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Jewish summer camps ramping up security measures amid rising antisemitism — and parents are footing the bill

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As antisemitism rises across the U.S., Jewish summer camps are ramping up security, with some introducing additional charges while working to combat threats before they arise.

FBI crime data shows that between March 2025 and March 2026, the U.S. recorded 2,421 religion-based hate crime incidents, 1,395 of which targeted Jews. There are hundreds of Jewish summer camps across North America serving tens of thousands of children each year.

A recent attack on a Michigan synagogue highlighted the dangers facing Jewish institutions and the people who rely on them, including children.

On March 12, Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Lebanon-born American, allegedly rammed his vehicle into Temple Israel, a large reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, at approximately 12:30 p.m. before exiting the vehicle with a rifle and exchanging gunfire with a security guard, who shot and killed him. Preschool students and staff were forced to evacuate for their safety.

AFTER MICHIGAN ATTACK, JEWISH TEENS SHOW ANTISEMITISM WON’T DEFINE THEM

In the wake of the attack, police departments across the country increased patrols at houses of worship, Jewish institutions and other vulnerable sites. With summer approaching, camps across the country are preparing themselves so they can give children a fun and safe summer.

Secure Community Network (SCN) National Director and CEO Michael Masters told Fox News Digital that the response to the attack in Michigan was the product of “years of preparedness” and investments in security.

“That investment paid off in lives saved,” Masters said.

SCN, which works with Jewish institutions across North America, launched an initiative focused on summer camps in April 2024. The organization told Fox News Digital that since the initiative’s launch, it has trained over 5,000 camp-related individuals, conducted over 100 facility assessments and walkthroughs and secured $2.2 million in federal funding.

Masters also spoke about SCN’s recently-released list of 10 questions to ask camps before sending children off for the summer and encouraged parents to “be persistent” when asking about safety. The questions cover a variety of topics, such as missing camper procedures, availability of first aid kits and tourniquets and how the camp controls access to its facility, among others.

“Parents should ask, ‘was your camp one of those that got an assessment?’ ‘Was your camp, one of the those that got trained?’ ‘Do your counselors know what to do?’ And the camp should be able to answer that question,” Masters said. He added that SCN provides its trainings to institutions for free.

“At the end of the day, a summer camp is still the most vulnerable space that we need to provide security for consultation and guidance,” SCN Director of National Programs Jim Tarasca told Fox News Digital.

Tarasca, who worked in the FBI for over 25 years and served as the Special Agent in Charge of the bureau’s Detroit Field Office, noted that many camps are located in rural areas, presenting challenges such as communications barriers, including bad cellphone service. He also underscored the importance of empowering staff to see safety as “everyone’s responsibility,” rather than the job of designated security workers.

JEWISH SECURITY ORGANIZATION WORKING TO KEEP ITS COMMUNITY SAFE AMID ELEVATED TERROR THREAT

While some camps have included security fees in their tuition, others make it a separate line in their lists of session dates and costs. Some camps that list the security fee separately note that the additional charge is meant to offset rising costs of protecting the campers and staff. While security fees vary widely based on several factors, such as session length and whether it is a day or overnight camp, the charges reviewed by Fox News Digital went as high as $250, highlighting the growing costs.

National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Summer Director Elliot Tanzman told Fox News Digital that while the organization has always had security protocols, it has become “much more of a focus” in recent years, with the group adding new measures.

As part of its safety measures, NCSY has made changes to its apparel and giveaways because “we’re trying not to scream that we are a Jewish group,” according to Tanzman. While he acknowledged that the dress codes could be signals to some that the participants are Jewish, Tanzman also said that they are making an effort to “not be extra identifiable.”

“It hurts to say something like that where instead of having the word ‘Israel’ on some of our T-shirts, which we’ve had in the past because it’s part of the program name, we’ve shortened it just to say ‘NCSY’ or ‘JSU’ or one of our other brands in order to not bring up any forms of antisemitism that we wouldn’t want to experience over the summer,” Tanzman said.

