Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) led a Synagogue Security Summit with experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. The experts discussed strategies and grants available to combat the disturbing uptick in bias, intolerance, and hate crimes against religious minorities. They also identified al Qaeda and ISIS-inspired, homegrown Lone-Wolf terror as the number one issue they are concerned about.

In 2017, anti-Semitic incidents surged nearly 60%, the largest increase ever. New Jersey experienced the third-highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in the nation. New Jersey also saw a 15% rise in hate crimes against Muslims. In the last year, the Fifth District has experienced anti-Semitic, white supremacist graffiti amid escalating national tensions. The FBI and Homeland Security has den a particular rise in incidents with K-12 students.

In September 2017, Gottheimer was proud to announce nearly $4 million from the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help protect our families and our communities from sickening hate-driven crimes.

“I’m deeply proud that my office could bring attention to programs like the nonprofit security grant to make our schools, houses of worship, communities more secure against hate crimes, bias and the every-growing threat of homegrown, ISIS-inspired Lone-wolf terrorism,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Last year, we saw a massive uptick in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents, with K-12 as the biggest center for bias incidents and hate. I’m grateful for the FBI and Department of Homeland Security for their work in fighting hate and terror.”

“Unfortunately, we’re at a time where you have to be prepared all the time. There is no place for hate in New Jersey,” said New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Jared Maples.

Below: Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) leads a Synagogue Security Summit with (left to right) Jared Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, FBI Intelligence Analyst Carly Rasiewicz, and FBI Special Agent Anthony Zampogna