New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is promising a stronger security presence around synagogues and Jewish institutions as the High Holidays approach, delivering the pledge from the same Manhattan synagogue where a worshiper and security guard were attacked during Shabbat services just two weeks ago.

Speaking at Central Synagogue, Hochul said New York would provide additional funding, protection and State Police support where needed. “If you need more protection, I will send the New York State Police here,” she told the congregation, promising that Jewish institutions would be fortified ahead of the holidays.

The location carried particular weight. Federal prosecutors say 46-year-old Larry Montes disrupted services at Central Synagogue before allegedly knocking over ceremonial silver candlesticks, punching a 63-year-old congregant and headbutting a security guard. The Justice Department has charged Montes with two federal hate crimes and damaging religious property resulting in bodily injury, on top of state hate-crime charges already filed against him.

The attack comes amid an extraordinary threat environment for Jewish New Yorkers. NYPD figures show that anti-Jewish offenses accounted for 178 of the city’s 322 confirmed hate crimes during the first half of 2026, or 55.3%, despite Jews comprising roughly 10% of the city’s population. Anti-Jewish hate crimes were also up slightly from the same period last year.

New York has been pouring additional money into protecting potential targets. Hochul’s administration announced up to $70 million this year through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program, which helps synagogues and other vulnerable nonprofit institutions pay for alarms, reinforced entrances, shatter-resistant glass, cybersecurity, training and other protective measures. Organizations can seek up to $250,000 each. The state says more than $131.5 million has already been awarded for over 1,700 security projects since Hochul took office.

Hochul has also signed new protections governing access to houses of worship. The law targets intentional interference or threatening conduct against people entering or leaving religious sites and allows police to establish security perimeters beyond 50 feet during demonstrations when necessary.

Her latest intervention also comes against a tense political backdrop in New York City. Hochul has publicly pushed back on Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his focus on Israel and has pledged to stand firmly against antisemitism. Mamdani, for his part, condemned the Central Synagogue attack as “horrifying” and said Jewish New Yorkers must be able to worship without fear.

Hochul told congregants that her response to antisemitism was shaped in part by what she witnessed in Israel after the October 7 massacre, including a visit to Kfar Aza. Now, with some of Judaism’s most heavily attended services approaching, the state is signaling that Jewish security will receive additional manpower and resources rather than assurances alone.