On Wednesday, July 29, Governor Ned Lamont was joined by legislators and faith leaders, including Michael Bloom, executive director of the Jewish Federations Association of Connecticut, to announce the release of $3.8 million in security grants for houses of sorship. 

The press conference was held at B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom (BTS) in Bloomfield. The congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Deborah Cantor, spoke about the security grant which BTS received from the state. “So even as we seek to keep our doors open in a symbolic sense, we are so grateful for state grants which will enable us to be physically more secure,” Cantor said. 

According to Bloom, advocating for the security grants was JFACT’s highest priority for the 2020 legislative session. 

“We are grateful for Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly for stating loud and clear that the state has a role to play in public safety,” said Bloom. “While not every non-profit that applied for the grant received an award, fortunately more help is on the way. JFACT was able to secure an additional $15 million for this non-profit security grant program.”

Main Photo: JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom speaks at the press conference announcing the release of funds in security grants for houses of worship. Among those in attendance were Rabbi Deborah Cantor (left), spiritual leader of B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, where the conference was held. (Courtesy JFACT)