Gottheimer Addresses Anti-Semitism and Actions to Protect North Jersey Community, Houses of Worship, Schools, and First Responders from Acts of Hate, Terror

Above: Gottheimer addresses Fifth District residents during a panel on community safety in Teaneck, highlighting federal investment to keep houses of worship, schools, and community spaces safe.

On Thursday, January 2, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a panel on community safety, hosted by Teaneck Deputy Mayor Elie Katz, Deputy Mayor Mark Schwartz, Councilmember Keith Kaplan, and Bergenfield Council President Ora Kornbluth. Gottheimer highlighted how the Fifth District is clawing back federal investment through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, the COPS Grant, the AFG Program, and the SAFER Grant Program to keep houses of worship, schools, and community spaces protected, and to keep our first responders safe.

“The attacks throughout this region in recent weeks and days are reminders that anti-Semitism is not only on rise around the world, but also right in our own backyard,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “The safety and security of our places of worship and our schools are bedrock American values. That’s why I’ve been working closely with key partners like the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and our faith leaders to claw back more of federal tax dollars to protect our communities, including through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps fund security enhancements like barrier and screening tools, safety improvements, and preparedness training at synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish Community Centers, and houses of worship.”

In Washington, Gottheimer, a member of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Anti-Semitism, has voted several times this Congress to reaffirm United States’ commitment to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry.  Gottheimer has also co-sponsored the Never Again Education Act, bipartisan legislation to help fund programs to teach children about the Holocaust in our schools and The Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act, which would authorize investment in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $75 million annually. Gottheimer is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act, or NO HATE Act, to strengthen federal laws that combat hate speech, threats, and attacks and improve national hate crime reporting.

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