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Thursday October 4, 2007

Jewish groups secure bulk of security funding

by beth young
jta

Jewish institutions will receive the bulk of U.S. federal funds earmarked this year to help secure nonprofit organizations.

The $24 million in total grants announced by the Department of Homeland Security last week vary in amounts, with $100,000 the maximum. The funds are used to provide everything from roadblocks to security cameras to blastproof doors and windows .

Of the 308 grants awarded through the Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program, 251 are being allocated to Jewish groups, totaling $19.6 million.

Paul Goldenberg, director of Secure Community Network, the Jewish community’s national security alert organization in Manhattan, said he believes the potential for future attacks against Jews in America cannot be underrated. “Anywhere Jews gather is a potential target,” he said.

The research bears out Goldenberg’s concerns.

According to United Jewish Communi- ties, DHS conducted a two-phase assessment based on investment justifications and state, local and national law enforcement review. “The result underscores a troubling fact: The Jewish community is at risk in a way and at a level not shared by other groups,” Goldenberg said.

“Since Sept. 11, nonprofits and Jewish institutions have been the victims of an alarming number of threats and attacks,” said William Daroff, UJC’s vice president of public policy.

Goldenberg said that despite the high level of security concerns at Jewish institutions, it is important not to “get to the point where we’re building walls around our synagogues and federations.”

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