Gottheimer, Local Officials Join Safety & Security Summit to Address Anti-Semitism and Actions to Protect North Jersey Jewish Community

Above: Gottheimer takes part in the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey’s community safety and security summit.

HACKENSACK – Today, Sunday, January 12, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey’s community safety and security summit. Gottheimer spoke with Fifth District residents on clawing back federal investment through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, to keep houses of worship and schools protected, and on combating hate in the community. 

“The attacks throughout New Jersey and the region in recent months and days are reminders that anti-Semitism is not only on rise around the world, but also right in our own backyard,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “As we focus on the safety and protection of our communities, we must also come together — local officials, first responders, leaders of all faiths, and all different communities — to stand united and knock down the wave of anger that is engulfing far too many of our communities, both here in New Jersey and around the country.”

Gottheimer continued, “I remain as hopeful as ever that we can stop this hate together. I also remain committed to keeping our community safe. That’s why I work so closely with great partners like the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and our many faith leaders to push for more resources from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps invest in security enhancements for synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish Community Centers, and houses of worship. This important work must continue, and I’m committed to carrying on the fight.”

Gottheimer was joined today by Senator Robert Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., Congressman Albio Sires, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Assistant Prosecutor Vered Adoni, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey CEO Jason Shames, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey President Roberta Abrams, Jewish Community Relations Committee Chair Dan Schlufman, and Jewish Community Security Director Jerry Dargan.

The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) most recent annual report on anti-Semitic incidents stated that physical assaults on Jewish individuals had increased 105 percent over the previous year. The ADL has also ranked New Jersey third highest in the country for anti-Semitic acts.

Gottheimer recently joined Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9), local elected officials, the NAACP of Bergen County, first responders, and faith leaders from across North Jersey to stand united against anti-Semitism and hate in our communities.

Gottheimer works closely with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and Fifth District faith leaders to claw back more resources from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps protect synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish Community Centers, and houses of worship from increasing threats of terror and acts of hate. The Fifth District has clawed back more than $2.9 million from Washington through the Program since 2016.

In Congress, 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.

Below: Gottheimer, local officials take part in the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey’s community safety and security summit.