Paterson—Recalling the string of arson attacks that set fire to shuls and a rabbi’s house, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9th District) defended the  Homeland Security grant program that helps nonprofits improve their security infrastructure. The program’s budget has basically been cut in half–from $19 million to $10 million.

Last week, on the floor of the House, Pascrell called for additional funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. He said, “This is not a theoretical threat. This is a real threat. A string of antisemitic hate crimes took place just two years ago, targeting synagogues in Bergen County, New Jersey [the area] that I represent. These heinous attacks culminated in arson when a firebomb was thrown through the window of an Orthodox Jewish temple. [ed.note: The shul is located immediately adjacent to the rabbi’s residence, and the Molotov cocktail that was thrown landed in a bedroom window.] The residents included the rabbi, his wife and five children and his father. Thankfully the rabbi and his family escaped serious injury in this attack. …Local authorities have arrested the suspects and are in the process of bringing them to justice.”

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program “provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack,” according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.