[House Hearing, 117 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                  THE NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM 
                    AND PROTECTING HOUSES OF WORSHIP: A 
                    VIEW FROM THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMU-
                    NITY

=======================================================================

                             JOINT HEARING

                               BEFORE THE

                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON
                        EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
                         RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY

                                AND THE

                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON
                   INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORISM

                                 OF THE

                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                    ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                             SECOND SESSION

                               __________

                            FEBRUARY 8, 2022

                               __________

                           Serial No. 117-43

                               __________

       Printed for the use of the Committee on Homeland Security
                                     

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       Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov/

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE                    
47-469 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2022                     
          
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY

               Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi, Chairman
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas            John Katko, New York
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island      Michael T. McCaul, Texas
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey     Clay Higgins, Louisiana
J. Luis Correa, California           Michael Guest, Mississippi
Elissa Slotkin, Michigan             Dan Bishop, North Carolina
Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri            Jefferson Van Drew, New Jersey
Al Green, Texas                      Ralph Norman, South Carolina
Yvette D. Clarke, New York           Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa
Eric Swalwell, California            Diana Harshbarger, Tennessee
Dina Titus, Nevada                   Andrew S. Clyde, Georgia
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey    Carlos A. Gimenez, Florida
Kathleen M. Rice, New York           Jake LaTurner, Kansas
Val Butler Demings, Florida          Peter Meijer, Michigan
Nanette Diaz Barragan, California    Kat Cammack, Florida
Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey          August Pfluger, Texas
Elaine G. Luria, Virginia            Andrew R. Garbarino, New York
Tom Malinowski, New Jersey
Ritchie Torres, New York
                       Hope Goins, Staff Director
                 Daniel Kroese, Minority Staff Director
                          Natalie Nixon, Clerk
                                
                                ------                                

     SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY

                Val Butler Demings, Florida, Chairwoman
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas            Kat Cammack, Florida, Ranking 
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey         Member
Al Green, Texas                      Clay Higgins, Louisiana
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey    Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi (ex  Andrew R. Garbarino, New York
    officio)                         John Katko, New York (ex officio)
              Lauren McClain, Subcommittee Staff Director
          Diana Bergwin, Minority Subcommittee Staff Director
                    Aaron Greene, Subcommittee Clerk
                                 ------                                

           SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORISM

                  Elissa Slotkin, Michigan, Chairwoman
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas            August Pfluger, Texas, Ranking 
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island          Member
Eric Swalwell, California            Michael Guest, Mississippi
Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey          Jefferson Van Drew, New Jersey
Tom Malinowski, New Jersey           Jake LaTurner, Kansas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi (ex  Peter Meijer, Michigan
    officio)                         John Katko, New York (ex officio)
               Brittany Carr, Subcommittee Staff Director
          Adrienne Spero, Minority Subcommittee Staff Director
                      Joy Zieh, Subcommittee Clerk
                           
                           
                           C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page

                               Statements

The Honorable Val Butler Demings, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Florida, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on 
  Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:
  Oral Statement.................................................     1
  Prepared Statement.............................................     2
The Honorable Kat Cammack, a Representative in Congress From the 
  State of Florida, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Emergency 
  Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:
  Oral Statement.................................................     3
  Prepared Statement.............................................     5
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin, a Representative in Congress From 
  the State of Michigan, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on 
  Intelligence and Counterterrorism:
  Oral Statement.................................................     6
  Prepared Statement.............................................    10
The Honorable August Pfluger, a Representative in Congress From 
  the State of Texas, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on 
  Intelligence and Counterterrorism:
  Oral Statement.................................................    11
  Prepared Statement.............................................    12
The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Mississippi, and Chairman, Committee on 
  Homeland Security:
  Oral Statement.................................................    13
  Prepared Statement.............................................    14
The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Texas:
  Prepared Statement.............................................    15

                               Witnesses

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel:
  Oral Statement.................................................    19
  Prepared Statement.............................................    21
Rabbi Yosef Konikov, Rabbi, Chabad of South Orlando:
  Oral Statement.................................................    24
  Prepared Statement.............................................    27
Hon. Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO, The Jewish Federations of 
  North America and Former Member of Congress:
  Oral Statement.................................................    30
  Prepared Statement.............................................    33
Mr. Michael Masters, National Director and CEO, Secure Community 
  Network:
  Oral Statement.................................................    36
  Prepared Statement.............................................    39

                             For the Record

The Honorable Val Butler Demings, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Florida, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on 
  Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:
  Flyer..........................................................    30
  Statement of Johnathan Greenblatt, CEO & National Director, 
    Anti-Defamation League.......................................    64
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin, a Representative in Congress From 
  the State of Michigan, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on 
  Intelligence and Counterterrorism:
  National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin....................     7

                                Appendix

The Honorable Val Butler Demings, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Florida, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on 
  Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:
  Letter From Yeshiva University.................................    69

 
THE NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM AND PROTECTING HOUSES OF WORSHIP: 
               A VIEW FROM THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY

                              ----------                              


                       Tuesday, February 8, 2022

             U.S. House of Representatives,
                    Committee on Homeland Security,
     Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and 
                                          Recovery, and the
         Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The subcommittees met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., via 
Webex, Hon. Val Butler Demings [Chairwoman of the Subcommittee 
on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery] presiding.
    Present from the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, 
Response, and Recovery: Representatives Demings, Cammack, 
Jackson Lee, Payne, Green, Watson Coleman, Higgins, and Miller-
Meeks.
    Present from the Subcommittee on Intelligence and 
Counterterrorism: Representatives Slotkin, Pfluger, Jackson 
Lee, Langevin, Gottheimer, Malinowski, Guest, and Rice.
    Also present: Representatives Thompson and Katko.
    Chairwoman Demings. The Subcommittees on Emergency 
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and Intelligence and 
Counterterrorism will come to order. Without objection, the 
Chair is authorized to declare the subcommittees in recess at 
any point.
    Good morning again, everyone. I want to thank Chairwoman 
Slotkin and Ranking Member Pfluger for joining Ranking Member 
Cammack and me for this important hearing.
    Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today to discuss 
who the dynamic terrorism threat landscape impacts the American 
Jewish community and the importance of Federal support to make 
their communities more safe.
    As someone who spent nearly 3 decades in law enforcement, I 
was extremely troubled to see neo-Nazis shouting anti-Semitic 
slurs while parading through the streets of Central Florida. I 
am relieved that the individuals who viciously attacked a 
Jewish student have been charged with hate crime assault and 
grand theft. For one of the group's leaders this is the second 
time he has been charged with committing violent acts against 
innocent bystanders this year. These hateful and violent acts 
followed several incidents in which anti-Semitic flyers were 
left outside homes across Central Florida.
    We are joined today by Rabbi Konikov from Chabad of South 
Orlando, who I have been honored to join for many occasions, 
including joyful celebrations with his congregation. I 
appreciate, Rabbi, your leadership during these difficult 
events in our community and stand with you in rejecting anti-
Semitic attacks on our neighbors, our friends, and in our 
communities.
    All of this comes at a time when, as we learned at last 
week's hearing, we are seeing fringe extremist ideologies being 
mainstreamed and violent ideologies from across the spectrum 
embrace anti-Semitism. Let me be clear, anti-Semitism and 
targeted violence against religious institutions have no place 
in the United States of America.
    Today, 20 years after 9/11, the terrorism threat landscape 
is far more complex with nonprofits such as religious 
institutions increasingly targeted by domestic and foreign 
terrorists. Last month, the Nation collectively held its breath 
as congregants at Sabbath service in a Texas synagogue were 
held at gunpoint by a terrorist.
    I commend the heroic actions of Rabbi Cytron-Walker, one of 
our witnesses here today, who grabbed a chair, hurled it at the 
gunman. In other words, Rabbi Charlie took matters into his own 
hands, allowing congregants to escape. During the Colleyville 
attack, Rabbi Charlie credited his quick actions to security 
training, funded, in part, by the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program. Under this program at-risk religious institutions and 
other nonprofits receive support to implement protective 
measures. These grants are critically important for religious 
institutions and they keep communities safe, which is more 
important now than ever.
    As the terrorism landscape has grown more complex and 
houses of worship are increasingly being targeted, the demand 
for this program has risen exponentially. To meet this demand, 
Congress has increased funding for Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program. Even with the recent increases, we still see a growing 
need for organizations to access this funding. With the risk of 
attacks against faith-based communities, we must continue to 
invest in their security.
    Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently 
advocated for increased funding for this critical program. I 
was pleased to support a $100 million increase in the Build 
Back Better Act last year and last week, joined my colleagues 
in calling for additional appropriations for the program for 
next year.
    We have a great panel today. I look forward to hearing from 
our witnesses about the challenges the American Jewish 
community faces and how Congress can do a better job to protect 
them.
    [The statement of Chairwoman Demings follows:]
                  Statement of Chairwoman Val Demings
                            February 8, 2022
    Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today to discuss the how 
the dynamic terrorism threat landscape impacts the American Jewish 
community and the importance of Federal support to make their 
communities more secure.
    As someone who spent nearly 3 decades in law enforcement, I was 
extremely troubled to see Neo-Nazis shouting anti-Semitic slurs while 
parading through the streets of Orlando in recent days. I am relieved 
that the individuals who viciously attacked a Jewish student have been 
charged with hate crime assault and grand theft. For one of the group's 
leaders, this is the second time he has been charged with committing 
violent acts against innocent bystanders this year. These hateful and 
violent acts followed several incidents in which anti-Semitic flyers 
were left outside homes across South Florida.
    We are joined today by Rabbi Yosef Konikov from Chabad of South 
Orlando, who I have been honored to join for joyful celebrations with 
his congregation. I appreciate your leadership during these difficult 
events in our community and stand with you in rejecting anti-Semitic 
attacks on our neighbors, friends, and families.
    All of this comes at a time when, as we learned at last week's 
hearing, we are seeing ``fringe'' extremist ideologies being 
mainstreamed and violent ideologies from across the spectrum embrace 
anti-Semitism. Let me be clear--anti-Semitism and targeted violence 
against religious institutions have no place in the United States of 
America.
    Today, 20 years after 9/11, the terrorism threat landscape is far 
more complex with nonprofits such as religious institutions 
increasingly targeted by domestic and foreign terrorists. Last month, 
the Nation collectively ``held its breath'' as congregants at Sabbath 
service in a Texas synagogue were held at gunpoint by a terrorist.
    I commend the heroic actions of Rabbi Cytron-Walker, one of our 
witnesses here today, who grabbed a chair and heaved it at the gunman, 
allowing the congregants to escape. During the Colleyville attack, 
Rabbi Cytron-Walker credited his quick actions security to security 
training that funded, in part, by the Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
or NSGP. Under this program at-risk religious institutions and other 
non-profits receive support to implement protective measures. These 
grants are critically important for religious institutions, and they 
keep communities safe, which is more important now than ever.
    As the terrorism landscape has grown more complex and houses of 
worship are increasingly being targeted, the demand for this program 
has risen exponentially. To meet this demand, Congress has increased 
funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Even with the recent 
increases, we still see a growing need for organizations to access this 
funding. With the rise of attacks against faith-based communities, we 
must continue to invest in their security.
    Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently advocated for 
increased funding for this critical program. I was pleased to support a 
$100 million increase in the ``Build Back Better Act'' last year and, 
last week, joined my colleagues in calling for additional 
appropriations for the program for next year.
    We have a great panel today. I look forward to hearing from our 
witnesses today about the challenges the American Jewish community 
faces and what Congress can do to aid them.

