Leaders of Jewish organizations are calling on Congress to restore $30.5 million to a grant program that helps fund security measures at houses of worship.
The heads of the Secure Community Network, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Orthodox Union said they were deeply concerned about the funding cut from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
“These funds are not just grants; they are lifelines that have fortified vital institutions against hate and violence. The security measures these funds have supported at Jewish facilities across the country have saved lives and prevented tragedy,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “Together, we urge Congress to prioritize additional funding to make the NSGP program whole. Any national security supplemental must include funding for NSGP and there must be increased funding for NSGP in the FY2025 appropriations bill.”
The $30.5 million was cut from the security grant program last month as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s 10% reduction of its $1.2 trillion budget.
The Jewish leaders said the funding cut is particularly harmful amid an increase in antisemitic incidents and threats. Attacks on U.S. Jews have risen 360% since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist raid in southern Israel, according to a January report from the Anti-Defamation League.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, the ADL’s chief executive, said via email that the reduction is “unacceptable” and “disheartening.”
Mr. Greenblatt said the ADL remains “committed to working with Congress to pass a national security supplemental package to boost these security resources for Jewish institutions and all vulnerable communities.”
Funded at $15 million when it began in 2005, the grant program has been credited with helping synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions maintain and enhance their physical security.
Grant-funded security equipment was credited with helping save lives at Margolin Hebrew Academy in Memphis last summer when a gunman unsuccessfully attempted to enter the premises, according to Ezra Weinberger, communications manager for Secure Community Network.
But applications for grants have always exceeded the program’s funds, Mr. Weinberger said.
In fiscal 2023, religious groups applied for $600 million in funding, but only $305 million was allocated in grants.
A September 2023 statement by Sen. Chris Murphy, the Connecticut Democrat who chairs the Senate’s Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, said the 2023 funding fulfilled “just 42% of applications” that fiscal year.
In a telephone interview, William C. Daroff, chief executive of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said the reduction of funding means groups will have to take different approaches to security.
“We have been encouraging Jewish communities and institutions and organizations to utilize training that increases their situational awareness,” he said. “The cuts in the [NSGP] will require greater coordination between communities and local law enforcement in setting up patrols and on-duty presence.”
Mr. Daroff said the preventative spending funded by the NSGP “is preferable to having a wake-up call flow from terrorism and violence.”
Neither Mr. Murphy nor Senate Majority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, responded to requests for comment.
The Washington Times has also contacted the Department of Homeland Security requesting comment on the cut.
• Mark A. Kellner can be reached at mkellner@washingtontimes.com.
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