Dear Agudah Activist:
The Senate has now passed its supplemental national security package, which Includes $14 billion for aid to Israel to help them in the war against Hamas and $400 million for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program to help secure nonprofits at risk of violence.
We now have to work hard to ensure that the House includes this funding in its supplemental bill and urge the House to choose the appropriate legislative approach to ensure swift passage.
Aid to Israel — As the war enters its fifth month, emergency security assistance to Israel is desperately needed. The aid – which includes critical defense systems — will help defeat the existential threat posed by Hamas, whose stated goal is to kill Jews and reject peaceful coexistence with Israel. And we have seen their heinous acts of barbarity that, they vow, will continue if they are not stopped and rooted out. It is necessary, with Hashem’s help, to defeat these sworn enemies of both Israel and the United States, and of the values that they share.
Federal Security Grants – The $400 million increase in the NSGP will help us protect our nonprofit institutions, which include our at-risk shuls, yeshivos, day schools and other charitable mosdos. For those of us in the Jewish community, this is particularly critical during a time when we have witnessed a skyrocketing of antisemitic incidents since October 7 – indeed, an increase of almost 400% over the same period last year. An increase in this funding will help save innocent lives.
We urge you to contact your representatives — today — and call on them to support and pass this vital funding in the House supplemental.
Thank you for your help!
Rabbi Abba Cohen
Vice President for Government Affairs
Washington Director and counsel
Rabbi Yossie Charner
Director of Congressional Relations