    Chairwoman Demings. I am not sure if the Ranking Member 
from my committee has joined us. Mrs. Cammack, are you----
    Mrs. Cammack. Yes, I am.
    Chairwoman Demings. It is now my pleasure to introduce the 
Ranking Member of the Emergency Preparedness, Recovery, and 
Response Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from my home State of 
Florida, Mrs. Cammack, for an opening statement.
    Mrs. Cammack. Well, thank you, Chairwoman Demings. Thank 
you to all my colleagues and our witnesses for being here 
today.
    Now, before I begin, I would first like to take a moment to 
recognize Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, whose quick thinking and 
use of his security training helped save lives. Without a 
doubt, you absolutely saved lives. I sincerely appreciate you 
taking the time to share your experiences here today with us.
    I would also like to recognize the dedicated Federal, 
State, and local law enforcement officers who answered the call 
that day. Our first responders put their lives on the line 
every single day and we thank them for helping keep our 
communities safe.
    Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman Slotkin, Ranking Member 
Pfluger, I would like to thank you all for convening this 
hearing today to discuss FEMA's Nonprofit Security Program and 
the critical role that this program plans in protecting our 
houses of worship.
    The event that took place at the Congregation Beth Israel 
Synagogue is, unfortunately, just the latest in a string of 
anti-Semitic attacks that have plagued Jewish communities both 
at home and abroad in recent years. In 2017, a retired French 
doctor was killed in her Paris apartment by an attacker 
motivated by anti-Semitism. The following year, much closer to 
home, a man shouting anti-Semitic slurs opened fire inside the 
Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11. 
In December 2019, a Jewish kosher deli was attacked in Jersey 
City, New Jersey, leaving 4 victims dead.
    While faith-based communities across the country face 
varying levels of discrimination, the American Jewish community 
continues to face a persistent threat of violence. This is a 
threat that has been shown to come from a variety of 
ideological motivations. According to the FBI's hate crime 
statistics, in 2020, there were 1,174 victims who were targeted 
due to their religion. Of those victims, the Jewish community 
accounted for a staggering 54.9 percent of all religious-bias 
crime. Nearly 55 percent, that is a staggering number and 
unacceptable.
    These reported anti-Semitic incidents occurred at Jewish 
institutions, such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and 
Jewish schools. The reported incidents included harassment, 
vandalism, and assault.
    While the continued prevalence of these attacks can 
sometimes seem overwhelming, as Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker 
showed us, the proper use of security training and resources 
can absolutely help save lives. One of the most important 
resources available to houses of worship is FEMA's Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program. This competitive grant program provides 
funding to support the target-hardening and other security-
related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high 
risk for a terrorist attack. Specifically, the program seeks to 
integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit 
organizations with the broader State, local, Tribal, and 
territorial preparedness efforts.
    The vital nature of this program is highlighted by the fact 
that in fiscal year 2021, more than 3,300 nonprofit 
organizations submitted applications to this program. Almost 40 
percent of the nonprofits that applied had never received this 
funding. However, due to the wide-spread demand for this 
program, less than half of the nonprofits that applied ended up 
receiving funding.
    As the lead Republican on the House Homeland Security 
Committee, Subcommittee for Emergency Preparedness, Response, 
and Recovery, I remain committed, along with Chairwoman 
Demings, to strengthen our Nation's overall emergency 
preparedness by supporting programs like the Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program.
    I also remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner 
to stop and combat anti-Semitism and violence across all 
religious groups. Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of our 
Constitution, and any violation of this freedom should not be 
tolerated. For this reason, I cosponsored a bipartisan 
resolution condemning the recent anti-Semitic terrorist act on 
the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue.
    In closing, I am incredibly proud to represent Florida's 
Third Congressional District, which has an incredible, vibrant 
faith community. In fact, my district includes the University 
of Florida, the Gator Nation, which is home to the largest 
Jewish student organization in the country, Gators for Israel. 
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on the importance 
of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and the ways in which 
they have used this grant program to protect their faith 
communities and any recommendations that they have to improve 
this program moving forward.
    With that, I thank you, Chairwoman Demings, and I yield 
back.
    [The statement of Ranking Member Cammack follows:]
                Statement of Ranking Member Kat Cammack
    Before I begin, I would first like to take a moment to recognize 
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, whose quick thinking and use of his 
security training helped save lives. I sincerely appreciate you taking 
the time to share your experiences here with us today.
    I would also like to recognize the dedicated Federal, State, and 
local law enforcement officers who answered the call that day. Our 
first responders put their lives on the line every day and we thank 
them for helping to keep our communities safe.
    Chairwoman Demings and Chairwoman Slotkin, I would like to thank 
you both for convening this hearing today to discuss FEMA's Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program and the critical role this program plays in 
protecting houses of worship.
    The event that took place at the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue 
is unfortunately just the latest in a string of anti-Semitic attacks 
that have plagued Jewish communities both at home and abroad in recent 
years.
    In 2017, a retired French doctor was killed in her Paris apartment 
by an attacker motivated by anti-Semitism. The following year, and much 
closer to home, a man shouting anti-Semitic slurs opened fire inside 
the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11 
congregants. And in December 2019, a Jewish kosher deli was attacked in 
Jersey City, New Jersey, leaving 4 victims dead.
    While faith-based communities across the country face varying 
levels of discrimination, the American Jewish community continues to 
face a persistent threat of violence. This is a threat that has been 
shown to come from a variety of ideological motivations.
    According to the FBI's hate crime statistics, in 2020, there were 
1,174 victims who were targeted due to their religion. Of those 
victims, the Jewish community accounted for 54.9 percent of all 
religious bias crimes.
    These reported anti-Semitic incidents occurred at Jewish 
institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish 
schools. The reported incidents included harassment, vandalism, and 
assault.
    While the continued prevalence of these attacks can sometimes seem 
overwhelming, as Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker showed us, the proper use 
of security training and resources can help save lives.
    One of the most important resources available to houses of worship 
is FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This competitive 
grant program provides funding support for target hardening and other 
security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high 
risk of a terrorist attack.
    Specifically, the NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness 
activities of these nonprofit organizations with broader State, local, 
Tribal, and territorial preparedness efforts.
    The vital nature of this program is highlighted by the fact that in 
fiscal year 2021, more than 3,300 nonprofit organizations submitted 
applications to the program. Almost 40 percent of the nonprofits that 
applied had never before received NSGP funding.
    However, due to the wide-spread demand for this program, less than 
half of the nonprofits that applied ended up received funding.
    As lead Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee's 
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, I 
remain committed to working with Chairwoman Demings to help strengthen 
our Nation's overall emergency preparedness posture by supporting 
programs like the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
    I also remain committed to working to combat anti-Semitism and 
violence against all religious groups. Freedom of religion is a 
cornerstone of our Constitution, and any violation of this freedom 
should not be tolerated. For this reason, I co-sponsored a bipartisan 
resolution condemning the recent anti-Semitic terrorist act on the 
Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue.
    In closing, I am incredibly proud to represent Florida's Third, a 
district that has such a vibrant faith community. In fact, my district 
includes the University of Florida, which is home to the largest Jewish 
student organization in the country, Gators for Israel.
    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on the importance of 
the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, the ways in which they've used 
this grant program to protect their faith communities, and any 
recommendations they have to improve the grant program going forward.
    Thank you and I yield back.

