Last year, the programme allocated $305 million to nonprofit organisations to help safeguard their facilities against potential attacks. With the recent increase, places of worship will need to apply to access the new round of funding
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced an additional $400 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing security for places of worship, particularly synagogues and mosques. This increase is in response to rising concerns about threats against Jewish and Muslim communities, partly fueled by the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Speaking from New York City, Schumer highlighted that this funding boost will be available through the existing federal Nonprofit Security Grant Programme. Religious institutions can apply for these funds to hire security personnel or install security cameras. “We’re going to keep funding so that no synagogue or other religious institution is going to have to live in the fear that they now live with,” Schumer stated.
Last year, the programme allocated $305 million to nonprofit organisations to help safeguard their facilities against potential attacks. With the recent increase, places of worship will need to apply to access the new round of funding.
The Anti-Defamation League reported that antisemitic incidents, including assault, vandalism, and harassment, more than doubled last year, reaching a record high following the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October.
Recently, at least three synagogues and a museum in New York received bomb threats. However, the New York Police Department determined these threats were not credible. New York state Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned on social media that state officials are “actively monitoring a number of bomb threats at synagogues in New York. Threats have been determined not to be credible.”
Hochul added, “We will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism. Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine also commented on social media, describing the synagogue bomb threats as “a clear hate crime, and part of a growing trend of ‘swatting’ incidents targeting Jewish institutions.”
