Fifth Congressional District Claws Back Investments in Counterterrorism and Nonprofit Security For Local Organizations

More than $1.2 million back to NJ-5 — eight temples, one church, one school, one senior care facility, and two local non-profit community organizations

More than $4.1 million back to NJ-5 since 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced that thirteen organizations throughout New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District — houses of worship, schools, and local community organizations — received new Nonprofit Security Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Fiscal Year 2020. The grants provide security for certain tax-exempt organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack from homegrown and lone-wolf white supremacists and ISIS-inspired terrorists.

These grants go toward strengthening the National Preparedness System, which consists of identifying and assessing risk, estimating capability requirements, building and sustaining capabilities, and planning to implement, validating, and reviewing and revising those capabilities.

Gottheimer has worked closely with counties, towns, and nonprofits to help apply for and win competitive federal security grants, clawing back our federal tax dollars to fight homegrown terror. Several of the organizations succeeded in clawing back the maximum amount of grant investment of $100,000 for 2020.

“The freedoms to worship as we choose — and to educate ourselves — are at the bedrock of the American idea and protecting that is absolutely critical,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a member of the House Financial Services Committee’s National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee. “With these federal dollars in place to help our organizations here in the Fifth District, I will always remain hopeful, and because we are surrounded by good people — like everyone from these incredible houses of worship, schools, and local organizations who are joining me today. We know that this investment we’re announcing — $1.2 million in federal dollars clawed back here to the Fifth District — will help all these organizations protect their congregations, their students, and the community members they serve.”

“Congressman Gottheimer is a distinguished partner and one of the strongest advocates in our State’s delegation committed to bringing these federal funds back to New Jersey,” said Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP). “These grants are significant to organizations seeking to enhance security measures at their facilities. Residents across New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District can have the peace of mind knowing they are protected as they pray, study, and support their communities.”

Gottheimer was joined today by New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Jared Maples, Julie Lee of the Christian Healthcare Center, Doug Struck of the Christian Healthcare Center, Gila Stone of Sephardic Congregation Shaarai Orah of Teaneck, Bruce Tomlinson of Project Self Sufficiency, Rabbi Efrayim Clair of Yeshiva of North Jersey, Iris Greenberg of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom, Barry Greenbaum of Bais Medrash of Bergenfield, Rabbi Drizin of Valley Chabad, John Collins of Valley Chabad, Sandy Haft of Temple Beth Shalom, Peter Angelica and Mary Hayes of The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Saint Elizabeth’s Church, Abbey Finkel of Congregation Beth Shalom, Joe Licata of the Boys & Girls Club of Lodi and Hackensack, and Melissa McKinney of the Boys & Girls Club of Lodi and Hackensack.

Watch today’s announcement HERE.

The organizations receiving the Nonprofit Security Grants for Fiscal Year 2020 are:

• Northern Teaneck Synagogue Association dba Congregation Keter Torah – Teaneck, Bergen County, $100,000
• Bais Medrash of Bergenfield – Bergenfield, Bergen County, $100,000
• Christian Health Care Center – Wyckoff, Bergen County, $99,650.00
• Yeshiva of North Jersey – River Edge, Bergen County, $100,000
• Valley Chabad Inc. – Woodcliff Lake, Bergen County, $100,000
• Congregation Shaare Tefillah of Teaneck, Inc. – Teaneck, Bergen County, $100,000
• The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Saint Elizabeth’s Church – Ridgewood, Bergen County, $100,000
• Temple Beth Sholom – Fair Lawn, Bergen County, $89,000
• Beth Sholom Congregation DBA Congregation Beth Sholom – Teaneck, Bergen County, $75,000
• Sephardic Congregation Shaarai Orah of Teaneck Inc. – Teaneck, Bergen County, $100,000
• Beth Haverim Shir Shalom – Mahwah, Bergen County, $100,000
• Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County 1 – Newton, Sussex County, $37,606
• Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County 2 – Newton, Sussex County, $12,897
• Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County 3 – Newton, Sussex County, $44,237
• Boys & Girls Club of Lodi, Inc. – Lodi, Bergen County, $75,000

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