    Chairwoman Demings. I thank the Ranking Member for her 
opening statement. The Chair now recognizes the Chairwoman of 
the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, the 
gentlewoman from Michigan, Ms. Slotkin.
    Chairwoman Slotkin. Thank you, Madam Chair. A warm, warm 
welcome to all of our witnesses.
    Since I became the Chair of the Subcommittee on 
Intelligence and Counterterrorism last year, about a year ago, 
we focused on how the threat to our communities has evolved 
over the last several years, from international terrorism to 
home-grown and domestic violent extremism. More and more we are 
finding that these extremist ideologies don't exist in 
isolation. The lines between hate and terror and conspiracy are 
increasingly blurring together.
    The latest reminder of this truth and the catalyst for this 
hearing is what happened and what we saw in Colleyville, Texas, 
last month. Ordinary Americans came face-to-face with what 
happens when anti-Semitic ideology, terrorist ideology, is 
mixed with historic conspiracy theories about Jewish influence. 
This evolving threat is one that the Department of Homeland 
Security actually just highlighted yesterday in their latest 
National terrorism bulletin. As the ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt 
told our committee last week, ``Anti-Semitism is at the beating 
heart'' of this extremist ideology.
    Therefore, Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to place in 
the record the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin that 
was issued yesterday by DHS.
    Chairwoman Demings. Without objection.
    [The information follows:]
   [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    
    Chairwoman Slotkin. So, let us just be clear about 
Colleyville. This was not an isolated incident. The last 5 
years have seen a 60 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents 
Nation-wide, with 2020 marking the third-highest amount since 
ADL began tracking these incidents in the 1970's. We felt this 
particularly acutely in the State of Michigan, where I am from, 
where we saw a 21 percent increase from graffitied swastikas on 
buildings to Zoom bombings.
    In the weeks after Colleyville, it has become clear that 
this tragedy, like so many before it, has become a rallying 
point for hate and extremism of all kinds: Al-Qaeda supporters, 
White supremacists, Holocaust deniers, QAnon conspiracy 
theorists, Islamophobes. All have seized onto this particularly 
tragedy for their own twisted ends.
    So, this growing threat can be demoralizing, but as our 
witnesses today will note, we are far from powerless against 
it. Today, we have the rare ability, particularly for this 
committee, the rare ability to not only discuss the tools we 
know are effective in protecting against violent hate, but to 
hear from someone who can speak to its value better than 
anyone.
    I am truly honored that we are able to have Rabbi Cytron-
Walker with us today. Simply put, Rabbi Charlie's actions late 
last month literally saved lives. As he said, they were made 
possible by the training and support he received before the 
incident, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
    We have seen the value of these programs across Michigan. I 
will just say when one of the largest mosques in our State, 
which is in my district, IAGD, faced a flurry of anti-Islamic 
harassment and vandalism just after the Christchurch shooting, 
we brought them together with leaders from the Jewish 
community, including the rabbi who married me, and worked 
together to secure this funding to protect their house of 
worship.
    Since 2019, this program has provided nearly 7 million to 
secure over 70 synagogues, mosques, churches, schools, and 
community centers across Michigan. Over 500,000 of that was to 
my district and that includes churches in Brighton and Okemos, 
a parish in Pinckney, Michigan State's Hillel Program in East 
Lansing, and, again, the Islamic Association in Rochester 
Hills.
    But we know that there is more that we can do, both in 
closing the $200 million funding shortfall we have seen since 
last year, we have also been advocating with over 170 of our 
colleagues in bipartisan basis to make this an easier program 
to access, particularly for smaller communities, which is 
something the Rabbi and I spoke about.
    Today's hearing is focused on some of the most pressing 
policy issues and threats before our committee, but for me, it 
is also deeply personal. As it happens, Rabbi Charlie is a 
native Michigander. He is from the Lansing area, which I 
represent; his mom still lives there. He actually went to 
summer camp with my brother. But, as we know, other of our 
witnesses are wonderful representatives and I want to recognize 
their work on these issues for the long term.
    Then last, I want to recognize the perverseness of having 
to secure our houses of worship the way my colleagues and I had 
to harden our facilities when I served in places like Iraq. But 
while we work to prevent these tragedies from occurring, it is 
also our responsibility to ensure that these same cherished 
institutions and sacred places are not the most vulnerable.
    We have seen the contradiction between the spirit of 
charity and welcoming people into places, like the synagogue in 
Colleyville, and then the threats that our faith communities 
are facing. But that openness, which moves a congregation to 
open up their sanctuary to a stranger in need, that is a 
strength in our community and we need to do everything we can 
to secure it.
    So, looking forward to discussing how we can continue to 
protect these houses of worship. With that, Madam Chair, I 
yield back.
    [The statement of Chairwoman Slotkin follows:]
                 Statement of Chairwoman Elissa Slotkin
                            February 8, 2022
    Since I became Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and 
Counterterrorism last year, we've focused on how the threat to our 
communities has evolved over the last several years--from international 
terrorism to home-grown and domestic violent extremism.
    More and more, we're finding that these extremist ideologies don't 
exist in isolation--the lines between hate, terror, and conspiracy are 
increasingly blurring together.
    The latest reminder of this truth--and the catalyst for this 
hearing--is what we saw in Colleyville, TX, last month. Ordinary 
Americans came face to face with what happens when an anti-Semitic 
terrorist ideology is mixed with historic conspiracy theories about 
Jews' influence.
    This evolving threat is one that the Department of Homeland 
Security highlighted just yesterday, in their latest National terrorism 
bulletin. As the ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt told our committee last 
week, ``anti-Semitism is at the beating heart'' of these extremist 
ideologies.
    Let's be clear, this was no isolated incident. The last 5 years 
have seen a 60 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents Nation-wide, 
with 2020 marking the third-highest amount since the ADL began tracking 
them in the 1970's. We've felt this particularly acutely in Michigan, 
where we saw a 21 percent increase--from graffitied swastikas to Zoom 
bombings.
    In the weeks after Colleyville, it's become clear that this 
tragedy, like so many before it, has become a rallying point for hate 
and extremism of all kinds: Al-Qaeda supporters, White supremacists, 
Holocaust deniers, QAnon conspiracy theorists, Islamophobes--all have 
seized onto this tragedy for their own twisted ends.
    This growing threat can be demoralizing: But as our witnesses today 
will note, we are far from powerless against it. Today, we have the 
rare ability to not only discuss tools we know are effective in 
protecting against this violent hate, but to hear from someone who can 
speak to its value better than anyone.
    I'm truly honored that we are able to have Rabbi Charlie Cytron-
Walker with us today. Simply put, Rabbi Charlie's actions last month 
saved lives--and as he has said, they were made possible by the 
training and support he received, before the incident, including 
through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
    We've seen the value of this program across Michigan. When one of 
the largest mosques in my district, the Islamic Association of Greater 
Detroit, faced a flurry of anti-Islamic harassment and vandalism just 
after the Christchurch shooting, we brought them together with leaders 
from the Detroit Jewish community--and worked together to secure NSGP 
funding to protect their house of worship.
    Since 2019, this program has provided nearly $7 million to secure 
over 70 synagogues, mosques, churches, schools, and community centers 
across Michigan--over $500,000 just to those in my district, including 
churches in Brighton and Okemos, a parish in Pinckney, Michigan State's 
Hillel in East Lansing, and, again, the Islamic Association in 
Rochester Hills.
    But we know there's still more we can do: Both in closing the $200 
million funding shortfall we saw last year, which I've advocated for 
along with over 170 of my colleagues, and in making the NSGP easier to 
access for our smaller communities.
    Today's hearing is focused on some of the most pressing policy 
issues and threats before our committee. But for me, it's also deeply 
personal. As it happens, Rabbi Charlie is a native Michigander, with 
his mom still in Lansing--he actually went to summer camp with my 
brother.
    But, as Rabbi Konikov has said, this could have been any of our 
synagogues, or churches, or mosques, or gurudwaras--Tree of Life, 
Christchurch, Sutherland Springs, Oak Creek.
    I want to recognize the perverseness of the fact that we need to be 
here talking about how to harden our houses of worship against attack, 
in the way my colleagues hardened facilities when I was overseas 
alongside our military.
    But while we work to prevent tragedies like these from occurring, 
it's also our responsibility to ensure that our most cherished and 
sacred places are not our most vulnerable.
    Many have highlighted the seeming contradiction between the spirit 
of charity with which the attacker in Colleyville was welcomed into the 
congregation, and the threats facing our faith communities.
    But that openness, which moves a congregation to open their 
sanctuary to a stranger in need? That's our strength as a community.
    Today, I'm looking forward to discussing how we can protect it.

    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you, Chairwoman Slotkin. The 
Chair now recognizes the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on 
Intelligence and Counterterrorism, the gentleman from Texas, 
Mr. Pfluger, for an opening statement.
    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman 
Slotkin, Ranking Member Cammack. It is very important today and 
I really appreciate the effort that we are going through here 
to hold this important joint subcommittee hearing and to thank 
our witnesses for your time and for joining a discussion on an 
issue that threatens the safety and security of Americans 
across the country and, unfortunately, is pervasive throughout 
the world.
    The Jewish community is targeted more often than any other 
religious group in the United States. Since the FBI began 
collecting crime data in the 1990's, the number of hate crimes 
against the Jewish community have ranged from 600 to 1,200 
incidents each year. Quite frankly, that data being 
voluntarily, it could probably also be very under-
representative of the true facts. In 2020, the most recent year 
that the FBI has published data, Jewish Americans were the 
target of nearly 60 percent of all religiously-motivated hate 
crimes, despite accounting for less than 2 percent of the total 
U.S. population.
    It is imperative that we get a better understanding of the 
threat that Jewish Americans face every day and how Federal and 
local law enforcement can better work together to protect not 
just this demographic, but also against any sort of hate crime 
because it is completely unacceptable.
    I am especially grateful to have Rabbi Charlie Cytron-
Walker here today as a witness. First off, sir, you are a hero 
and we are grateful for the bravery and the courage that you 
showed in a very trying time. Barely a month ago, a British 
citizen, Malik Faisal Akram, took the rabbi and 3 other members 
of Congregation Beth Israel hostage on a Saturday in 
Colleyville, Texas. Akram's goal was allegedly to secure the 
release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani terrorist who is serving 
an 86-year term in a Fort Worth prison for the attempted murder 
of U.S. officers in Afghanistan. But in the face of danger, 
Rabbi Cytron-Walker waited for an opportune moment and acted.
    We are absolutely grateful, Rabbi, for your quick thinking, 
your heroic actions, your courage, and really the fact that you 
were prepared. It is unfortunate, and I agree with Chairwoman 
Slotkin, that it is unfortunate that we have to be thinking 
like that, you know. But I very much appreciate your courage 
and that we didn't have an incident that could have been worse.
    We owe it to all the houses of worship across America, and 
especially to our synagogues, to bolster safety and security 
from any sort of religiously-motivated hate crime or threat of 
terrorism. At the Federal level we must make improvements to 
our information-sharing agreements, with our Visa Waiver 
Program partner countries to ensure that others like Akram with 
violent criminal histories are known to DHS and to the agency 
partners before they are allowed to enter the United States, to 
move freely and threaten any American citizen.
    We must also ensure that communications and information 
sharing between the Federal and local law enforcement levels 
continues to be strong, that it continues to move between these 
agencies to detect threats, so that we can prevent situations 
like Colleyville from happening. What brings us here today, we 
must continue our support of faith-based communities through 
the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
    I am very interested to hear from our witnesses today as to 
how they are working to protect Jewish synagogues, schools, and 
recreational facilities. I would like to learn more about the 
threat that we face, that they face, and the partnerships that 
we see, the reporting capabilities and how the information 
sharing is really working. I am interested in those details, so 
that we can protect our houses of worship, so that we can 
continue to have that freedom that our framers and that our 
Constitution allows and that really, quite frankly, makes this 
country the greatest country in the world.
    Protecting our houses of worship, it is essential to our 
safety and our security, but it is essential to being an 
American. An attack on the Jewish members of our community is 
an attack on the very pillars of the religious freedoms that 
our country was founded upon.
    So, in closing, I would like to thank our witnesses and I 
would like to thank Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman Slotkin, and 
Ranking Member Cammack for holding this very important meeting, 
and I yield back.
    [The statement of Ranking Member Pfluger follows:]
               Statement of Ranking Member August Pfluger
    Thank you, Chairwoman Slotkin and Chairwoman Demings, for holding 
this important joint subcommittee hearing today, and thank you to our 
witnesses for joining us to discuss an issue that threatens the safety 
and security of Americans across the country and is pervasive 
throughout the world.
    The Jewish community is targeted more often than any other 
religious group in the United States. Since the FBI started collecting 
crime data in the 1990's, the number of hate crimes against the Jewish 
community has ranged from 600 to 1,200 incidents every year. And, since 
the FBI's data is based on voluntary reporting by local law 
enforcement, these statistics are frequently either underreported or 
not reported at all. In 2020, the most recent year the FBI has 
published data on, Jewish Americans were the target of nearly 60 
percent of the religiously-motivated hate crimes, despite accounting 
for less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. I am very interested in 
getting a better understanding of the threat Jewish Americans face 
every day and how Federal and local law enforcement can work to better 
protect them, as well as other at-risk religious groups.
    I am especially grateful to have Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker as a 
witness today. Barely a month ago, British citizen Malik Faisal Akram 
took the Rabbi, along with three other members of Congregation Beth 
Israel, hostage during their Saturday service in Colleyville, Texas. 
Akram's goal was to secure the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani 
terrorist serving an 86-year sentence in a Fort Worth prison for the 
attempted murder of U.S. officers in Afghanistan. In the face of 
danger, Rabbi Cytron-Walker waited for an opportune moment and acted. 
We are incredibly thankful, Rabbi, for your quick thinking and heroic 
actions that day, leading to the safe escape of you and your 
congregants.
    We owe it to all houses of worship in America, and especially to 
our synagogues, to bolster their safety and security from all 
religiously-motivated hate crimes and threats of terrorism. At the 
Federal level, we must make improvements to our information-sharing 
agreements with our Visa Waiver Program partner countries to ensure 
that others like Akram with violent criminal histories are known to DHS 
and their agency partners before they are allowed to move freely about 
the United States. We must also ensure communication and information 
sharing between Federal and local law enforcement to guarantee 
responsiveness and prevention capabilities for situations like 
Colleyville. And, what brings us here today, we must continue our 
support of faith-based communities through the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program.
    I am very interested to hear from our witnesses today as to how 
they are working to protect Jewish synagogues, schools, and 
recreational facilities around the country. I would like to learn more 
about the threat Jewish Americans face, partnerships they have with law 
enforcement, their reporting capabilities to threats of violence as 
well as attacks, and how Congress can help improve the current security 
measures they have in place. Protecting our houses of worship is 
essential to the safety and security of all Americans. An attack on the 
Jewish members of our communities is an attack on the very pillars of 
religious freedom our country was founded upon. Thank you again to all 
our witnesses for joining us today, and I look forward to a robust 
conversation.

