Gottheimer Announces $2.1 Million in New Counterterrorism and Nonprofit Security Grants for Local Temples, Churches, Religious Schools & Organizations

Press Release

Today, Monday, July 26, 2021, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced that fifteen organizations throughout New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District -- houses of worship, schools, and local community organizations -- received new Nonprofit Security Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The $2.l million in federal investment, which is the largest award ever for the Fifth District and the largest award of every Congressional District in the State, will provide security for churches, mosques, temples, religious schools, and other organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack from homegrown and lone-wolf ISIS-inspired terrorists and white supremacists.

This program is critical to protecting North Jersey families and communities nationwide from violent threats.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program investment is to enhance the protection of soft targets and crowded places through operational coordination; public information and warning; intelligence and information sharing; interdiction and disruption; screening, search, and detection; access control and identity verification; physical protective measures; and risk management for protection programs and activities. It also provides for safety and security through security guards, physical security enhancements like closed circuit television security cameras, training, security screening equipment for people and baggage, and access controls like fencing, gates, and barriers.

Gottheimer has worked closely with religious organizations, counties, towns, and local organizations to help apply for and win competitive federal security grants, clawing back our federal tax dollars to fight homegrown terror. Several of the organizations succeeded in securing the maximum amount of grant investment of $150,000 for 2021.

"This whole program is about fighting against antisemitism and hate and white supremacy and lone-wolf terror. It is about protecting against anyone who seeks to harm our families," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security."This is about making sure that our churches and our synagogues and our mosques are safe, and that religious institutions and freedom, which are so deep at the heart of who we are, are safe."

"We thank you for the grant that will allow us to practice our religion without worrying, and that our families, our children can sit and relax and not worry about the threats that surround us," said Nissan Clark, the Community Security Service Manager for Rinat Yisreal.

"Year after year, Congressman Gottheimer has fought successfully to increase the investment of the non-profit security grant program. His efforts to secure funding ensures that our places of worship will be protected in the face of increasing anti-semitism, hate filled violence and acts of terror. We are extremely grateful to Congressman Josh Gottheimer and to Homeland Security for the NSGP funding, which enables congregants from all faiths to worship in peace without having to worry about their safety and security," said Deena Seelenfreund, NJ Regional Manager from Community Security Service and Head of Security for Keter Torah.

Gottheimer was joined today by Teaneck Township Manager Dean Kazinci, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Josef Katz, President of Congregation Keter Torah; Deena Seelenfreund, NJ Regional Manager from Community Security Service and Head of Security for Keter Torah; Nissan Clark, Community Security Service Manager for Rinat Yisrael; Teaneck Councilmembers Karen Orgen and Keith Kaplan, and Orthodox Union representative Ben Hutt.

The Fifth District organizations receiving the Nonprofit Security Grants for Fiscal Year 2021 are:

· Ben Porat Yosef, Inc., Paramus - $150,000

· Christian Health Care Center (Sicomac Ave.), Wyckoff - $149,600

· Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River - $150,000

· Congregation Beth Aaron of Teaneck, Teaneck - $150,000

· Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun Barnert Memorial Temple, Franklin Lakes - $150,000

· Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck - $150,000

· Fair Lawn Jewish Center, Fair Lawn - $66,650

· Jewish Community Center of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah, Paramus - $137,500

· Jewish Family & Children's Services of Northern New Jersey, Inc., Teaneck - $150,000

· Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, Old Tappan - $150,000

· Northern Teaneck Synagogue Association dba Cong. Keter Torah, Teaneck - $150,000

· Sephardic Congregation Shaarai Orah of Teaneck, Inc., Teaneck - $150,000

· Sinai Special Needs Institute, Teaneck - $150,000

· Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, New Milford - $150,000

· Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge - $150,000
Watch the press conference here.

Source