Jewish Advocacy Day in Dover
By Rabbi Ellen Bernhardt, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee
Photos provided by Jewish Federation of Delaware staff
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“It’s not up to us to finish the task, but we must not desist from trying.” (Ethics of the Fathers)
Security has become an essential and costly reality for Jewish institutions, particularly in the wake of October 7. While federal grants provide partial support, funding is declining even as the need grows, leaving communities to cover increasing gaps.
Twenty states have already established dedicated funds to support security at religious institutions. Delaware should follow suit. With guidance from national advocacy professionals and local leadership, the Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) organized a coordinated advocacy effort in Dover to advance this goal.
After weeks of preparation, 10 trained volunteers from JCRC and Jewish Federation of Delaware met with state legislators
to address two priorities: the rise of antisemitism at both national and local levels, and the urgent need for sustainable security funding to protect houses of worship, schools, and community centers.
Branded “Lox and Legislators,” the initiative combined informal engagement with formal advocacy. Legislators were invited to meet over lunch, while individual meetings allowed for focused, substantive discussions. The response was positive, with several lawmakers expressing willingness to support and sponsor relevant legislation.
Governor Matt Meyer also met with participants and indicated his support. The day concluded with a strong sense of progress and partnership.
Building on this momentum, JCRC will continue its advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., and looks ahead to expanding this initiative in the coming year.
The following is a speech presented by JCRC Co-Chair Josh Schoenberg:
Members of the General Assembly,
My name is Josh Schoenberg, and I have the honor of serving as Co-Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Committee of Delaware. Thank you for welcoming us to Legislative Hall today.
Several members of Delaware’s Jewish community have joined us here in Dover to discuss an issue that affects not only our community, but every faith community across our state: the rise in antisemitism, hate crimes, and the urgent need for enhanced security at houses of worship and faith-based institutions.
For context, across the United States, the Jewish community spends over $1 billion each year simply to ensure that people can pray, learn, gather, and live Jewishly in safety. On average, Jewish institutions allocate approximately 14% of their total budgets to security alone.
This burden is often referred to as a “Jewish tax”—resources that should be directed toward education, programming, philanthropy, community-building, and spiritual life are instead diverted toward guards, cameras, reinforced doors, and emergency planning.
To put it plainly: this is similar to asking a family to choose between life-saving medication or putting food on the table. It is a choice no community should ever have to make.
We come before you today as one community—diverse in how we pray, diverse in our political beliefs, but united in our commitment to ensuring that every person of faith in Delaware can worship without fear. Our message is simple: the safety and security of the Jewish community strengthen the safety and security of all faith communities.
Thank you for your continued leadership and for your commitment to protecting the rights of all Delawareans to practice their faith freely, openly, and safely.
