They demanded that the award program receive$ 30 million in funding back from Congress.
In response to a surge in hatred in the United States, Israeli companies have expressed concern over the reduction of a grant program that provides funding for security procedures at places of worship.
In a recently passed spending bill, Congress cut$ 30.5 million from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program ( NSGP), marking a 10 percent decrease.
Since the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the deadliest attack ever against an American Jewish community, have synagogues and other Jewish nonprofits reportedly benefited from the grant program, which was started by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ).
According to Stephen Bryen, the author of the book” Security for Holy Places,”” Guards are the best overall safety funding because they actually act as a deterrent to criminals and terrorists.”
” Offers usually are awarded on an annual basis, so it is important for spiritual companies to apply for follow- up money”, he continued. ” If the amount of funds is cut, then obviously many wo n’t be able to pay for guards and other security improvements”.
” It is unacceptable that Congress is reducing the Volunteer Security Grant Program’s possible life-saving funding as challenges to our communities mount.” It’s disheartening to discover Congress fail to even maintain the status quo in the midst of the Oct. 7 murder in Israel, according to ADL National Director and CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt in a speech to The Epoch Times.
The American Jewish Committee, The Hebrew Institutions of North America, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Anti- Defamation League, and two other companies released a mutual declaration lamenting the decreased revenue.
” These funds have provided crucial support for safety enhancements such as security cameras, reinforced entry points, and disaster planning training”, they said. ” At-risk Jewish organizations and facilities have seen a significant increase in funding over the past two years alone, directly affecting the health and tenacity of communities across the country.”
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An armed think shot at the entrance to Margolin Hebrew Academy in Memphis last August, but the gates were blocked, which were strengthened thanks to the NSGP. Monitors, equipped via revenue from the plan, got the license plate of the alleged gunman, leading to his fear.
The Orthodox Union, which represents Conservative Jews, and the Secure Community Network, which collaborate with law enforcement to protect churches and other Jewish organizations and assists those organizations in obtaining money from the NSGP, both signed onto the joint declaration.
SCN communications manager Ezra Weinberger told The Epoch Times that nonprofits requested more than$ 600 million last year despite the NSGP only having$ 305 million for that fiscal year.
There is no doubt that the application cut this year will result in even more eligible and deserving applicants not receiving the support they need, he said. Applications are only anticipated to increase, he said.
He said that those who have less money to make up the difference will be forced to reduce their security measures.
Despite the cut, Jewish organizations have expressed hope that the House will pass the Senate- passed national security supplemental that—in addition to assistance for Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, and the Indo- Pacific—includes$ 400 million for the NSGP.
Many, if not most, House Republicans are opposed to the package due to the lack of border security measures.
While” there have been many criticisms of the government program, particularly the length of time it takes to actually get funds once an application is accepted ]at least a year or more ]”, said Mr. Bryen, “it is the best that is available”.
