legislative environment where antisemitism has become a central congressional concern, with measurable bipartisan momentum supporting enhanced protections for Jewish communities.

Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article