    Chairwoman Demings. The Chairwoman thanks the Ranking 
Member. It is now my honor to recognize the Chair of the full 
committee, the gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. Thompson, for an 
opening statement.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you, Chairwoman Demings, 
Chairwoman Slotkin, Ranking Member Cammack, and Ranking Member 
Pfluger, for holding this timely hearing.
    In the early 2020, in the wake of anti-Semitic attacks on 
Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey, including a 
deadly invasion of a rabbi's home during Hanukkah, the 
committee held a series of hearings on the topic. At the time, 
we received testimony from a diverse group of Jewish leaders 
about what the Federal Government should be doing to respond to 
the rise of anti-Semitic terrorism and violence.
    They issued an urgent call for the increased funding for 
the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which Congress answered. 
Funding was doubled to $180 million. Earlier this Congress, the 
House passed the Build Back Better Act, which would add $100 
million to the program.
    Last week, we received compelling testimony from Jonathan 
Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, about how 
the Jewish community is a primary target for violent extremists 
from across the ideological spectrum. Certainly, last month's 
attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, 
illustrates that fact, as the perpetrator was cheered by both 
violent White supremacists and Islamist terrorists.
    Today, we are fortunate to have a hero in our midst. Rabbi 
Cytron-Walker, thank you for joining us and being so willing to 
share your story. I understand you relied on knowledge gained 
from security training to bring the incident being to a 
peaceful conclusion. Your steadiness and courage were 
undoubtedly important factors.
    On the subject of the Colleyville attack, I would note that 
the committee is conducting aggressive oversight into this 
incident and met just last week with the FBI and other 
officials. While the attacker appears to have been motivated by 
the desire to force the release of an Islamist terrorist, the 
approach he took was predicated on the belief in historic and 
dangerous anti-Semitic tropes about so-called ``Jewish power.'' 
Such tropes are a prominent feature of a number of conspiracies 
espoused by QAnon and others and put real people in danger. It 
falls to all of us to speak out loudly against them.
    As someone with a long history with the Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program, I am pleased that we are holding this hearing 
today to get testimony on the record about the importance of 
the program and why its funding should be significantly 
increased.
    With that, Madam Chair, I yield back.
    [The statement of Chairman Thompson follows:]
                Statement of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson
                            February 8, 2022
    In early 2020, in the wake of anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish 
communities in New York and New Jersey, including a deadly invasion of 
a rabbi's home during Chanukah, the committee held a series of hearings 
on the topic. At the time, we received testimony from a diverse group 
of Jewish leaders about what the Federal Government should be doing to 
respond to the rise in anti-Semitic terrorism and violence.
    They issued an urgent call for increased funding for the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program--which Congress answered. Funding was doubled to 
$180 million. Earlier this Congress, the House passed the Build Back 
Better Act which would add $100 million to the program.
    Last week, we received compelling testimony from Jonathan 
Greenblatt, the head of Anti-Defamation League, about how the Jewish 
community is a primary target for violent extremists from across the 
ideological spectrum. Certainly, last month's attack on Congregation 
Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas illustrates that fact--as the 
perpetrator was cheered by both violent White supremacists and Islamist 
terrorists.
    Today, we are fortunate to have a hero in our midst. Rabbi Cytron-
Walker, thank you for joining us and being so willing to share your 
story. I understand you relied on knowledge gained from security 
trainings to bring the incident being to a peaceful conclusion, and 
your steadiness and courage were undoubtedly important factors.
    On the subject of the Colleyville attack, I would note that the 
committee is conducting aggressive oversight into this incident and met 
just last week with FBI. While the attacker appears to have been 
motivated by the desire to force the release of an Islamist terrorist, 
the approach he took was predicated on the belief in historic and 
dangerous anti-Semitic tropes about so-called ``Jewish power.'' Such 
tropes are a prominent feature of a number of conspiracies espoused by 
Q-Anon and others and put real people in danger. It falls to all of us 
to speak out loudly against them.
    As someone with a long history with the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program, I am pleased that we are holding this hearing today to get 
testimony on the record about the importance of the program and why its 
funding should be significantly increased.

