NJ - Bergen County Jewish institutions receive $500,000 in Homeland Security grants

BERGEN COUNTY — The federal Department of Homeland Security has awarded more than $500,000 to the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey; synagogues in Franklin Lakes, Paramus, Teaneck and Tenafly; and a Jewish High School in Teaneck to strengthen their security, the Jewish Standard reported.

The institutions plan to spend the money on anti-bullet, anti-blast film on ground floor windows, enhanced security camera systems, upgraded alarms, fences, security training and large concrete planters.

Area synagogues were the subject of a series of attacks in 2011 and 2012. They culminated in January 2012, when 21-year-old Anthony Graziano allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the Congregation Beth El temple in Rutherford while the synagogue's rabbi and family slept upstairs.

The Rutherford congregation received a security grant last year, while a Paramus congregation that was attacked received a grant this year.

Local recipients of federal security grants:

Chabad Lubavitch of N.W. Bergen County, Franklin Lakes $75,000

Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck $75,000

Congregation Keter Torah, Teaneck $75,000

Jewish Community Center of Paramus $49,500

Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Paramus $25,000

Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck $70,000

Temple Emeth, Teaneck $64,500

Temple Sinai of Bergen County, Tenafly $75,000