Why It Matters
A historic surge in antisemitic hate crimes is forcing Congress to act on Jewish community security. The FBI recorded 2,237 Jewish victims of hate crimes in 2024—the highest number ever, with over 10,000 threat incidents tracked since October 2023. High-profile attacks—including the May 2025 killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. and a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado—have galvanized bipartisan congressional response.
JFNA’s third quarter lobbying reflects urgent efforts to translate political momentum into policy: dramatically increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act to establish enforceable standards against campus discrimination.
By the Numbers
Jewish Federations of North America Inc. (JFNA) reported $212,738 in in-house lobbying expenditures for the third quarterof 2025, part of a sustained advocacy presence spanning two decades. The organization has filed 135 lobbying disclosures since 2003, reporting total expenditures exceeding $16.4 million.
JFNA complements internal operations with external expertise. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, hired in 2022, has received $860,000 through 2026 for appropriations and antisemitism legislation. Foley Hoag LLP, engaged in 2023, focuses on healthcare policy.
The Agenda
JFNA is pushing for increased Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding to protect Jewish institutions and passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act (S. 558), which would require the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s antisemitism definition in civil rights investigations.
Beyond civil rights, JFNA lobbies on social services, healthcare access, Medicare and Medicaid funding, refugee resettlement, and tax policy—particularly charitable giving incentives. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP handles appropriations and the Antisemitism Awareness Act, while Foley Hoag LLP manages healthcare matters.
Broader Context
Record-breaking antisemitic violence has created unprecedented legislative momentum. The Antisemitism Awareness Act has advanced through multiple Senate committee hearings, while lawmakers push for substantially increased security funding—Senator Charles Schumer calling for $500 million and Senator Richard Blumenthal urging $1 billion. Congress allocated $300 million for nonprofit security grants in fiscal year 2025-2026.
Campus antisemitism presents additional challenges. Over 50 student groups have been banned since October 7, 2023, while only 29 states mandate Holocaust education.
Competitive Landscape
JFNA operates within a coordinated advocacy coalition. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) pursues nearly identical priorities, focusing on the Antisemitism Awareness Act, Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding, and the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act. The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies complements this coalition on social service issues.
This unified approach has created significant legislative momentum, with bipartisan champions including Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Representative Mikie Sherrill.
The Bottom Line
JFNA’s $212,738 third quarter 2025 lobbying expenditure continues its established Washington presence, targeting Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding and the Antisemitism Awareness Act amid documented hate crime spikes and bipartisan congressional momentum. The organization leverages specialized external firms and coordinates with allied groups like the ADL to advance shared legislative priorities.
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