    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members are 
reminded that the committees will operate according to the 
guidelines laid out by the Chairman and Ranking Member in their 
February 3 colloquy regarding remote procedures. Without 
objection, Members not on the subcommittees shall be permitted 
to sit and question the witnesses. Additional Member statements 
may be submitted for the record.
    [The statement of Honorable Jackson Lee follows:]
               Statement of Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee
                            February 8, 2022
    Thank you, Chairwoman Demings and Ranking Member Cammack, for 
convening the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and 
Recovery to hear witnesses at today's hearing entitled, ``The Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program and Protecting Houses of Worship: A View from 
the American Jewish Community.''
    I look forward to hearing from today's witnesses:
   Charlie Cytron-Walker, Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel, 
        Colleyville, Texas;
   Yosef Konikov, Rabbi, Chabad of South Orlando;
   Eric Fingerhut, president & CEO, Jewish Federations of North 
        America (Minority Witness); and
   Michael Masters, national director & CEO, Secure Community 
        Network.
    The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony from leaders in 
the American Jewish Community about the heightened violence and threats 
against their houses of worship and community members.
    This hearing will highlight the importance of the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program (NSGP), which plays a critical role in helping 
at-risk nonprofit organizations and religious communities bolster 
security.
    I am eager to hear directly from members of diverse segments of the 
American Jewish community and the Jewish Federation of North America 
(JFNA) on what improvements are needed to help secure places of worship 
against attacks.
    Recent attacks against synagogues in the United States include:
   Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (2018)
   Poway synagogue shooting (2019)
   Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis (2022).
    Prior to September 11, 2001, the Federal Government had a wide 
range of law enforcement, National security, and crime investigative 
agencies that collected information, but jealously guarded this 
information from other agencies.
    More than 20 years after the 9/11 attacks, the terrorism landscape 
is complex, diffused, and dynamic.
    The 9/11 Commission Report allowed an in-depth assessment of the 
failures that led to the horrific terrorist attacks against the United 
States that cost the lives of nearly 3,000 people.
    The House Committee on Homeland Security was created to implement 
the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report and ensure that 
resources were provided to support the mission of homeland security.
    The most significant task of the committee was guiding the 
establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and making sure 
that it had all that it would need to carry out its mission to keep all 
Americans safe from the threat of terrorism.
    I, along with other Members who have served on this committee since 
its inception, made a commitment that a terrorist attack of the 
magnitude that occurred on September 11, 2001, would never happen 
again.
    An essential component of our ability to keep this commitment was 
the establishment of stronger ties among local, State, and Federal law 
enforcement and building collaborations with private-sector partners.
    Since the founding of DHS its mission remains the same--to defend 
the homeland from terrorist attacks and to help victims recover from 
disasters that are natural and man-made.
    Although terrorist actors espousing violent Islamist ideologies 
continue to pose a threat, the greatest terrorism threat to the 
homeland today is posed by domestic violent extremists, particularly 
from those who promote a violent White supremacy ideology.
    Further complicating counter-terrorism efforts is the convergence 
of violent ideologies where violent White supremacy (including anti-
Semitism) often combines with other violent ideologies to drive an 
attack.
    The face and threats posed by terrorism is now sourced from 
domestic threats that have been present within this Nation for a very 
long time but have found voice to reemerge in recent years.
    This domestic threat to Americans has been most acutely felt by 
African American, Jewish, Asian, and Hispanic Americans.
    Some of the tragedies include:
   Hundreds of Black Americans horrifically massacred in Tulsa, 
        Oklahoma (1921);
   Attack at the Federal building in Oklahoma City killed 168 
        people, including 19 children (1995);
   Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where 6 persons were killed during 
        worship services (2012);
   White supremist kills 9 worshipers at the Mathe Mother 
        Emanual Church Charleston South Carolina (2015);
   In 2017, 4 people were seriously injured at a Congressional 
        baseball practice (2017);
   Tree of Life Synagogue were tragically killed during Shabbat 
        morning services (2018);
   Poway synagogue shooting (2019);
   El Paso mass shooting attacker targeting Hispanics killed 22 
        (2019);
   January 6 attack on the Capitol following historic high 
        turnout of minority voters in Georgia and Arizona impacting the 
        outcome of the Presidential and Senate elections (2021); and
   Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis (2022).
    Since 2018, there have been 3 violence attacks targeting the 
American Jewish community and hundreds of incidents of centered on 
hate.
    In 2018, ADL recorded 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents, the third-
highest number of recorded incidents in the past 4 decades.
    In 2020, Jewish institutions reported 327 anti-Semitic incidents, 
an increase of 40 percent from 234 in 2019.
    Additionally, in 2020, Jewish institutions further highlighted that 
of the 327 reported anti-Semitic incidents, ``264 were incidents of 
harassment, 61 were incidents of vandalism and 3 were incidents of 
assault.''
    As a result of COVID-19 many religious observances are moving to 
virtual platforms and Jewish organizations report having their 
videoconferences disturbed or hijacked by interlopers who express anti-
Semitic sentiments.
    In 2020 alone, the ADL reported 196 cases of anti-Semitic ``Zoom 
bombing'' attacks in the United States, including 114 against Jewish 
institutions.
    Members of the Jewish faith may be able to fully understand the 
threat posed by these acts of violence because of a history that spans 
millenniums with stories of violence carried out against members of the 
Jewish faith--just because of how they worship God.
    This history did not turn the community of believers inward--but 
the opposite.
    The power of the collective Jewish communities' compassionate 
loving reaction to terrible acts of violence was witnessed by human and 
civil rights leaders from the earliest efforts to end slavery, Jim 
Crow, and today's fight for equity within the United States.
    This is the bond that connects the Civil Rights movement to the 
Jewish Faith, which includes joining in marches, sit-ins, voter 
registration drives in the deep South--none of which were safe things 
to do--but they were the right things to do for the Nation.
    An embodiment of this joint struggle were the deaths of Goodman, 
Schwerner, and Chaney--names that will forever be linked.
    On February 1, 2022, the first day of Black History month bomb 
threats targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
is both disturbing and tragic.
    Many HBCUs welcomed Jewish intellectuals fleeing Europe during the 
rise of Nazism in the early 1930's.
    During this period more than two-thirds of the faculty hired at 
many HBCUs from 1933 to 1945 had come to the United States to escape 
Nazi Germany.
    HBCUs believed the Jewish professors were valuable faculty that 
would help strengthen their institutions' credibility.
    HBCUs had a firm belief in diversity and giving opportunity no 
matter the race, religion, or country of origin.
    HBCUs were open to Jews because of their ideas of equal learning 
spaces, which demonstrated that an environment where all people felt 
welcome to study, including women could prosper.
    In this environment the leaders of the modern civil rights movement 
were educated.
    The history of the civil rights movement and HBCUs is inextricable 
linked.
    HBCUs are where early civil rights leaders and church leaders were 
forged.
    The list of prominent leaders and the HBCUs they attended:
   Kamala Harris (Howard University)
   Martin Luther King (Morehouse)
   Rosa Parks (Alabama State)
   Medgar Evers (Alcorn State University)
   Thurgood Marshall (Lincoln University and Howard University)
   Jesse Jackson (North Carolina A&T)
   Ralph Albernathy (Alabama State University)
   Lonnie Johnson (Tuskegee State University)
   Langston Hughes (Lincoln University)
   Harry and Harriette Moore (Bethune Cookman College)
   Clementa Carlos Pinckney (Allen University)
   Toni Morrison (Howard University)
   Booker T. Washington (Hampton University)
   Alice Walker (Spelman)
   Katherine Johnson (West Virginia State University)
   John Lewis (Fisk University)
   W.E.B. Dubois (Fisk University)
   Ida B. Wells (Fisk University).
    Targeting African Americans for working for all Americans to have 
equal access to housing, employment, and opportunities is best 
illustrated by the history of Birmingham Alabama, which earned the 
bloody name of ``Bombingham'' because of the number of bomb attacks in 
that city between 1947 and 1965, the year the Voting Rights Act passed.
    The first martyrs of the civil rights movement were Henry and 
Henrietta Moore, two voting and civil rights activists who won battles 
for voting rights and equal pay in the State of Florida.
    At the time of their murder Florida had the highest number of 
registered Black voters in all of the South.
    In 1951, they were both killed by a bomb placed under their bed on 
Christmas Eve, the date of their anniversary.
    The struggle to make the United States in word and deed live up to 
the words of the Constitution continues, but we must be prepared to 
weather the storms caused by those who want to drag the Nation back 
into a dark place in its history.
    It is important to note that the violence targeting African 
Americans dropped drastically with the passage of the Voting Rights Act 
of 1965.
    Because of the real threat of violence faced by vulnerable groups 
the DHS security grants program is a necessary and important tool that 
must be available to assist places of worship in increasing security.
    Members of this committee recognize that the terror landscape has 
changed: Violent extremists today pick and choose individual elements 
of violent ideologies that fit their world view.
    Groups from ISIS to domestic White supremacist are united in their 
violent anti-Semitism--leaving the American Jewish Community 
particularly vulnerable.
    Nonprofits, including those within the American Jewish community, 
have no choice but to invest in protection against the threat from 
these violent ideologies, and rely on NSGP funding to do so.
    Democrats recognize that we must support these at-risk nonprofits 
and ensure that houses of worship have the resources they need to 
bolster their security in the face of these terror threats.
    I want to make it very clear--that this is not just a burden for 
Jewish places of worship to carry--but the responsibility of the United 
States to protect against terrorist attacks no matter the target or the 
place attacked--it is vitally important that all members of our Nation 
feel and know that they are not alone when they face a threat.
    An attack against one place of worship is an attack against all 
places of worship.
    As I learn of the incident that brought violence to a place of 
worship, it always touches me deeply because of the place my faith 
experiences have in my life--I am shaped by my experiences in the place 
where my worshiped.
    Places of worship are and must remain places of peace, 
contemplation, introspection, connections to our present, past, and 
future.
    Democrats have doubled funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
from $90 million in fiscal year 2020 to $180 million in fiscal year 
2021, but it is still not enough to meet the real and pressing need.
    As a Member of the House Budget Committee, I join other Members of 
this committee in calling for significant increases to funding in 
fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill and the ``Build Back Better Act'' 
would have added $100 million in additional funding.
    In addition to more funding, the infrastructure of the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program both within FEMA and among the States needs to 
mature to help ensure that eligible at-risk non-profits can easily 
apply and access the resources they desperately need to ensure 
community members can worship and congregate safely.
    I look forward to today's testimony and the work of this committee 
to continue in its efforts to strengthen and improve the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program.
    I yield back the balance of my time.
    Thank you.

    Chairwoman Demings. I now welcome again our panel of 
witnesses. I will recognize the gentlewoman from Michigan, Ms. 
Slotkin, to introduce our first witness.
    Chairwoman Slotkin. Great. Thank you, Madam Chair. It is my 
honor to introduce Rabbi Cytron-Walker to our committee. Over 
the past month, Americans have come to know him for his heroic 
actions last month, which undoubtedly saved lives. But Rabbi 
Charlie has been the rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in 
Colleyville, in Texas, since 2006. He graduated from the 
University of Michigan, which we won't hold against him, in 
1998. He received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union 
College in 2006.
    Along the way he worked with the homeless population in Ann 
Arbor and a civil rights organization in Detroit, and has been 
recognized for his leadership on a whole range of issues, all 
emblematic of the warm spirit which he bring to his ministry.
    Of course, as I mentioned earlier, we are proud to call him 
a proud Michigander and native of Lansing, Michigan, which I 
represent.
    On the day of the attack, I found myself talking to his 
sister and, through the family rabbi, to his mother as the 
events unfolded, just making sure to pass along the great 
information or the important information that I was getting 
from the Department of Homeland Security. We ended up becoming 
quickly connected, as did the entirety of the Detroit Jewish 
community on that day. No family should ever have to go through 
what that family went through watching the rabbi.
    After speaking with Rabbi Charlie in the days since, I have 
been really moved by his courage, of course, but also his 
exceptional presence of mind during those incidents, which I 
know from serving 3 tours in Iraq, when your adrenaline is 
going and you are under threat, it is very hard to have 
presence of mind. Frankly, his perspective on events and using 
this awful experience to advocate for the protection of other 
communities in need.
    When we spoke on the phone, we spoke about post-traumatic 
stress, about leadership and how important leadership is in 
these moments, and about these moments in our lives that really 
give us purpose and give us mission.
    So, Rabbi Charlie, it is our privilege to have you with us 
here today, to give you the opportunity to share your story 
with Congress, with the world. We feel really proud to host you 
at this event. I am very glad for the opportunity as a fellow 
Jewish Michigander to welcome you to the committee.
    Chairwoman Demings. Our second witness is Rabbi Yosef 
Konikov. He is the rabbi of Chabad South Orlando. In 1999, 
Rabbi Konikov and his wife founded the Chabad Center in South 
Orlando, which includes a Hebrew school, preschool, a popular 
summer camp, and several other educational programs and 
activities. In 2009, he also founded a private Jewish 
elementary school. Again, welcome, Rabbi.
    Our third witness is the Honorable Eric D. Fingerhut. 
Congressman Fingerhut is the president and CEO of the Jewish 
Federations of North America. Congressman Fingerhut has had a 
distinguished career in public service, including representing 
Ohio's 19th Congressional District from 1993 to 1995. Welcome 
back to the House of Representatives, Congressman Fingerhut.
    Our fourth and final witness is Michael Masters. Mr. 
Masters is the national director and CEO at the Secure 
Community Network. Previously, Mr. Masters served as senior 
vice president of the Soufan Group and as the executive 
director of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency 
Management for Cook County, Illinois, where he coordinated the 
Homeland Security and Emergency Management System.
    We are so looking forward to hearing from our witnesses 
today. Without objection, the witness' full statements will be 
inserted in the record.
    I now ask that each witness will summarize their statement 
for 5 minutes, beginning with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.

