WASHINGTON � With today�s vote in the U.S. Senate, on the heels of one last week in the House of Representatives, the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill has been passed by Congress.� The bill includes an appropriation of $19 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

The program provides assistance to nonprofit institutions at high risk of terrorist attack for the enhancement of their physical security � through measures like video surveillance equipment, alarmed and reinforced doors and windows, security barriers, metal detectors, locks, gates, fences and personnel security training.

A number of national and local Jewish groups � acting as a coalition under the leadership of the United Jewish Communities � worked together to advocate for the funding.� Jewish institutions � including community centers, schools, places of worship, charitable organizations, and social service agencies � have in the past comprised a sizable percentage of such funds� recipients.

�Threats � and actual incidents � aimed at Jewish targets in the United States and around the world,� said Agudath Israel of America Washington office director and counsel Rabbi Abba Cohen, �point to the particular vulnerability of our community and the need for these funds to bolster security.�� A member of the coalition, Rabbi Cohen was active in promoting the creation of the program, and in subsequent appropriations and proposed enhancements.

The Agudath Israel representative noted that this year�s appropriation was a particularly important accomplishment, as opponents of the program have been successful in steadily reducing funding over the past few years.� While the approved allocation is still less than the original funding, it increases last year�s allocation by $4 million.

�Unfortunately, we have seen setbacks in the program�s funding,� Rabbi Cohen noted. �But we are hopeful that today�s vote signals a turnabout in the fortunes of the security funds appropriation, a return to a keener recognition of the importance of helping institutions protect themselves from the tragically ever-present threat of terrorism.�

The Agudah representative cited two factors that, he maintains, contributed to this year�s success: the number of domestic and foreign threats and incidents of terror directed at high-risk targets this past year; and the priority afforded the program by President Obama.� �This was,� explains Rabbi Cohen, �the first time the security funds appropriation was included in a President�s budget request.

�That says much, and it said much to Congress too.�

(YWN Desk – NYC)