The National Council of Young Israel today lauded Congress’ decision to pass bipartisan legislation that would deem houses of worship eligible for federal disaster aid. By a vote of 354-72, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R. 592), which would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Assistance Act by including houses of worship among the private nonprofit facilities that are entitled to federal funds when the president declares a major disaster, as he did after Hurricane Sandy.

“Hurricane Sandy taught us that Mother Nature does not discern between houses of worship and other residential and commercial structures,” said National Council of Young Israel President Farley Weiss. “As the heavy rains fell and water flooded the streets leaving a path of devastation in its wake, houses of worship unfortunately sustained the same considerable damage as everyone else in the affected areas. Passage of this legislation is a critical step towards ensuring parity in the distribution of federal relief funds. Houses of worship, which are an essential part of any community, deserve the same opportunity to rebuild as everyone else.”

The National Council of Young Israel expressed its gratitude to the bill’s lead sponsor, Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, as well as to the bill’s cosponsors, Representatives Grace Meng, Peter King, Eliot Engel, Michael Grimm, Hakeem Jeffries, and Carolyn McCarthy of New York, Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey, and Representative Trent Franks of Arizona.

In an effort to secure support for the bill and work towards its passage, the National Council of Young Israel reached out to its extensive network of over 150 synagogues in the United States and more than 25,000 member families and encouraged them to contact their Congressional representatives and urge them to support this important legislation.

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, many Young Israel synagogues suffered major electrical and infrastructure damage as the sea water destroyed electrical and heating systems and caused significant loss of property, including Torah Scrolls. The list of affected synagogues and communities includes Young Israel of Long Beach, Young Israel of Woodmere, Young Israel of North Woodmere, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Young Israel of Brighton Beach, Young Israel of Kings Bay, Young Israel of Oceanside, Young Israel of Wavecrest & Bayswater, Young Israel of Far Rockaway, Young Israel of Belle Harbor, Young Israel of Canarsie, and Young Israel of Margate, NJ.

(YWN Desk – NYC)