U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (NY-04) has announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $3.5 million for security enhancements to 20 Jewish nonprofit organizations in New York’s Fourth Congressional District. The funding was awarded through DHS’s FY 2021 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.
“No Long Islander should ever feel threatened or endangered because of their religious identity,” said Rep. Kathleen Rice. “But with antisemitism on the rise in this country, it is clear we must act to protect potential targets in our communities. This new federal funding will provide several synagogues, Jewish day schools and other nonprofit 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 needed to keep our communities safe.”
“We are grateful to Congresswoman Rice for our being the recipients of the FEMA 2021 Security Grant which will help us improve security at our synagogue, and allow the community to worship with peace of mind,” said Eli Chaikin, Head of Security at the Young Israel of North Woodmere, which received a $150,000 grant. “We thank Congresswoman Rice and her staff for their assistance during this process.”
“We are thrilled that we were chosen by the Federal government to receive this grant,” said Reuben Maron, Administrative Director of the Brandeis School in Lawrence, which received a $140,000 grant. “We have great ideas as to how this money can be used to upgrade the security of our building.”
In total, 20 organizations in NY-04 received grants through the FY21 NSGP.
This is the sixth consecutive year in which Rice helped secure funding for faith-based nonprofit organizations in New York’s Fourth Congressional District. NY-04 was awarded:
- FY 2020: $1.3 million to fourteen organizations
- FY 2019: $1.7 million for seventeen organizations
- FY 2018: $1.2 million for eight organizations
- FY 2017: $450,000 for six organizations
- FY 2016: $575,000 for eight organizations