 STATEMENT OF RABBI CHARLIE CYTRON-WALKER, RABBI, CONGREGATION 
                          BETH ISRAEL

    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman 
Slotkin, Ranking Member Cammack, Ranking Member Pfluger, 
Chairman Thompson, thank you so much for the opportunity to 
share some thoughts with you this morning. This is the first 
time I have appeared before a Congressional committee and it is 
great to see that there are so many fellow Texans and 
Michiganders on the subcommittees.
    I would like to take a moment before turning to the 
substance of my remarks to publicly thank Chairwoman Slotkin 
for her kind introduction and even more for her thoughtful 
outreach to my family during and after that traumatic day. I 
know it was a source of great comfort.
    I believe and often teach that Judaism is filled with 
contradictions because life is filled with contradictions. 
Today I am filled with mixed and even contradictory emotions. 
On the one hand, I am truly horrified that in our society today 
religious leaders must devote themselves to security training. 
How to harden our facilities is both a necessary conversation 
and anathema to religious ideals of hospitality and loving the 
stranger.
    At the same time, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful 
to be here. To be honest, I am grateful to be anywhere.
    I am so grateful that 6 years ago almost to the day I 
attended the faith-based Security Summit that was hosted by the 
FBI, Homeland Security, and our region's U.S. Attorney's 
Office. It was my first education related to active shooters 
and the first time I was introduced to the concept of a 
security committee. Since then, I have participated in about a 
half-dozen different security workshops offered by the FBI, the 
ADL, Colleyville Police, and the Secure Communities Network. 
Those sessions helped me to stay alert, look for an 
opportunity, and gave me the courage to act when I needed to.
    I am so grateful that just a few months after the Security 
Summit our congregation formed our first security subcommittee. 
Their work was responsible for numerous physical security 
enhancements, educational sessions, and the development of our 
security action plan. They built a strong relationship between 
the Colleyville PD and Congregation Beth Israel. The police 
officers who were at CBI that day knew our building and knew 
us. All of their work made a dramatic difference.
    I am so grateful for the financial support of our members, 
Tarrant County's Jewish Federation, and the Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program that made our security plans possible. That 
included upgrading our security cameras, which was critical to 
law enforcement. Matthew DeSarno, special agent in charge of 
the FBI's Dallas field office, has said that the video coverage 
gave the decision makers, the negotiators, and others general 
situational awareness.
    As grateful as I am for the support and funding under the 
Nonprofit Security Grant Act, my understanding is that the 
funding is not at a level where it can meet the urgent needs of 
the communities it was created to protect. Every congregation 
needs to be prepared, yet the gap between the need and funding 
is profound.
    In 2021, fewer than half the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program applications were approved. Further complicating the 
situation, it is also my understanding that if an institution 
does not receive much-needed security grants, there is no 
indication of where their application fell short. Without 
feedback, it is impossible to improve the application for the 
future.
    That is disheartening at a time when religious institutions 
need reassurance and support. Perhaps FEMA or the appropriate 
agency could be required to provide some type of response to a 
grant application. I know that would impose an additional 
burden, which would need to be alleviated by additional 
funding.
    In small congregations we face special challenges in 
dealing with Government grants. We have two paid staff: A part-
time administrative assistant and myself. Almost all the work 
of running our congregation is done by our members as 
volunteers. Perhaps just as the IRS provides short forms for 
small organizations, FEMA and other agencies could do the same 
here or find another way to lower the barriers for smaller 
congregations.
    On the morning of January 15, when the gunman arrived, 
there was me and one volunteer in the building. I was running 
late. I was finishing my preparations for the Torah reading, 
organizing the on-line setup, checking sound. In the midst of 
trying to do a million different things I had a stranger come 
to the door.
    I have, of course, thought about that moment a great deal. 
I welcomed a terrorist into my congregation. I live with that 
responsibility. It is important for you to understand that this 
was not a matter of me opening the door just because I value 
hospitality. I do value hospitality. The Torah scroll that we 
read from each week was gifted to our congregation thanks to 
hospitality. I strive to live that value every day. Like so 
many congregations of all backgrounds, CBI strives to be a 
house of prayer for all people.
    At the same time, I also value security. In a small 
congregation I am rabbi and tech support and gatekeeper. When 
our member asked if I knew the person at the door, I was 
distracted, but I still did a visual inspection. After a brief 
word, he appeared to be who he said he was: A guy who spent a 
night outside in sub-40-degree weather. But that was just the 
first analysis, yes.
    I served him tea. I also spoke with him throughout the 
process to learn his story. Who was he? How did he get to CBI? 
Such conversation is welcoming and it gave me an opportunity to 
see if he was acting nervous or if his story added up. Security 
and hospitality can go hand-in-hand.
    I was running late, but I spent time to see if there were 
any red flags, and I didn't see any. Of course, I was wrong.
    I share this because despite all the plans and funding and 
courses, I still opened the door. But because of all the plans 
and funding and courses, and literally dozens of small things 
that just happened to go our way, we were able to escape.
    Right now there are far too many houses of worship that are 
just beginning the process we started 6 years ago. Right now 
there are far too many houses of worship that have developed 
plans and are counting on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
to put them in place and help them feel more secure in their 
spiritual home. Right now there are far too many houses of 
worship that won't get the support they need, especially small 
congregations.
    Tragically, we live in a world where all houses of worship 
need protection. All of us need protection. I believe that both 
Democrats and Republicans desperately want to change that 
reality.
    Changing our reality all at once is too much. That is why 
Rabbi Tarfon reminds us in ``Pirkei Avot'' that we aren't 
obligated to complete the work, but we cannot neglect it. I am 
not asking to fix everything, but increasing funding for and 
making appropriate adjustments to the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program, the kinds of recommendations that Mr. Fingerhut will 
be testifying to just a little bit later on, that would be an 
incredibly positive step in the right direction.
    It is an honor for me to speak with you today. Thank you 
for the opportunity.
    [The prepared statement of Rabbi Cytron-Walker follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker
                            February 8, 2022
    Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman Slotkin, Ranking Member Cammack, 
Ranking Member Pfluger, thank you for the opportunity to share some 
thoughts with you this morning.
    This is the first time I have appeared before a Congressional 
committee, and it's great to see so many fellow Texans on the 
subcommittees. I would like to take a moment, before turning to the 
substance of my remarks, to publicly thank Chairwoman Slotkin for her 
kind introduction and, even more, for her thoughtful outreach to my 
family during and after that traumatic day. I know it was a source of 
great comfort.
    I believe, and often teach, that Judaism is filled with 
contradictions because life is filled with contradictions. And today I 
am filled with mixed and even contradictory emotions.
    On the one hand, I am devastated about what brings me before you 
today. It's horrific that my congregants and I were held hostage in our 
sacred home. It feels so wrong to have those words come out of my 
mouth. We spent over 10 hours with a terrorist pointing a gun at us in 
our sanctuary. We were concerned for ourselves and for one another. We 
were terrified.
    And what happened at Tree of Life in Pittsburgh and Chabad of Poway 
a few years ago was so much worse. Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox--
those who hate Jews do not distinguish among us. Anti-Semitic attacks 
and incidents in every form have increased throughout the country. 
There's a lot of concern in the Jewish community. We're struggling. And 
we're not alone.
    There have been terrible moments of harassment and violence and 
bloodshed at churches and mosques, and basically every religion has 
experienced challenging moments or tragedy. The murder of 6 worshippers 
at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek (WI) in 2012 was devasting. The murder 
of 9 worshippers, all Black, at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston 
(SC) in 2015 was terrifying for all of us, especially for so many in 
the Black community. It was another blow, shattering the perception of 
safety in religious spaces.
    And for those of us from Texas, we remember the horrific bloodshed 
at the Sutherland Springs church--where 26 people were murdered in the 
deadliest mass shooting in Texas history and the deadliest shooting in 
a place of worship in the United States. No one should fear gathering 
to pray or celebrate or mourn or connect in their spiritual home.
    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. And that's our reality. Even 
though the chances are so remote that violence will be visited upon any 
one congregation--our recent past has shown that tragedy and trauma can 
happen. That's our harsh reality and it's been our harsh reality. We 
can't ignore that reality. We have to confront it.
