Major Jewish groups urge synagogues to seek federal security grants despite Trump’s terms
The applications says grantees will have to support federal immigration enforcement, alarming some potential recipients
Security guards stand watch in front of a synagogue on Oct. 9, 2023 in Los Angeles. Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images
(JTA) — Six major Jewish organizations that have pushed to expand federal funding for synagogue security are urging Jewish institutions to apply again for the grants despite any concerns about the Trump administration and its terms for grantees.
In an unusual joint statement, the groups say they are confident that receiving funds from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will not require compromising religious values.
The statement does not name any particular concerns but comes shortly after some synagogues and Jewish groups said they would not apply this year because of terms requiring grantees to support federal immigration enforcement at a time when the Trump administration is mounting a major campaign against immigrants.
“While we are aware that questions have arisen on the part of certain religious institutions regarding the current year’s program criteria, our organizations strongly urge all eligible institutions to apply for this critical resource,” the major organizations said in their statement. “We are in regular contact with government officials who have affirmed their continued commitment to protecting the safety of all faith-based institutions and the values they hold.”
The statement was issued Tuesday by Jewish Federations of North America, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Anti-Defamation League and three groups that focus solely on Jewish security issues: the Secure Community Network, Community Security Initiative NY, and Community Security Service.
JFNA in particular was a leading force in building the grant program, which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Department of Homeland Security. Created in 2004 and expanded after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in 2018, it is the main federal source of money for houses of worship and nonprofits to bolster protection against terrorism and hate-motivated violence. Rising concerns about antisemitic attacks have sharply increased demand for the grants, for which Jewish groups have also encouraged other houses of worship to apply. This year, $274 million is on the table.
Another Jewish group, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, last week wrote to the Trump administration asking for clarity about what is required of faith institutions receiving security funds. But the group also urged synagogues and Jewish institutions should still apply for the grants, noting that applying does not commit an organization to accepting any funding.
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