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Beth Gavriel Bukharian Congregation in Forest Hills is one of the facilities that have been awarded $75,000 to install enhanced security measures.
By Forum Staff
Several borough Jewish facilities have been awarded a total of $450,000 in federal funding for security improvements, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) announced on Friday.
The funds, allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, provides nonprofit organizations with funding for target-hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities. Funding from NSGP grants can be used for such items as barriers, gates, safety gear, surveillance equipment, and other measures. In order to qualify for NSGP funds, nonprofits must face a high risk of a terrorist attack, Meng noted.
“With anti-Semitic incidents on the rise, it is critical that Jewish institutions have appropriate resources to protect their properties, and this funding will go a long way towards helping these Queens facilities guard against threats and attacks,” Meng added. “The safety and security of students, organization members and congregation members must be the top priority of any school, organization or synagogue. I am pleased that our borough is receiving its fair share of these critical and very competitive federal grants.”
Each of the following facilities receiving funds was awarded the maximum grant amount of $75,000:
• Jewish Institute of Queens in Elmhurst
• Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens in Kew Gardens
• Beth Gavriel Bukharian Congregation in Forest Hills
• Central Queens YM & YWHA in Forest Hills
• Queens Yeshiva Ketana in Fresh Mead
