Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – commended the United States Senate for its passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) Appropriations Bill on Wednesday, which will keep the federal government funded through the end of this fiscal year and which contains critical funding for a Department of Homeland Security grant program that assists Jewish institutions, and other nonprofits, maintain the security of their facilities.

The $984 billion CR passed by a vote of 73 to 26 yesterday, and received final passage by the House today. The bill provides $10 million in funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s Non Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides nonprofit institutions with the resources to bolster their security infrastructure. Since the inception of this program, nearly $100 million in grants have been granted, many to religious Jewish institutions. The Orthodox Union’s Washington, DC office has worked in close partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America and other partners to ensure the ongoing funding of the NSGP.

Following the Senate passage of the CR, Nathan Diament, the Orthodox Union’s executive director for public policy stated:

“The Non-Profit Security Grant Program is an invaluable resource to our community, as many of our institutions lack the financial resources to make necessary improvements to their structural security. Thanks to this program, synagogues, schools and other nonprofits across the nation now have the ability to ensure the continued security and safety of their congregants. We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski who has been our partner and champion for this program since its inception, and ensured its funding in the current, challenging federal budget environment. We also appreciate the support of Senator Richard Shelby, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and other members of the Senate and House.

Furthermore, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and her senior staff have been essential partners for the past four years in the implementation of this program and other measures to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community, and for that we are grateful as well. ”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)