Meng Announces $1.6 Million in Federal Funds to Help Queens Jewish Facilities Improve Security

July 2, 2020
Press Release

Nonprofit Security Grants will help 16 borough synagogues and educational institutions with protecting their properties against threats and attacks

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, announced today that $1.6 million in federal funding for security improvements has been awarded to 16 Jewish facilities throughout Queens, along with funds for two Christian facilities.
The funds are allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program, the initiative that provides houses of worship and nonprofit entities with funding to protect their properties against threats and attacks. The grants, which are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), cover target-hardening and other physical security enhancements such as barriers, gates, safety gear, surveillance equipment, and other safety measures.
Each Queens facility receiving funds, which consist of synagogues and educational institutions, was awarded the maximum grant amount of $100,000. They include the following:
  • Reform Temple of Forest Hills
$100,000
  • Young Israel of Hillcrest
$100,000
  • Rabbinical Seminary of America in Kew Gardens Hills
$100,000
  • Young Israel of Queens Valley in Kew Gardens Hills
$100,000
  • Torah Center of Hillcrest
$100,000
  • Forest Hills Jewish Center
$100,000
  • Jewish Center of Forest Hills West in Middle Village
$100,000
  • Shaarey Bnos Chayil Institute in Kew Gardens Hills
$100,000
  • Congregation Ohr Menachem in Forest Hills
$100,000
  • Utopia Jewish Center in Fresh Meadows
$100,000
  • Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills
$100,000
  • Touro College in Forest Hills
$100,000
  • United Talmudical Seminary in Glendale
$100,000
  • Jewish Institute of Queens in Elmhurst
$100,000
  • Bais Yaakov Academy for Girls in Kew Gardens
$100,000
  • Yeshiva of Central Queens in Kew Gardens Hills
$100,000
"Following the increase in hate crimes and anti-Semitic incidents, it is vital that Jewish facilities have the resources they need to protect themselves, and these critical funds will be a huge help in guarding against attacks here in Queens," said Meng. "For years, I have worked to expand funding and awareness of these grants, and after last December's horrifying attack in Monsey, I urged more local facilities to apply. Many did so and I'm pleased to have worked with several of them to help secure this money. We cannot let our guard down for a moment. Safety and security must continue to be the number one priority, and I remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure that Jewish facilities are protected from those who seek to do harm."
The grant awards come after Meng held a workshop in Queens this past January that helped houses of worship and nonprofits in the borough learn about the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and how they could successfully apply for funding. The Congresswoman hosted the event in Kew Gardens prior to this year's application deadline which was in March.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee – the panel that funds all U.S. government agencies, programs, and projects, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – Meng has helped to increase funding of the grants over the last several years, boosting the initiative to a record $90 million for current fiscal year 2020.
Meng also announced grants for the following non-Jewish facilities:
  • Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Bayside
$57,000
  • Church on the Hill in Flushing
$61,004