Local Jewish Groups Get $1.7 Million For Security Upgrades

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $1.7 million for security enhancements to Jewish organizations in the 4th Congressional District.

The funding was awarded to the organizations through the 2019 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which supports target hardening and physical security enhancements at nonprofit organizations that are at a higher risk of a terrorist attack.

“In the last year alone, religious organizations across the United States have seen an alarming increase in violence and domestic terrorism,” said Rice, a Democrat from Garden City. “From the synagogue shootings in Poway and Pittsburgh to a series of church burnings in Louisiana, to the mosque shooting in New Zealand, our houses of worship are clearly vulnerable. So, it’s important that we remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect potential targets in our community.”

Each of the following organizations received $100,000:

• Agudath Israel of the Five Towns (Cedarhurst)
• Congregation Bais Tefilah of Woodmere
• Congregation Beth Ohr (Bellmore)
• Congregation Bnai Torah of Lawrence
• Congregation Ohr Torah (Valley Stream)
• Congregation Shaaray Shalom (West Hempstead)
• Irving Place Minyan (Woodmere)
• Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach
• Merrick Bellmore Synagogue
• Rabbinical College of Long Island (Long Beach)
• Temple Am Echad (Lynbrook)
• Temple Avodah (Oceanside)
• Temple Beth Am the Reform Congregation of Merrick and Bellmore, Inc.
• The Center for Jewish Life (Merrick)
• Torah High School of Long Beach
• Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst
• Young Israel of Long Beach