By Anna Gustafson
Queens Jewish leaders said Tuesday they were relieved to be getting more than $300,000 in Homeland Security grants, especially in the wake of the arrests of four men accused of plotting to bomb two Jewish institutions in the Bronx last month.
U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills), state Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) and City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) announced Tuesday afternoon at the Israel Center of Conservative Judaism in Fresh Meadows that $307,050 in federal funds would be funneled to five Jewish organizations in Queens to help them provide better security, such as blast-proof doors, improved lock systems and surveillance equipment.
“We only have to look at Riverdale to know we need to be prepared,” said Irene Meyerowitz, the grant chairwoman for the Israel Center of Conservative Judaism. “We have people in our building all day long, so it’s a good feeling that we have the necessary resources to protect them.”
The borough institutions receiving the grant money, which totals no more than $75,000 per group, include the Israel Center of Conservative Judaism, Hillcrest Jewish Center, Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid in Far Rockaway, Jewish Institute of Queens in Rego Park and the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park.
Michael Brofman, president of the Hillcrest Jewish Center, said this is the second Homeland Security grant for his organization. Brofman said they plan to use the funds to secure their doors and make them blast-resistant. Hillcrest Jewish used money from the first grant to install security cameras.
“We’re in a very safe neighborhood, but because we’re on Union Turnpike we’re in a high-profile area, so we want to have security measures,” Brofman said.
Citywide, 61 religious institutions and nonprofits will receive $4.1 million from the Homeland Security Department — about three times more than the amount given to any other locality nationwide. Hospitals, synagogues, universities and museums will receive grant money, but the federal government does not release a list of all the recipients for security reasons.
The average award for grant winners is about $70,000, and the funds will be delivered within the next two months.
“As the planned attacks in the Bronx highlight, nonprofit and religious institutions are at risk and need protection,” Weiner said. “Worshipers, museum-goers and hospital visitors expect and deserve a safe environment and these grants will go a long way towards ensuring their safety.”
Lancman recently sponsored a bill passed in the Assembly Monday that would require the state Office of Homeland Security to assess the security and financial needs of nonprofits.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
