Days after a gunman killed 11 people during Shabbat services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office announced on Monday that the city will administer almost $1 million in federal grant money to beef up security at religious organizations in D.C.
The grants will go to nine different nonprofit organizations “operating at faith-affiliated institutions,” according to a press release from the mayor’s office and the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Most of the organizations are Jewish.
The money has no direct correlation to the attack in Pittsburgh over the weekend—the winning nonprofits applied for the grants early in the summer, and award letters for the grants were signed last week. But all of the winners had to meet grant criteria showing they are a non-profit with high risk for a terrorist attack. The money they win can be used for “target hardening, planning, training,” and security equipment like cameras, locks, gates, and new doors, according to the release.
The maximum award amount is $150,000—several larger awards went to well-known religious institutions in the District. Adas Israel Congregation in Cleveland Park will get $150,000; Edlavitch Jewish Community Center will get $150,000; Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School will get $150,000; The National Presbyterian Church will get $150,000; Kesher Israel in Georgetown will get $140,000; Sixth & I Synagogue will get $81,500; New Bethel Baptist Church will get $75,000; the Washington National Cathedral will get $50,000; and the Jewish Policy Center will get $30,000.
