Young Israel synagogues awarded homeland security grants

The upcoming High Holidays will have guest cantors, inspirational drashas, and extra security, courtesy of Department of Homeland Security, which awarded $800,000 to 11 Young Israel synagogues around the country.

“We are extremely pleased that a number of Young Israel synagogues across the nation will be in a position to enhance their security practices through these much-needed federal funds,” said Young Israel Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner.

Grants awarded under this program can be used for equipment for specific “target-hardening” activities, such as physical security enhancements, inspection and screening systems and security training. Among the local recipients is Young Israel of Woodmere, which received he maximum grant amount of $75,000. “Over the last couple of years, an immense amount of work was done to accomplish this goal. Our members will benefit greatly from the enhancement of our security and the grant will help defray the costs significantly,” said synagogue president Shlomo Zuller.

Other local shuls covered by the grants include Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Young Israel of Jamaica Estates and Young Israel of Wavecrest & Bayswater.

Ahead of the High Holidays, the National Council of Young Israel will present two informative webinars focusing on synagogue security. Free synagogue security training workshops will be offered to Young Israel shuls in the tri-state area. “Being proactive in our ongoing efforts to keep our synagogues and congregants safe is absolutely critical,” Rabbi Lerner said.

The first webinar is named “How to Organize and Run an Effective Volunteer Shul Security Team for Shabbat and Yom Tov,” and the second webinar is entitled “Halachic Issues in Using Security Technology on Shabbat and Yom Tov.”

Following the holidays, the nonprofit Community Security Services will be offering free security training workshops for Young Israel synagogues. “Over the past few years we have become acutely aware of the increasing need to address security risks in our synagogues, both from terrorists and other vandals and predators,” said NCYI Director of Synagogue Services Rabbi Mordechai Roizman. “A visible security presence has been found to discourage such attacks and a proper security protocol has proven invaluable in mitigating the damage from an attack, should one occur. A well-trained security team offers a safer environment for all congregants, is cost effective, and allows for a rewarding volunteer opportunity.”

Rabbi Roizman encouraged local synagogues to work together on planning security strategies and training. “By collaborating with Young Israel synagogues and leveraging the resources of our branches, we can help foster best practices, promote improved efficiency and effectiveness, and inspire others to develop security teams,” Rabbi Roizman said.

For the past several years, NCYI has facilitated interactive seminars for its member branches and affiliates about the Non-Profit Homeland Security Grant from its New York City headquarters. Among the Far Rockaway institutions receiving the funding are Congregation Kneseth Israel- The White Shul, Yeshiva Darchei Torah and the Hatzalah of the Rockaways and the Five Towns, each receiving $75,000. Local State Assembly candidate Phil Goldfeder worked to include these institutions in the Homeland Security program. “Our yeshivas, shuls, and first responders are the backbone of our community,” Goldfeder said.

For more information about the upcoming security webinars and training sessions or to learn about next year’s Non-Profit Homeland Security Grant opportunities, contact Rabbi Roizman at mroizman@youngisrael.org.