U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (NY-04) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $12.6 million for security enhancements to nonprofit organizations in the greater New York City area, including over $1.3 million to 14 Jewish and other faith-based organizations in New York’s fourth congressional district. The funding was awarded through DHS’s FY 2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which supports target hardening and physical security enhancements at nonprofit organizations that are at a higher risk of a terrorist attack.
“This past year, we have seen an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents in New York and across the country. And it hasn’t stopped even during this pandemic, when Jews have been faced with hateful conspiracy theories accusing them of spreading the virus,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “We must respond to this threat by protecting potential targets in our community. This federal funding will provide several faith-based organizations with the ability to enhance their security and emergency response capabilities. I was proud to help secure these grants, and I will continue to fight in Congress for the resources and federal support our communities need to remain safe.”
“I want to thank Congresswoman Rice,” said Rabbi Zvi Ralbag of Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok in Woodmere. “Security is of paramount importance in today’s day and age, and when we reached out to the Congresswoman she really came through for our synagogue and our community. She’s always there for us. She’s a real representative of the people.”
“The significance of these grants in providing safety to citizens as they exercise the right to freedom of religion cannot be understated,” said Rabbi Eli Biegeleisen of the Lido Beach Synagogue. “No American should have to be afraid of acts of hate or terror in public gatherings. These funds help secure our houses of worship from becoming easy targets. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Congresswoman Rice, her colleagues in the federal delegation, and her staff in providing these much-needed funds.”
Fourth District organizations that received NSGP funding for FY 2020 include Bais Medrash of Harborview (Lawrence) $80,000, Chabad Lubavitch of the Beaches (Atlantic, Long, Lido) $99,871, Chabad of the Five Towns (Cedarhurst) $100,000, Chabad of West Hempstead $100,000, Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok (Woodmere) $100,000, Congregation Beth Tikvah (Wantagh) $100,000, Congregation Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park $100,000, Lido Beach Synagogue $100,000, Oceanside Lutheran Church $22,600, Temple Bnai Torah A Reform Congregation (Wantagh) $99,000, Temple Hillel Southside Jewish Center (Valley Stream) $100,000, Temple Zion Atlantic & Long Beach Jewish Center $99,015, Yismach Moshe (Woodmere) $100,000, and Young Israel of Oceanside $100,000.
This is the fifth consecutive year in which Rice helped secure funding for faith-based nonprofit organizations in New York’s fourth congressional district. In FY 2019, Rice helped secure $1.7 million for 17 organizations, in FY 2018 she helped secure nearly $1.2 million for eight organizations, in FY 2017 she helped secure $450,000 for six organizations, and in FY 2016 she helped secure $575,000 for eight local organizations.
State Senator Todd Kaminsky connected many synagogues in the community with the grant opportunity, assisted shul leaders with their grant applications, and wrote letters of support for them. “It is vital that we do all we can to protect our local shuls,” saud Kaminsky. “I was glad to work with Congresswoman Rice and our local rabbanim and lay leaders, to connect many of our local houses of worship with this grant opportunity and advocated for their applications. In Albany, I will continue to fight for more security funding for our shuls and yeshivas to ensure the continued safety and security of our community.”