    That means we all have to be prepared. Preparation does not mean we 
expect calamity or live in fear of disaster. Preparation means that we 
will have the resources and policies and training to reduce the chances 
of a tragic event and increase the chances of surviving the worst.
    This is why my emotions are mixed this morning. I am truly 
horrified that in our society today religious leaders must devote 
themselves to security training. How to ``harden'' our facilities is 
both a necessary conversation and anathema to religious ideals of 
hospitality and loving the stranger. And yet I am also grateful. I am 
grateful to be here. To be honest, I'm grateful to be anywhere.
    So many things went right even as we were confronted by such 
violence. And Government support has been invaluable. That's why I 
appreciate this opportunity to be with you this morning to thank you 
and your colleagues for the support and funding you have provided to 
help secure our congregations. It has been, literally, life-saving. At 
the same time, it is tragically clear the need is far greater than the 
current funding can address, and slight alterations will make a world 
of difference.
    I am so grateful that 6 years ago, almost to the day, I attended 
the Faith-Based Security Summit that was hosted by the FBI, Homeland 
Security, and our region's U.S. Attorney's Office. It was my first 
education related to active shooters and the first time I was 
introduced to the concept of a security committee. Since then, I have 
participated in about a half-dozen different security workshops offered 
by the FBI, the ADL, Colleyville Police, and the Secure Communities 
Network (SCN). Those sessions helped me to stay alert, look for an 
opportunity, and gave me the courage to act.
    I am so grateful that just a few months after the Security Summit, 
Mike Finfer, our current congregational president, formed our first 
security subcommittee. Their work was responsible for numerous physical 
security enhancements, educational sessions, and the development of our 
Security Action Plan. They built a strong relationship between the 
Colleyville PD and Congregation Beth Israel. The police officers who 
were at CBI that day knew our building and knew us. All of their work 
made a dramatic difference.
    I am so grateful that Colleyville Mayor, Richard Newton, formed a 
Ministerial Alliance that I started attending in 2017. Through those 
meetings I was able to develop a strong relationship with city 
leadership, the fire chief, and the police chief. I never would have 
guessed how important the relationship with Police Chief Miller and 
having his cell phone and email at my fingertips would be.
    I am so grateful for the financial support of our members, Tarrant 
County's Jewish Federation, and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
that made our security plans possible. That included upgrading our 
security cameras, which was critical to law enforcement. Matthew 
DeSarno, special agent in charge of the FBI's Dallas Field Office has 
said that the video coverage ``gave the decision makers, the 
negotiators and others general situational awareness.''\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ Nicole Sganga, ``Calls for Boosted Security Funding Intensity 
Among Faith Leaders After Texas Synagogue Hostage Standoff,'' CBS News, 
January 22, 2022. Available at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/calls-
boosted-security-funding-intensify-among-faith-leaders-after-texas-
synagogue-hostage-standoff/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    As grateful as I am for the support and funding under the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Act, my understanding is that the funding is not at a 
level where it can meet the urgent needs of the communities it was 
created to protect. Every congregation needs to be prepared, yet the 
gap between the need and funding is profound: In 2021 fewer than half 
of Nonprofit Security Grant Program applications were approved.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\ Marc Rod, ``Fewer Than Half of NSGP Grant Applications Approved 
for 2021,'' JewishInsider, July 28, 2021. Available at https://
jewishinsider.com/2021/07/less-than-half-of-nsgp-grant-applications-
approved-for-2021/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Further complicating the situation, it is also my understanding 
that if an institution does not receive a much-needed security grant, 
there is no indication of where their application fell short. Without 
feedback, it's impossible to improve the application for the future. 
That's disheartening at a time when religious institutions need 
reassurance and support. Perhaps FEMA or the appropriate agency could 
be required to provide some type of response to a grant application. I 
know that would impose an additional burden, which would need to be 
alleviated by additional funding.
    Others who have a better picture of the National situation will 
speak to you this morning; I want to add a few thoughts from the 
perspective of a small congregation.
    Small congregations--which are most congregations in all faiths 
across the county--face special challenges in dealing with Government 
grants. We have 2 paid staff--a part-time administrative assistant and 
myself. Almost all of the work of running our congregation is done by 
our members, as volunteers. It typically takes all their efforts to 
keep the lights on and the synagogue running. Filling out extensive 
forms and finding the information they require is typically more than 
they can handle. Many small congregations don't even apply because they 
see the paperwork requirements and they admit defeat. We were fortunate 
that we happened to have a very capable volunteer who was able to 
dedicate an incredible amount of time to our effort to secure a grant. 
I understand the need for accountability and fraud prevention. Perhaps 
just as the IRS provides ``short forms'' for small organizations, FEMA 
and other agencies could do the same here or find another way to lower 
the barriers for smaller congregations.
    For while small congregations might not have the resources to fill 
out all of the paperwork, a small congregation is a special place that 
needs your support and your protection. There's always a gap between 
our ideal and our reality, and at a small congregation that gap can be 
quite wide. The ideal would be to have at least one volunteer outside 
of locked doors to welcome attendees and at least one volunteer inside 
to let people in. That would be a stretch goal for us when it's not 
COVID, and during COVID, it just wasn't a possibility. We only had 3 
congregants show up in person a few weeks ago.
    On the morning of January 15, when the gunman arrived, it was me 
and one volunteer in the building. I was running a bit late. I was 
finishing my preparations for the Torah reading and loading the 
PowerPoint slides with the prayers onto the computer. I needed to turn 
on projectors and check the sound and start Zoom and Facebook Live. I 
was rabbi and tech support; not an uncommon situation. And in the midst 
of trying to do a million different things, I had a stranger come to 
the door.
    I have, of course, thought about that moment a great deal. I 
welcomed a terrorist into my congregation. Four of us could have died 
and I would have been responsible. I live with that responsibility. And 
it's important for you to understand that this was not a matter of me 
opening the door just because I value hospitality.
    I do value hospitality. I have welcomed in people who were Jewish 
or who were interested in learning about Judaism--all races, all gender 
identities, all income levels . . . people with accents and piercings 
and tattoos. The Torah scroll that we read from each week was gifted to 
our congregation thanks to hospitality. I strive to live that value 
every day. Like so many congregations--synagogues, churches, and 
mosques--Congregation Beth Israel strives to be ``a house of prayer for 
all people.''\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\ Isaiah 56:7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At the same time, I also value security. When our member asked if I 
knew the person at the door, I was distracted, but I still did a visual 
inspection and after a brief word, he appeared to be who he said he 
was--a guy who spent a night outside in sub 40-degree weather. But that 
was just the first analysis. Yes, I served him tea. I also spoke with 
him throughout the process to learn his story. Who was he? How did he 
get to CBI? Such conversation is welcoming and gave me an opportunity 
to see if he was acting nervous or if his story added up. Security and 
hospitality can go hand-in-hand. I was running late, but I spent time 
to see if there were any red flags and I didn't see any. Of course, I 
was wrong.
    I share this because despite all the plans and funding and 
courses--I still opened the door. But because of all the plans and 
funding and courses and literally dozens of small things that just 
happened to go our way, we were able to escape.
    And right now, there are far too many houses of worship that are 
just beginning the process we started 6 years ago.
    Right now, there are far too many houses of worship that have 
developed plans and are counting on the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program to put them into place and help them feel more secure in their 
spiritual home.
    Right now, there are far too many houses of worship who won't get 
the support they need.
    Tragically, we live in a world where those houses of worship need 
protection. And I believe that both Democrats and Republicans want to 
change that reality. It's not naivete--it's intentional societal 
disobedience. I refuse to accept that any of you are satisfied with the 
status quo. We all need to work together to solve our problems.
    Changing our reality all at once is a bit too much to ask. That's 
why Rabbi Tarfon \4\ that we aren't obligated to complete the work, but 
we can't neglect it. I'm not asking to fix everything, but increasing 
funding for and making appropriate adjustments to the Nonprofit 
Security Grant Program would be an incredibly positive step in the 
right direction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\ Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Ancestors), 2:16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    It is an honor for me to speak with you today. Thank you for the 
opportunity.

