NY Congressional members laud security funding

NEW YORK — Democratic Congressional members from New York are lauding the recent passage of increased funding to help improve security at houses of worship.

Ten Democratic U.S. representatives issued a statement on Thursday and nine of them appeared at a press conference at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Grant workshops will be held throughout New York City area in the coming months to help high-risk non-profit institutions learn about the program and apply for funding.

The politicians said that as part of legislation passed last month, Congress increased funding for the Non-profit Security Grant Program to $90 million, a 50 per cent increase from previous funding levels. The grants will help improve security at such institutions as synagogues, mosques, churches, and community centres.

On Saturday, a man rushed into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during a Hanukkah celebration, hacking at people with a machete and injuring five.

“…Everyone should be able to worship and pray in peace,” said the statement issued by Reps. Max Rose, Jerrold Nadler, Yvette Clarke, Eliot Engel, Hakeem Jeffries, Carolyn Maloney, Nita Lowey, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng and Nydia Velazquez.

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