Agudah’s New England office held a community meeting with State Senator Eric Lesser last week to discuss the security needs of its institutions, and express thanks to him for his leadership on the Commonwealth Security Grant Program.
At the meeting, Senator Lesser expressed his support for the Jewish community and pledged to ensure that their security needs are met. Senator Lesser also spoke about the need to expand the Security Grant Program to allow the grant to be used for security personnel and to increase funding for the program so that all eligible applicants can receive the grant.
The meeting was also an opportunity for recipients of the grants to personally thank Senator Lesser for championing this program. Students who attend schools that are grant recipients thanked Senator Lesser, explaining how the security enhancements makes them feel safer. A mother of four shared how the improved security measures made her feel safer sending her children to school. Rabbi Shlomo Noginsky, who was the victim of a brutal antisemitic attack last year, also spoke, and shared his perspective on the real-life threat Jews face every day.
“As a community we really appreciate the work Senator Lesser has done in championing the Commonwealth Security Grant Program,” said Mrs. Ariella Hellman, director of Government Affairs for the Agudah of New England. “It was really powerful to hear the impact that this grant program has made on the lives of so many members of the community. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Lesser to increase the funding for this program and to advocate for additional support for security personnel.”
