HARRISBURG, March 10 – Congregation Sons of Israel, located on West Tilghman Street in Allentown, today was awarded a $25,000 state grant, according to Rep. Mike Schlossberg.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which was created by a 2019 law that Schlossberg supported. Eligible organizations principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents. Grants are available between $5,000 and $150,000 and used for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users.

“It’s disheartening that we even need a grant program like this one to keep people safe, but it’s a fact of life,” Schlossberg said. “However, it’s encouraging that the Sons of Israel will receive this funding so the organization can better meet its safety needs.”

In early 2020, Schlossberg wrote a letter to PCCD supporting the grant.

“The synagogue and the city of Allentown have always maintained a very close, cooperative relationship, with leaders at Congregation Sons of Israel and officials paying attention to the safety concerns at the facility. Even with this careful monitoring for security risks, concerns exist for institutions which serve religious communities throughout the commonwealth. At a time when acts of violence are increasingly perpetrated against religious institutions/congregants throughout Pennsylvania, the work and collaboration between the city of Allentown and Congregation Sons of Israel represents a highly effective foundation on which to strengthen the security of the synagogue facility and to enhance the safety of its congregants,” he wrote.

The grant is one of 130 totaling $5 million that were awarded across Pennsylvania.

 

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Tom Andrews
House Democratic Communications Office

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