Dear Synagogue Clergy and Leaders:
Applications for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) are due Friday, October 31. We strongly encourage congregations to consider applying for the NSGP so you remain eligible for this critical funding and review the terms and conditions carefully should a grant be awarded.
Register for the October 9 Info Session
Since 2004, the National Security Grant Program (NSGP) has been a lifeline for synagogues, schools, community centers, and community institutions to strengthen security in response to rising antisemitism. The bipartisan support for funding of NSGP has helped provide Jews across the country, as we gather and practice our faith, with critical protections to keep sacred spaces safe.
Many of our congregations have raised concerns – which we deeply share - about new clauses in the current grant documents that appear to place limitations on our synagogue communities to act in accordance with their religious conscience, particularly on immigration or DEIA-related activities conducted within the law. On behalf of our communities, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Secure Community Network (SCN) (both of whom we are coordinating with) have raised these concerns directly with officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
We are disappointed and concerned that DHS is unlikely to remove these troubling clauses from the NSGP grant documents. At the same time, we want to share that DHS has verbally affirmed to the Jewish Federations of North America its commitment to protect faith-based communities, safeguard religious freedom, and respect our values and traditions. DHS has invited Jewish Federations of North America to continue to raise issues as they occur, and we will work closely with them in doing so.
The Jewish Federations of North America has expressed its readiness to provide all necessary support, including legal, to any synagogue that accepts NSGP funding and later faces challenges to its ability to act according to its religious conscience within the law.
We recognize that some congregations may still have concerns about the NSGP provisions. We also believe it is imperative for Jewish organizations to secure their facilities. Submitting an application by the deadline, Friday, October 31, is the only way to be considered for NSGP funding. As we have since the grant’s new provisions became public several months ago, we recommend that congregations considering applying for NSGP grants consult with their legal counsel, reflect carefully, and assess the implications for your community.
The next NSGP information session will be held by the SCN on Thursday, October 9. We encourage all eligible organizations to sign up and attend with any questions or to reach out to any of us directly.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, RA/USCJ CEO
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ President & CEO
CC: The Honorable Eric D.Fingerhut, Jewish Federations of North America, President & CEO