Lawmakers Convene Hearing on Protecting Houses of Worship

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Lawmakers Convene Hearing on Protecting Houses of Worship

Texas Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker testifies on need for security grants.

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Emergency Preparedness and Communication met to discuss the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and protecting houses of worship, this following the wake of the antisemitic terrorist attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, last month.

The hearing was led by Chairwoman Val Demings (D) of Florida. Members of Congress, along with a diverse group of Jewish leaders, shared testimonies and thoughts about what the federal government should be doing to respond to the rise in antisemitic terrorism and violence during the virtual panel discussion.

The witnesses included Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel; Rabbi Yosef Konikov, of Orlando, Florida, where recent neo-Nazi rallies were held; Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America; and Michael Masters, CEO of the Secure Community Network.

From Michigan’s 8th District, Chairwoman Elissa Slotkin (D) said that as a Jewish woman, the issue felt deeply personal to her.

“Rabbi Charlie is a native Michigander. He’s from the Lansing area, which I represent. His mom

still lives there. Actually, he went to summer camp with my brother,” Slotkin said. Ahead of their testimonies, panelists shared their support of the Jewish community. Slotkin cited statistics stating that in the last five years, there has been a 60% increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide. “2020 marking the third highest amount of [antisemitic incidents] since the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) began tracking these incidents in the 1970s,” she said. In Michigan, Slotkin says she has seen a 21% increase of antisemitic incidents — everything from graffitied swastikas on buildings to “Zoom bombings.” The witnesses shared what they have seen throughout their Jewish communities and explained why having the necessary funds to protect Jewish lives, and Elissa Slotkin those of all faiths, is crucial. “All of us need to feel safe in our sacred space and our communities — and too many people, of every background, don’t always feel safe. And that’s heartbreaking,” Cytron-Walker said. “And that’s our reality. Even though the chances are so remote that Rabbi violence will be visited upon any one Charlie congregation — our recent past has CytronWalker shown that tragedy and trauma can happen. That’s our harsh reality and it’s