The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, welcomed congressional passage of a “clean” funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes $13 million for the Nonprofit Security Grants Program (NSGP). The House sent the legislation to President Obama; he is expected to sign it into law.

Religious institutions and other nonprofits will use the grants from the NSGP for target hardening and preparedness training to ensure the safety and security of their buildings and communities. The Orthodox Union spearheaded the creation of the NSGP nine years ago in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America and other coalition partners. In each subsequent year, the Orthodox Union has worked to ensure Congress’ annual appropriation of these funds. To date, the NSGP has delivered more than $110 million in total to Jewish and other nonprofit entities.

Nathan Diament, the OU’s Executive Director for Public Policy, expressed his appreciation for the inclusion of the NSGP in the overall Homeland Security bill. “We thank our champions in Congress who continue to fund the NSGP and appreciate their efforts to maintain and sustain this program each year. We particularly thank Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and Representative Hal Rodgers (R-KY 5th District) . 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.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)