Security money for Five Towns institutions

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Six of the 17 South Shore Jewish organizations, synagogues and schools across New York’s 4th Congressional District that will receive $100,000 in federal security money from a total of $1.7 million are in the Five Towns. 

Agudath Israel of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst, Congregation Bais Tefilah of Woodmere, Congregation Bnai Torah of Lawrence, Irving Place Minyan in Woodmere, Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach and Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst are expected to get money, according to Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat from Garden City, who represents the Five Towns. The money will pay for security improvements at nonprofit organizations that are considered at a higher risk of a terrorist attack. 

“In the last year alone, religious organizations across the United States have seen an alarming increase in violence and domestic terrorism,” Rice said in a news release. “From the synagogue shootings in Poway and Pittsburgh to a series of church burnings in Louisiana, to the mosque shooting in New Zealand, our houses of worship are clearly vulnerable. So, it’s important that we remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect potential targets in our community.”

Rice helped obtain nearly $1.2 million for eight nonprofit Jewish organizations a year ago it was $450,000 for local six organizations, and in 2016, a total of $575,000 for eight organizations.

“I am pleased that we secured this funding to help enhance security measures and emergency response capabilities at several Jewish nonprofits in our district,” she added.

Among the synagogues receiving the money are, Lynbrook's Temple Am Echad and Congregation Ohr Torah in North Woodmere.

—Rachel Gottesman