TEPPERS MAKE EXTRAORDINARY $1 MILLION CONTRIBUTION, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN URGENT SECURITY NEEDS AT JEWISH INSTITUTIONS

Coordinated by Federation’s Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred, Teppers’ gift will provide $750,000 in rapid grants to scale up security at Jewish programs for children in the Palm Beaches

In response to a concerning rise of antisemitism since the October 7 attacks on Israel, we are pleased to announced a transformative $1 million gift by The Tepper Foundation, $750,000 of which provides rapid grants for increased security at Jewish institutions that serve the estimated 25,000 children in Jewish homes throughout the Palm Beaches. Through this groundbreaking new initiative, grants will be immediately available for nearly 40 local Jewish organizations, synagogues and schools to cover their increasing security costs for children’s programs. The additional $250,000 of the Teppers’ gift supports Federation’s Annual Campaign, addressing a variety of causes in the Jewish community.

Focused on ensuring that Jewish children and their families can continue to strengthen their connection to Jewish values and traditions in safe environments, the Teppers donated this gift to the Federation’s pioneering Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred. Established in 2023, the Center is an expansion of the Federation’s longstanding commitment to confronting hatred against Jews and other identity-based groups. The Federation, a leading force in efforts to address the rising tide of antisemitism and threats to Jewish institutions, is facilitating and distributing the emergency grants utilizing a request-for-proposal process.

According to published reports on Florida by the FBI and ADL, Palm Beach County has experienced the most antisemitic incidents of all counties in Florida, which ranks fourth highest among states for such incidents. Antisemitic hate crimes accounted for 80 percent of the religiously motivated crimes in Florida.

The gift was made from The Tepper Foundation’s new Security Fund, created in late 2023 to bolster security measures for Jewish communities and college campuses in the wake of rising antisemitism. The Foundation noted that communities’ continued needs of increased security have often been at the expense of other budget items. The Foundation’s national effort supports security needs so each organization can continue meeting the needs of children in the classroom and on the playground.

Beyond this vital new initiative, the Palm Beach Center leads security strategy and trainings with local and national law enforcement, spearheads legislation like the Public Nuisance Act to elevate penalties for many antisemitic acts and conducts outreach in the broader community. The Center’s events include a tour to Israel for non-Jewish leaders and a tailored visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC for local teachers, in partnership with inSIGHT Through Education.

Acknowledging the Teppers’ generosity to the Palm Beach Center and their Prime Minister’s Council membership supporting Federation’s Annual Campaign, they are now Founding Community Visionaries. At this esteemed giving level, the Teppers are among leaders who contribute $1 million or more to Federation as part of Campaign for the Future, the boldest fundraising initiative in the local Jewish community’s history. With a goal of $250 million by 2026, Campaign for the Future addresses the growing needs of one of North America’s largest communities for today, tomorrow and forever.

Click here to learn more about Federation’s Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred.

Click here for resources available to report and stand up to acts of hatred.

More about The Tepper Foundation

The Tepper Foundation supports organizations working on the frontlines to expand opportunity — from promoting food and housing security to protecting fundamental rights. By working hand-in-hand with our grantee partners, the Foundation identifies needs in communities and strives to meet them. The Foundation is responsive to moments of great need; quickly deploying resources in the wake of unforeseen crises and natural disasters through our nimble approach to giving. Visit tepperfoundation.org for more.