In a big win for New York’s Jewish day schools, yeshivos, and all nonpublic educational institutions, Assemblyman Sam Berger (D-Kew Gardens Hills) announced that the FY2026 New York State budget will include $70 million in funding for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) grant program — helping thousands of students stay safe amid a sharp rise in antisemitism and hate crimes.
This sustained funding level reflects the hard work of Berger and a coalition of over 50 fellow legislators, who jointly advocated for nonpublic school security as an urgent statewide priority. The funding will continue to provide vital safety equipment to more than 1,400 nonpublic schools serving approximately 400,000 students — around 15% of the entire state’s school-age population.
“With threats and hate crimes at our religious institutions on the rise, we must do more to keep children safe and secure as they learn,” said Assemblyman Berger. “In a post-October 7 world, the legislature has a duty to prioritize protecting children and students from the rising threats of antisemitism, hate crimes, and violence. Our commitment to safety must be unwavering.”
Originally launched in 2013-14 with just $5 million, the NPSE grant has grown steadily over the past decade — now reaching $70 million as security needs have surged across the state. In the last year alone, NYPD data shows that hate crimes rose by 16%, and the number of reported antisemitic incidents doubled — from 100 between October 2022 and January 2023 to 193 during the same months in 2023-2024. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force further reported 12 more antisemitic incidents in January 2024 than in the previous year.
Nationally, the FBI reported that between 2018 and 2022, the number of hate crimes reported in schools and colleges nearly doubled, underlining the importance of school-based protections. Many of these attacks target visibly Jewish students and institutions, prompting yeshivos and day schools to invest heavily in surveillance systems, entryway reinforcements, and upgraded emergency communication protocols.
Yet for many families and school boards, these protections come at a steep cost.
“Security remains a major concern for our communities, and is especially critical at this time when faith-based crimes are at an all-time high,” said Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS. “This $70 million represents a big step in protecting more of our students, including those that attend Jewish, Islamic, and Catholic schools — and ensuring that financial burden of protecting them does not fall on our families.”
One school that has benefited firsthand is Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ), located in Berger’s district.
“The NPSE Grant has helped us upgrade lighting, electrical, and other important security work to ensure the safety of the students in YCQ,” shared Malka Fishman, Executive Director of YCQ. “We are very fortunate to be a recipient of the NPSE Grant and look forward to the expanded funding next year.”
With nonpublic schools already spending thousands annually on basic safety needs, the NPSE program ensures families don’t bear the full brunt. In real terms, the funding equates to over $100 per student, directly invested into improving safety conditions and emergency preparedness.
Berger, the only Orthodox Jewish member of the State Assembly, has consistently prioritized security for yeshivahs, girls’ high schools, and special education centers across Queens and beyond. In 2024, he also allocated $300,000 in state funding to Queens Borough Safety Patrol (QBSP) Shmira, ensuring that neighborhood patrols and rapid response remain active and well-resourced throughout the five boroughs.
This multi-layered approach — combining institutional funding with grassroots community safety — reinforces the message that the protection of Jewish life and education is not negotiable.
For questions about the NPSE grant or further assistance, community members are encouraged to reach out to Assemblyman Berger’s office by contacting Ricky Malone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