Jamie Simon, CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that safety and security were a top priority for summer camps. The foundation, according to Simon, can provide guidance from security partners, crisis communications resources and more to help camps continue to operate while keeping kids and staff safe.

“As new challenges emerge, the field is not starting from scratch: camps are experienced, prepared, and deeply committed to the well-being of every young person in their care,” Simon said. “This is a pivotal moment for Jewish life, and Jewish camp offers a joyful, immersive, and proven space where young people develop pride in their Jewish identity, deep friendships, and a sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime.”

Summer camp has played a large role in Jewish American life for more than 120 years. Sunrise Lake Camp, which was founded in 1902, is one of the oldest in the country. The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York noted that Sunrise Lake Camp was initially founded to give boys in urban areas the chance to experience nature and escape the city heat. Sunrise Lake Camp alumni includes several celebrities, such as Neil Diamond, Jerry Stiller and Gene Simmons.

Fox News Digital’s Eric Mack contributed to this report.

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Stephen A Smith says there is ‘no excuse’ for ‘biological men’ competing in women’s sports

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March 29, 2026

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Outspoken ESPN star Stephen A. Smith took a clear position in the ongoing debate about transgender athletes’ participation in girls and women’s sports.

“Biological men should not be competing against biological girls in sports, period,” Smith said during an appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” after the Olympics’ policy on transgender women was mentioned.

“What about protecting the young ladies? Young ladies going up against biological men — biological men — there is no excuse for that.”

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Smith then mentioned former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas.

OLYMPIANS REACT TO THE IOC’S POLICY CHANGE TO PROTECT WOMEN’S SPORTS

“Lia Thomas, for example, was a male, and he was ranked over 400th in the world. … And then he became a she. … And No. 1. Well … does it really take an Einstein to realize that there’s something wrong with that picture?”

Smith has previously spoken about his views on transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports, including during a February 2025 Radio Row interview ahead of that year’s Super Bowl.

“So, that’s how I look at it. LGBTQ rights and all that stuff, I’m in full support of that, but when transgender athletes — men — are transitioning to women and they’re competing in female sports, that’s a different animal to me,” he said.

“That’s not just about LGBTQ rights. That’s about preying on the rights of females out there everywhere who were born female, and they’re at a decided disadvantage.”

Those comments from Smith surfaced around the same time in 2025 when President Donald Trump signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order, which directed federal agencies to interpret Title IX based on biological sex at birth.

The NCAA complied with Trump’s executive order and changed its policy.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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Slain college student’s mother vows ‘fight for justice’ after illegal immigrant charged in Chicago killing

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March 29, 2026

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The mother of slain college student Sheridan Gorman is speaking out, vowing a “fight for justice” after the 18-year-old was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant earlier this month in Chicago.

Jessica Gorman delivered emotional remarks Saturday at a vigil in Yorktown Heights, New York, honoring her daughter, a Loyola University Chicago freshman whose life was cut short in what authorities describe as a sudden, violent attack.

“I want to say this gently, but honestly, as a mom. I’m angry,” Jessica Gorman said. “I’m like completely heartbroken, and we are going to fight for justice for our sweet Sheridan, and we’re going to fight for change.”

While acknowledging that “not everyone” will see the situation the same way, Jessica Gorman underscored what she described as a universal truth shared by parents.

WATCH: SENATE HEARING GOES SILENT AFTER ANGEL FATHER CONFRONTS TOP DEM OVER DAUGHTER’S DEATH

“At the heart of all of this, we all want the same thing — for your children and for ours to be safe, to be protected, and to come home,” Jessica Gorman said. “Because, at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about. All of our kids, every single one of them, protecting them, loving them, showing up for them. And that is how we honor her.”

Sheridan Gorman, a New York native, was killed at around 1:06 a.m. March 19 while with friends near a pier in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

Officials allege Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, fired one shot at the Loyola University Chicago student, killing her.

Gorman was reportedly only a few months away from completing her freshman year.

CHICAGO KILLING REIGNITES SANCTUARY CITY FIGHT AS ANGEL PARENT HEADS TO SENATE HEARING

Medina-Medina was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

At the vigil, the family’s attorney, Thomas Tripodianos, warned against what he described as growing complacency about public safety.

