With the Yomim Noraim approaching, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a record $70 million in state funding to help nearly 290 nonprofit and community-based organizations across New York strengthen security against hate crimes, attacks and other threats.

The grants, administered through the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program, will help eligible organizations improve physical security at their facilities, enhance cybersecurity and take additional measures to protect employees and the people they serve.

Hochul also directed the New York State Police to increase their presence around sensitive locations, including synagogues and other Jewish institutions, and to coordinate closely with local law enforcement throughout the High Holiday period.

The announcement comes amid continued concerns over antisemitic incidents across New York. The governor noted that while overall violent crime has reached historic lows in many categories, hate crimes targeting New Yorkers remain a serious concern.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — and even as we’ve driven violent crime to historic lows, any increase in hate crimes is absolutely unacceptable,” Hochul said. “As Jewish New Yorkers prepare for the High Holidays, we’re accounting our record investment to protect sensitive sites and surging State Police resources to keep communities safe across our state.”

The latest funding brings the total awarded through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program during Hochul’s tenure to more than $200 million, supporting more than 2,000 projects statewide.

State officials said the increased security measures are intended to ensure that Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups can observe the upcoming holidays safely while strengthening protections against both physical attacks and online threats.