The Brandeis-Bardin Institute near Simi Valley and Adat Ari El in Valley Village (both in the US state of California) have been awarded grants from the Jewish Community Foundation to help pay for construction projects, foundation officials announced on Monday. A US $45,000 grant to the Brandeis-Bardin Institute will support a $1 million arts center project, on which work will commence in autumn. The center will include an amphitheater, art studios, a library and an atrium.
A $34,000 grant to Adat Ari El will go toward a security project at the synagogue. The improvements will include fences, walls, video surveillance and a guard booth to help protect children in the synagogue's day-care program and elementary school. The enhanced security will reduce fears about terrorism and anti-Semitic violence, a institute official said. The need became apparent five years ago when a white supremacist opened fire at a Jewish community center in California in which four children and an adult were wounded.
