Homeland Security Bill Includes $13M in 'Jewish Earmarks'

Orthodox and Federations Applaud Measure

http://forward.com/articles/215988/homeland-security-bill-includes-...

CLAUDIO PAPAPIETRO

Security at a Cost: Congregation B’nai Israel of Staten Island installs new windows, paid for by a federal grant.

By JTA

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security passed by Congress Tuesday includes $13 million for security at religious and other nonprofit institutions.

The Orthodox Union, Jewish Federations of North America and Agudath Israel of America applauded the passage of the funding bill, which still needs to be signed into law by President Barack Obama. The three organizations had spearheaded efforts to get the funding for religious and nonprofit institutions approved.

Since its inception nine years ago, the Nonprofit Security Grants Program has provided more than $110 million to Jewish schools, synagogues and other nonprofits. The money can be used for security training and improved security infrastructure.

“Anti-Semitism continues to grow abroad and at home, and the NSGP is essential to ensuring the safety and security of our community’s synagogues and schools,” said Nathan Diament, OU executive director for public policy.