Five Towns schools receive security grant money

Kathleen Rice, a Democrat who represents the 4th Congressional District that includes the Five Towns, announced a $1.2 million security grant for eight Jewish nonprofits on Aug. 27.

The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, Rambam Mesivta High School, the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Yeshiva Gedola of the Five Towns, The Hebrew Academy for Special Children in Woodmere, and The Brandeis School, will each receive $150,000 from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2018 Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

“As the threat of terrorism continues to evolve, we need to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect potential targets in our community,” Rice said in the news release. “I am pleased that we secured this funding to help enhance security measures and emergency response capabilities at several Jewish nonprofits in our district, and I’ll continue working to ensure that all of our communities have the resources and support they need to keep people safe.”

Because of the current environment, the money apparently is needed. In early 2017, there was a wave of threats made to more than 2,000 Jewish community centers across the world. Juan M. Thompson, an American journalist was arrested and charged with responsibility for at least eight of the incidents, and Michael Ron David Kadar a duel American-Israeli citizen who was charged with making “dozens” of threats. Both were arrested in March of 2017, Thompson pleaded guilty to sending the threats in June of that year, and Kadar was convicted on hundreds of counts in an Israeli court, in June of 2018.

On Nov. 8, 2017, HAFTR officials said they received a note that stated a bomb had been planted on the Cedarhurst campus. The high school building was evacuated. No device was found.

“These funds will help secure the three campuses of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and ensure the safety of our students and parents for many years to come,” HALB Executive Director Richard Hagler stated in the release.

“The Rambam Mesivta joins other institutions in expressing our deep appreciation for this grant, which will be used to provide our students with an additional level of security,” Rabbi Zev Friedman, the Lawrence school’s dean, said in the release. “I’d also like to express a special thanks to our local representative, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, as well as to the Orthodox Union and Teach NYS for their tireless efforts to ensure the safety and security of all students in New York State.”