SPRINGFIELD − March 12, 2020 – Sen. Tim Kearney (D – Delaware, Chester) today announced that two Delaware County synagogues have been awarded state grants to improve safety and security measures to prevent hate crimes. Temple Sholom in Broomall will receive $50,000 and Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid in Broomall will receive $29,407.
“As the number of hate crimes and anti-Semitic acts rise, we must stand united against this violence,” said Sen. Tim Kearney. “An attack on anyone’s free exercise of their religious beliefs is an attack on us all. These grants will help ensure that nobody has to fear going to their place of worship and that Delaware County remains a welcoming place for people of all faiths and backgrounds.”
“Temple Sholom is so grateful to be awarded a PCCD Non-Profit Security Grant,” said Margaret Husick of Temple Sholom. “We look forward to maintaining improved security for members of our congregation and community.”
“These are difficult times for faith-based organizations and houses of worship, as we are the potential targets of hate crimes and hostile behavior,” said Amy Blake, president of Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid. “As a synagogue serving a Jewish community of adults and children in and around Delaware County, we intend to use the funds to enhance the security of our building and ensure the safety of all those who use it.”
The grants are part of the first distribution of funds from the Non-Profit Security Grant Program. Act 83 of 2019 established the program at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), directing PCCD to administer grants to Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime Statistics population. The categories include race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity.
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