(Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ) Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ is pleased to announce that 14 synagogues and partner agencies in our community received, collectively, $1.4 million for security upgrades, amounting to approximately $100,000 each. Our chief security officer, Robert Wilson, provided assistance, as needed, throughout the process—informing the organizations of the available funds, administering security assessments and helping with grant writing.
“There are so many ways we can make our Greater MetroWest Jewish institutions physically safer and more secure,” Wilson said. “I’m glad we’re able to help them take advantage of the federal funding available and I’m eager to help them efficiently and effectively put the grant money they receive to good use.”
Greater MetroWest received 14 out of the 77 (18%) of the grants awarded to nonprofits in the state of New Jersey.
In FY 2019, the NSGP is providing $60 million in funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. Of this amount, $50 million in funding was available to nonprofit organizations located within one of the specific high-risk urban areas. “The intent of the FY 2019 NSGP is to competitively award grant funding to assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining the resources required to support and integrate preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.”
The genesis of FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, led by Jewish Federations, came into being in reaction to nationwide FBI warnings in June 2002 that terrorists using fuel trucks might attempt to attack Jewish schools or synagogues. Prior to the establishment of the NSGP, there was no committed, coordinated, uniform, centralized program that promoted and ensured that at-risk nonprofit institutions participated in and benefited from meaningful federal, state and local homeland security efforts. The NSGP changed this. Earlier this year, the advocacy and lobbying efforts of national Jewish Federations system resulted in Congress approving $60 million for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, within the final spending package for fiscal year 2019.
For more information about Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s Community Security Initiative and how it is working to ensure safety and resilience through partnership, preparedness and vigilance, visit the website at www.jfedgmw.org/community-security-initiative , or contact Robert Wilson at [email protected].
