Hesse doubles funding for Jewish communities

The state government of Hesse has extended a state treaty with the Association of Jewish Communities in Hesse for an additional five years. As part of this agreement, financial support for Jewish communities will be gradually doubled from the current four million euros to eight million euros by 2031.

When accounting for other state subsidies, the total funding is expected to reach 10.7 million euros in 2027 and 11.4 million euros by 2031. Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein described the extension as a “clear sign to strengthen and protect Jewish life in Hesse.”

The agreement also renews provisions for security measures between the state, the association, and the Jewish community in Frankfurt. This includes funding for security personnel and the operation of video surveillance systems, such as the one monitoring the area around the Frankfurt Westend Synagogue. These measures come amid rising antisemitic incidents; the Hessian Ministry of the Interior reported 374 antisemitic crimes in 2025, a 4.8 percent increase.