NEW YORK CITY; December 19, 2019 — The leadership of the Orthodox Union (OU) commends New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on today’s release of more than $10 million in security grants for nonpublic schools, camps community centers.
This round follows the distribution of $14.8 million in May 2018. In total, New York State has appropriated $60 million for this grant. A request for proposal to access funding from the next round will likely go out in 2020.
“Since the ‘Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes’ grant was established in the 2017 budget, Governor Cuomo has set an example that other states across the U.S. have followed,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “At $60 million appropriated, in total, to secure nonpublic communal institutions, New York State’s commitment is the highest in the nation. We’re working tirelessly with our partners to ensure that children of all faiths are safe in the communal spaces where they learn and play, and the governor is an ally in every sense of the word.
“Governor Cuomo’s direct actions reflect a sincere concern that threats to our institutions have increased. As the Orthodox Jewish community’s largest umbrella organization, we are fortunate to have him in our corner.”
Teach NYS, a project of the Orthodox Union that advocates for funding for nonpublic schools and institutions in New York State, was instrumental in the creation of the first “Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant” in the 2017 budget.
The current program will provide $50,000 per recipient for as many as three campuses per school and $50,000 apiece for cultural institutions, day care centers and other nonprofits at risk of bias crimes or attacks due to their ideology, beliefs or mission.
“We applaud the governor for his continued leadership in protecting our community. His words and, more importantly, his actions demonstrate that he cares deeply about the well-being of Jewish communities both in New York and around the world,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.
Both on the state and federal levels, the Orthodox Union has long focused on creating legislation to increase safety for schools and other nonprofits at risk of terror attacks. Teach NYS and its affiliated state-based programs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland and California stand ready to work with their communities to assist them in securing and advocating for similar funding programs.
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union, (OU), serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs. For more information, visit https://www.ou.org.
Contact: Josh Berkman
(212) 613-8296
berkmanj@teachcoalition.org