Agudath Israel Welcomes Continuing Strides in Securing Houses of Worship and At-Risk Nonprofits
Agudath Israel of America is welcoming the recent announcement by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that FY 2021 Preparedness Grants have been allocated. This funding includes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides allocations for target hardening and other security enhancements for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attack. The current funding level for NSGP is $180 million.
According to the Jewish Federations of North America, $115 million of this year’s funding will go to Jewish institutions. This represents a 92% increase over last year’s level.
“The NSGP has been a high priority for Agudath Israel since we worked with others to get it enacted over fifteen years ago and throughout the annual appropriations battles,” Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director Rabbi Abba Cohen said. “It has made our shuls, yeshivas and other community institutions safer and more secure, and it has saved lives.”
Recently, the House Appropriations Committee approved a funding bill that would keep the allocation at $180 million. But Rabbi Cohen noted that the steady uptick in antisemitic incidents, the strong support of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and other House and Senate members, and the broadening endorsement of other faith-groups, are creating momentum for a higher appropriation – perhaps a doubling to $360 million.
“We will certainly work hard with our allies on Capitol Hill, and in the faith-based and nonprofit communities, to make that happen,” Rabbi Cohen asserted.
On a related front, last week the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Pray Safe Act, legislation introduced by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The legislation would direct federal agencies to collect – and help faith-based entities, including houses of worship, to access – information on best practices, federal grants, and training programs to better safeguard their facilities. Agudath Israel is supporting this effort as well.
“Fighting antisemitic hate crimes requires a broad, multi-faceted approach and we will pursue every avenue to bring this scourge to an end.”
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