The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center endorsed today the efforts of New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20) and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37) for introducing legislation (A-4253 & S-2634) which, if passed, will allocate vital funds to the state’s houses of worship, synagogues and nonprofits to bolster safety and security.

The bill proposes up to a $10,000 state grant per institution eligible to receive a Federal Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) award. The new funding will be used to hire security personnel at critical junctures throughout the year. Funding through the $1.5 million program will be allotted in three equal installments totaling up to $500,000 annually.

This legislation was inspired by the OU’s Advocacy Center’s pioneering work in the field. OU Advocacy spearheaded the creation of the Department of Homeland Security’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program in 2005 to assist synagogues, Jewish day schools and other nonprofits at risk of terror attacks to make their buildings more secure. To date, the NSGP has delivered more than $150 million to Jewish community institutions, including $20 million each for 2016.

“This bill is especially meaningful given that the High Holidays are approaching and heightened security is key to worshippers’ safety,” declared Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center.

The OU Advocacy Center looks forward to being a partner in the coalition that will support this important legislation and continuing the successful climb to further legislation that ensures the safety and security of our generation and the generations to come.

The Orthodox Union is the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization; the OU Advocacy Center is the non-partisan public policy arm of the OU and leads its advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and state capitals.

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