BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn, Young Israel of Teaneck, Young Israel of Fort Lee and Frisch received a combined $1.14 million in federal security funding, Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced Thursday as the Jewish community prepared for Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays.
Bris Avrohom and Frisch each received $380,000, while Young Israel of Teaneck and Young Israel of Fort Lee each received $190,000.
Gottheimer announced the funding Thursday during a visit to Bris Avrohom in Fair Lawn, where he met with Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman and Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky ahead of the High Holidays.
He also hosted a security briefing with New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness officials and Jewish leaders from across North Jersey.
The briefing focused on the threats facing the Jewish community ahead of the Yamim Tovim, coordination between law enforcement and Jewish institutions and the need to get federal security funding to organizations that need it.
The grants are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The money can be used for security improvements including cameras, gates, bollards and blast-resistant film, as well as security training.
The four Jewish organizations were among eight North Jersey nonprofits awarded more than $1.7 million through the program. The other recipients were Grace Redeemer Church in Glen Rock, Hindu Samaj Temple of Mahwah and The Church Gathered and Scattered in Teaneck.
Gottheimer had been pushing for the funding to be distributed after the federal government delayed the release of grants that had been approved in 2024.
The announcement came as shuls, yeshivos and Jewish institutions across Bergen County prepared for Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays.
According to Gottheimer’s office, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2025, an average of 17 incidents a day. New Jersey recorded the third-highest number of antisemitic incidents in the country, while Bergen County recorded the highest number in New Jersey, according to the release.
“No one should ever have to worry about their safety while praying, learning, or gathering with their community,” Gottheimer said. “With hate crimes and antisemitic incidents spiking at historical levels, this funding is crucial.”
Gottheimer said he would continue pushing for additional Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding and faster distribution of grants to organizations considered at risk.