“If we accept this, even silently, then we are accepting a reality where young people are not as safe as they should be. And that is not acceptable,” Tripodianos said. “And there must be justice. Real justice.”

Family members and friends also shared memories of Sheridan, remembering her impact on those around her.

“Sheridan, you are deeply loved at Loyola,” Steven Betancourt, director of campus ministry at Loyola University Chicago, said. “You are deeply missed, and you will live on in the lives you touched and forever changed.”

ANGEL PARENTS SLAM ILLINOIS SANCTUARY LAWS AFTER ‘PREVENTABLE’ TRAGEDY IN STUDENT’S DEATH

The Gorman family has sharply criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, arguing that their daughter’s death “demands accountability.”

“She was doing something entirely normal — walking near her campus with friends. She should be here,” the Gorman family said regarding comments by Johnson.

The suspect appeared in court Friday and was ordered to remain in custody, according to FOX 32 Chicago.

He faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a gun.

Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report.

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Hormone therapy boosts weight loss drug results by 35% in women, study finds

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March 29, 2026

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For women struggling with weight gain after menopause, a new study suggests that adding hormone therapy to a popular obesity drug may lead to greater weight loss.

Postmenopausal women lost about 35% more weight when using menopausal hormone therapy alongside tirzepatide — a GLP-1-based, Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for overweight and obesity — compared to those taking the drug alone, according to a Mayo Clinic study.

The findings, published in February in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, highlight a possible new strategy for addressing weight gain after menopause, when hormonal shifts can increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

STOPPING OZEMPIC? NEW STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING WEIGHT REGAIN RESULTS AFTER GLP-1S

“This study provides important insights for developing more effective and personalized strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women,” Dr. Regina Castaneda, the study’s first author, said in a statement. 

Researchers analyzed 120 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity who took tirzepatide for at least 12 months, including 40 who also used hormone therapy and 80 who did not.

Hormone therapy is commonly used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, while tirzepatide helps regulate appetite and blood sugar.

WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD IMPACT SEXUAL HEALTH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS

Women in the hormone therapy group lost an average of 19.2% of their body weight, compared to 14.0% in the non-hormone group — about 35% greater relative weight loss — with more women reaching significant weight-loss thresholds, according to the study.

Despite the results, researchers emphasized that the study was observational and cannot prove cause and effect.

“Because this was not a randomized trial, we cannot say hormone therapy caused additional weight loss,” said Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study.

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Outside experts agree that the findings must be interpreted cautiously.

“As with all observational studies, we need to interpret this study with a grain of salt,” Dr. Gillian Goddard, a board-certified endocrinologist, told Fox News Digital. 

Goddard, who is also an adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that the findings show a link, but do not prove that hormone therapy, which usually includes estrogen, directly caused the additional weight loss.

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“There may be important differences between the two groups,” she added. “For one thing, the group taking estrogen may be healthier than the groups that didn’t take estrogen … Healthier people are more likely to eat a healthy diet and exercise in addition to taking tirzepatide. That could lead to more weight loss.” 

Symptom relief from the therapy may have also improved sleep and well-being, making it easier for the group to maintain diet and exercise routines, Hurtado Andrade noted.

Researchers also pointed to a possible biological explanation. Preclinical data suggest estrogen may enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1-based medications like tirzepatide, according to the study.

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Goddard said that theory is plausible but unproven.

“The other possibility is that estrogen interacts with tirzepatide in some way that makes it more potent,” she said, adding, “We will need randomized studies to get a better handle on that.”

As for safety, experts say using the two together appears safe for most women. However, hormone therapy is not recommended for all patients, especially those with a history of certain cancers, blood clots or other underlying health risks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers say future randomized trials will aim to confirm the findings and explore whether the combination also improves broader cardiometabolic health outcomes, according to the study.

“If confirmed, this work could speed the development and adoption of new, evidence-based strategies to reduce this risk for millions of postmenopausal women navigating this life stage,” said Hurtado Andrade.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.

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