16 Queens synagogues and Jewish schools receive federal security funding

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng meets with members of the organization Ohr Natan in 2019. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz

By David Brand 

Sixteen synagogues and Jewish educational institutes in Queens will receive federal funding to beef up security amid a spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes, said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng Thursday. Two Christian churches will also receive funding, Meng said.

Each Jewish site will receive $100,000, the maximum grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program for a total of $1.6 million.

“Following the increase in hate crimes and anti-Semitic incidents, it is vital that Jewish facilities have the resources they need to protect themselves, and these critical funds will be a huge help in guarding against attacks here in Queens,” Meng said. “We cannot let our guard down for a moment.”

The locations include the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Young Israel of Hillcrest, Rabbinical Seminary of America in Kew Gardens Hills, Young Israel of Queens Valley in Kew Gardens Hills, Torah Center of Hillcrest, Forest Hills Jewish Center, Jewish Center of Forest Hills West in Middle Village, Shaarey Bnos Chayil Institute in Kew Gardens Hills, Congregation Ohr Menachem in Forest Hills, Utopia Jewish Center in Fresh Meadows, Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, Touro College in Forest Hills, United Talmudical Seminary in Glendale, Jewish Institute of Queens in Elmhurst, Bais Yaakov Academy for Girls in Kew Gardens and Yeshiva of Central Queens in Kew Gardens Hills.

In addition, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Bayside will receive $57,000 and the Church on the Hill in Flushing will get $61,004 through the DHS grant program.