Five Towns shuls receive federal funding for security

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, who represents the 4th Congressional District, announced that the United States Department of Homeland Security has awarded roughly $1.3 million to 14 Jewish and other faith-based organizations in the 4th district. Four of those organizations are in the Five Towns.

The funding will go towards security enhancements. It was awarded through DHS’s 2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which supports target hardening and physical security enhancements at non-profit organizations that are at a higher risk of a terrorist attack.

Rice said that securing the funding was imperative due to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the past year.

“The rise in these incidents hasn’t stopped even during this pandemic, when Jews have been faced with hateful conspiracy theories accusing them of spreading the virus” Rice said. “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.”

Five Towns faith-based organizations that received funding include: Bais Medrash of Harborview in Lawrence, Chabad of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst, Yismach Moshe in Woodmere and Congregation Bais Ephraim in Woodmere.

Rabbi Zvi Ralbag of Congregation Bais Ephraim noted his appreciation for Rice’s efforts in securing funding. “I want to thank Congresswoman Rice,” Ralbag said. “Security is of paramount importance and when we reached out to the Congresswoman she really came through for our synagogue and our community. She’s always there for us and she’s a real representative of the people.”

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) assisted Rice in obtaining the funding. He said that it is vital to protect local shuls.

 "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,” Kaminsky said. “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."