American synagogues to receive "security money"

The US Congress has given the green light for the spending of US$ 25 million on the protection of synagogues and other high-risk nonprofit institutions from terrorism. Both houses of Congress passed the money as part of the "Homeland Security Appropriations Act", which awaits President Bush’s signature. Jewish groups, including the United Jewish Communities and the Orthodox Union, led an effort to gain a separate security fund for non-profit groups. Several other Jewish groups were concerned that security aid for synagogues and churches would cross the line separating church and state. Charles Konigsberg, UJC’s vice president for public policy, said much can be accomplished with the money. “This money will enable a lot of non-profit institutions to put up concrete barriers and bullet-proof doors to really enhance their security,” he told the news agency JTA.