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News Highlights Hebrew College Awarded $235K in Security Grants

By Wendy Linden
building exterior

Unfortunately, Jewish organizations today have to worry about safety and security more than ever. Hebrew College is no exception. Over the past six months, the College has worked closely with shared campus partner Temple Reyim to secure $235,000 in local, state and federal grants for campus security, from the Massachusetts Healey-Driscoll Administration and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).

“It is a sad and sobering reality that rising antisemitism is impacting Jewish communities across the United States and around the globe. We are profoundly grateful that we live in a place where our state and federal governments are committing to ensuring the protection of all members of our community — with support that is both symbolically significant and substantively vital to our safety, security, and sense of well-being,” said Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld.

The Healey-Driscoll administration has demonstrated ongoing commitment to protecting the security and rights of all communities in Massachusetts. In August 2024, they awarded Hebrew College $75,000 out of the $4.75 million in federal funds given to 85 Massachusetts organizations to “Protect Nonprofits from Hate Crimes and Terror Attacks.” In October 2024, the Administration announced a second wave of more than $7.8 million in federal grants to 67 nonprofits deemed at heightened risk of an extremist attack; Hebrew College was awarded $150,000.

“Hebrew College worked closely with our shared campus partner Temple Reyim and strategic community organizations to carefully consider safety concerns and submit state and federal grants to bolster our internal and external security,” explains Sara Brown, Hebrew College Senior Director of Operations and Budget. “We are very pleased that our grant proposals were successful, and that we will be receiving significant state and federal funds to help enhance our campus’ internal and external security. We are so thankful for the financial support of CJP who provided additional dollars for security and cybersecurity projects during the summer of 2024.”

Gann Library

This fall and winter, with the support of these new grants, Hebrew College and Temple Reyim will implement a number of security enhancements throughout the building to improve lighting, reinforce access, and bolster safety in both public and private areas. “We deeply appreciate our state and federal agencies who recognize the need for heightened security at this time,” says Brown.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is funded annually by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR). According to the mass.gov Office of Grants and Research, the grants provide “funding to implement critical security enhancements at nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.” Massachusetts grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process and approved by FEMA. They will receive a combined total of $7,845,293 in federal grant funds.

“These nonprofits provide services, solace, support and community for people across Massachusetts. These grants represent our commitment to protecting these critical organizations and ensuring they can provide safe and welcoming spaces for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll in the Administration’s October 24, 2024 press release.

“As campus co-owners and collaborators, Hebrew College and Temple Reyim work together on a daily basis to foster cooperation, build community ties, create community with our campus partners, and ensure our shared home is safe and secure,” said Brown. “We are so pleased that these grants will allow us to implement additional security measures to keep our vibrant, shared learning community as safe as possible.”


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