    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you, Rabbi Cytron-Walker, for 
your testimony. I now recognize Rabbi Konikov to summarize his 
statement for 5 minutes.

   STATEMENT OF RABBI YOSEF KONIKOV, RABBI, CHABAD OF SOUTH 
                            ORLANDO

    Rabbi Konikov. Good morning. Thank you for allowing me to 
participate in today's hearing. Thanks also to our own very 
dear House Representative, Chair Val Demings, for inviting me 
and for all she does for our district and for our great 
country.
    My name is Rabbi Yosef Konikov. I am the senior rabbi at 
the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, serving the South Orlando 
community. Twenty-two years ago I arrived here to further the 
mission of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, 
who was actually honored by this Congress with its highest 
civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, in 1994. That 
mission, in which I engaged together with thousands of 
colleagues across all 50 States, is to share the Torah's 
message of love for others, unity, kindness, charity, and 
faith.
    Today at our center, people of all ages, from all 
backgrounds and walks of life, come to find strength, meaning, 
and encouragement, to study, be inspired, and derive a true 
sense of community. We are well-known for our nonjudgmental 
approach and accessibility.
    This has been very exciting for me, especially since my own 
grandfather, also a rabbi, tried to do the same in Soviet 
Russia years ago, but was restricted, even persecuted, for his 
mere practice of faith. As anti-Semitism and Communism didn't 
allow him to practice his religion openly, he fled to these 
shores and thankfully found a wonderful country, the land of 
the free and the home of the brave, where we can live in peace 
and practice our religion freely and with pride, without fear 
or danger.
    But sadly, new realities are echoing the dangers of the 
last generation, albeit this time not from the Government, but 
radicals and prejudiced, misguided citizens. These realities 
are causing many members of our community, and I know many 
others as well, to suddenly feel uncomfortable and even afraid 
to visit our center and synagogue and enjoy its many offerings. 
Well beyond our own centers, I know people in today's climate 
actually hesitate to openly observe our religion, to study with 
us, or just to come by to get inspired.
    Suddenly, we have become occupied with trying to calm 
people from their immediate fears of physical threats. Each new 
attack on a place of worship only exacerbates their fears.
    When I decided to be a rabbi, I never envisioned that 
contending with physical threats would be a part of my 
spiritual mission in the USA. Take, for example, as we just 
heard from Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, the recent attack on 
Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. The first 
reaction I heard from our community members was, I am so 
worried about them. My heart goes out to them.
    But the next thing I typically heard was, Rabbi, that could 
have been us.
    Indeed, there has been a disproportionate amount of 
incidents at facilities led and operated by my colleagues 
across the United States. Sadly, these events keep people away 
from synagogue. They make people hesitate before bringing their 
kids to a place that is in truth the healthiest place for a 
child. This is so unfortunate.
    Too often people call me and say, Rabbi, I just want to 
check if the guard is there today. Otherwise, I don't think I 
am going to come.
    As for us in Orlando, we not only read about anti-Semitism 
and hate, we at Chabad of South Orlando are regrettably on the 
front lines of these incidents with too-often hate crimes, bomb 
threats, and more. For example, just 2 weeks ago, in Orlando, 
neo-Nazis displayed flags, Nazi paraphernalia, attacked a 
motorist, used pepper spray on people, and caused general 
security alerts.
    Just a few months ago, this same group stationed themselves 
in front of our own Chabad Center for 3 hours, demonstrating 
with swastikas, other anti-Semitic signs, and hateful speech, 
yelling and cursing, including making threats on their 
loudspeakers, all with the sinister intention to intimidate and 
frighten everyone entering and exiting our Chabad Center, 
including many small innocent children.
    Thankfully, the law enforcement arrived. We would have 
wished they would send them away, but at least they were 
present and prevented any harm coming to our community members.
    We have here on the screen, and I am holding as well, a 
flyer that was distributed throughout the Central Florida area 
related to COVID how the Jews are to blame for the COVID 
agenda. It is these types of things that really frighten people 
in the community, especially when people are already hesitating 
coming back to the Center or Synagogue due to COVID. When they 
see these conspiracies being shared, it only exacerbates their 
fears.
    ADL's most recent Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents in the 
United States recorded more than 2,100 acts of assault, 
vandalism, and harassment, an increase of 12 percent over the 
previous year. Our Center has been victim to other horrible 
real on-line threats, including a series of phone threats, 
which have been swiftly and efficiently dealt with thanks to 
the sterling work of the FBI.
    Just this week, as we were trying to give out free food to 
families with children, a woman who was volunteering on the car 
pick-up drive-through turned to me and said, Rabbi, I don't 
think this is safe. Anyone can drive through here and cause 
harm.
    Trying to reassure her, I responded, you might be taking 
this too far. Someone can also do harm on your way home.
    She responded, I am not afraid at home. I am afraid here.
    The United States must help its citizens be protected, so 
they can practice their religion freely. Indeed, this is a 
cornerstone of the founding of this great Nation.
    As highly-visible Jewish sites with the largest 
infrastructure of synagogues and educational and social centers 
across the United States, over 2,500 centers in all 50 States, 
more than 200 in the State of Florida alone, the Chabad-
Lubavitch movement represents and is regularly responsible for 
the spiritual welfare of millions, men, women, and children at 
our sites and programs which impact and enhance communities in 
cities across our Nation.
    We need better security to help us, our congregants, and 
the wider community, as well as other communities around the 
country, deter, detect, delay, and even defend ourselves from 
those who wish to cause us harm.
    The NSGP program is an amazing program, but it is a very 
competitive one and fewer than half of applicant sites were 
awarded nationally last year in the fiscal year of 2021. We did 
receive the grant, the 2020, but then COVID hit and red tape 
has caused delays. Despite the award, we have not been able to 
implement the grant, sadly.
    I agree with many of the statements that Rabbi Cytron-
Walker mentioned about ways to cut down the time in order to 
implement the grant and ways to perhaps advance monies to allow 
the process to begin, although it is mentioned in the program, 
perhaps something can be done immediately in order to protect 
these sites. It can hardly be overemphasized how time is of the 
essence in this matter and addressing it properly and 
effectively.
    I also feel that perhaps we need more funds in order to 
allow for everyone that needs to be protected, be protected. 
Perhaps $500 million should be appropriated to protect these 
sites and ensure security for the homeland.
    I appreciate that our representatives in Washington, 
American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) maintain close contact 
with officials at the Department of Homeland Security, SCN, the 
Conference of Presidents, and other relevant contributors to a 
strong support for development and implementation of these 
programs. We across the Nation need the strength now more than 
ever.
    I close by quoting the Rebbe again, who guided world Jewry 
and the post-Holocaust generation through continued threats of 
anti-Semitism world-wide and fear of annihilation of Jews in 
Israel, and always declared that Am Yisrael Chai, the Jewish 
people will survive and grow ever stronger and our trust in God 
is to remain steadfast. Standing with the anticipation for a 
brighter era of world peace, the Biblical promised time of 
redemption and tranquility, he said, ``We must stand proud and 
strong and continue to be the shining light and moral compass 
for the world around us.''
    He repeatedly implored the Government of the United States, 
built on the principles of faith, trust in God, and justice, to 
stand by our side and the side of all its citizens to secure 
our rights to live in peace and without any fear of those who 
wished our demise.
    I stand here today as a representative of every Jew and 
shoulder to shoulder with every peace-loving citizen of this 
great Nation to urge our leaders, our Government, and its 
agencies to significantly increase its efforts and do 
everything in its power to secure our safety and our freedom so 
that we may continue to be a light to the nations in 
tranquility and in peace. We hope to live in peace, as written 
in the Bible, Kings 1, a passage quoted by our founding 
President, George Washington, to the early Jewish community in 
the United States, ``Each shall live under his vine and fig 
tree and no man shall be afraid.''
    I eagerly await the fulfillment of the prophecy when, 
``Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation, and the world 
will know war no more.'' A time when there will be no hatred 
nor jealousy. ``And the world will be filled with the knowledge 
of God,'' speedily in our days.
    Thank you for your time and for allowing me to share my 
thoughts and suggestions.
    [The prepared statement of Rabbi Konikov follows:]
               Prepared Statement of Rabbi Yosef Konikov
                            February 8, 2022
    Thank you for allowing me to participate in today's hearing, and 
thanks also to our own House Representative, Chair Val Demings, for 
inviting me, and for all she does for our district and our great 
country.
    My name is Rabbi Yosef Konikov, I am the senior rabbi at the Chabad 
Center for Jewish Life, serving the South Orlando Community.
    Twenty-two years ago, I arrived here to further the mission of the 
Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, of sacred memory, who was 
actually honored by this Congress with its highest civilian honor, the 
Congressional Gold Medal, in 1994.
    That mission, in which I engage together with thousands of 
colleagues across all 50 States, is to share the Torah's message of 
love for others, unity, kindness, charity, and faith.
    Today, at our center, people of all ages and from all backgrounds 
and walks of life, come to find strength, meaning, and encouragement, 
to study, be inspired, and derive a true sense of community.
    We are well-known for our non-judgmental approach and 
accessibility.
    This has been very exciting for me, especially since my own 
grandfather, also a rabbi, tried to do the same in Soviet Russia years 
ago, but was restricted, even persecuted, for his mere practice of 
faith. As anti-Semitism and communism didn't allow him to practice his 
religion openly, he fled to these shores, and thankfully found a 
wonderful country, the land of the free and the home of the brave, 
where we can live in peace, and practice our religion freely and with 
pride, without fear or danger.
    But sadly, new realities are echoing the dangers of the last 
generation, albeit this time not from the Government, but radicals and 
prejudiced misguided citizens. And these realities are causing many 
members of our community, and I know many others as well, to suddenly 
feel uncomfortable and even afraid to visit our center and enjoy its 
many offerings. And well beyond our own centers, I know people in 
today's climate actually hesitate to openly observe our religion, to 
study with us, or just to come by to get inspired.
    Suddenly, we've become occupied with trying to calm people from 
their immediate fears of physical threats. Each new attack on a place 
of worship only exacerbates their fears.
    When I decided to be a rabbi, I never envisioned that contending 
with physical threats would be a part of my spiritual mission in the 
USA!
    Take, for example, the recent attack on Congregation Beth Israel in 
Colleyville, Texas. The first reaction I heard from our community 
members was: ``I'm so worried about them. My heart goes out to them.''
    But the next thing I typically heard was: ``Rabbi, that could have 
been us!''
    Indeed, there has been a disproportionate amount of incidents at 
facilities led and operated by my colleagues across the United States.
    And sadly, these events keep people away from Synagogue. They make 
people hesitate before bringing their kids to a place that is in truth 
the healthiest place for a child. This is so unfortunate.
    (This is so unfortunate, especially given the Zoom option for so 
many of the events during the week which we normally have in person, 
and our struggle to bring people back personally.)
    Too often, people call me, and say: ``Rabbi, I just want to check 
if the guard is there today, otherwise, I won't come.''
    As for us in Orlando, we not only read about anti-Semitism and 
hate, we, at Chabad of S Orlando, are regrettably on the front line of 
these incidents with too often hate crimes, bomb threats, and more.
    For example, just 2 weeks ago, in Orlando, Neo Nazis displayed 
flags, Nazi paraphernalia, attacked a motorist, used pepper spray on 
people and caused general security alerts.
    Just a few months ago, this same group stationed themselves in 
front of our own Chabad Center for 3 hours, demonstrating with 
swastikas, other anti-Semitic signs and hateful speech, yelling and 
cursing, including making threats on loudspeakers, all with the 
sinister intention to intimidate and frighten everyone entering and 
exiting our Chabad Center, including many small innocent children.
    Thankfully, law enforcement arrived. We would have wished they 
would send them away, but at least they were present and prevented any 
harm coming to our community members.
    ADL's most recent Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents in the United 
States recorded more than 2,100 acts of assault, vandalism, and 
harassment, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year.
    Our Center has been victim to other horrible real on-line threats, 
including, a series of phone threats, which have been swiftly and 
efficiently dealt with thanks to the sterling work of the FBI.
    Just this week, as we were trying to give out free food to families 
with children, a woman who was volunteering on the car pick-up drive-
through, turned to me and said: ``Rabbi, I don't think this is safe. 
Anyone can drive through here and cause harm''. Trying to reassure her, 
I responded: ``You might be taking this too far. Someone can also do 
harm on your way home.''
    She responded: ``I'm not afraid at home. I'm afraid here.''
    The United States must help its citizens be protected, so they can 
practice their religion freely. Indeed, this is a cornerstone of the 
founding of this great Nation.
    As highly visible Jewish sites with the largest infrastructure of 
synagogues and educational and social centers across the United States 
(over 2,500 centers in all 50 States, more than 200 in the State of 
Florida alone), the Chabad-Lubavitch movement represents and is 
regularly responsible for the spiritual welfare of millions, of men, 
women, and children at our sites and programs which impact and enhance 
communities in cities across our Nation.
    We need better security, to help us, our congregants, and the wider 
community, as well as other communities around the country deter, 
detect, delay, and even defend ourselves from those who wish to cause 
us harm.
    The NSGP grant is an amazing program, but it is a very competitive 
grant, and fewer than half of applicant sites were awarded nationally 
last year, in fiscal year 2021.
    We did receive the grant in fiscal year 2020, then COVID hit, and 
red tape has caused delays. Despite the award, we have not been able to 
implement the grant. In any event, one cycle/award is not enough to 
install all the physical items we need, even basically, or to cover the 
cost of licensed armed security officers. We have a great team helping 
us process the grant, FDEM--(The FL Dept of Emergency Management) has 
been very helpful but there are too many delays from FEMA and we remain 
unprotected and vulnerable as we were before the grant was awarded, a 
grant for which we remain grateful.
    So, to help improve this situation Nation-wide, and for all 
communities, we recommend Congress consider initial partial advances of 
funds to kickstart implementation of measures by approved parties. 
Although it is officially a reimbursement grant, advances (as are 
offered in Section E of the grant agreement) should be offered and 
allowed in order to accelerate the process.
    It can hardly be overemphasized how time is of the essence in this 
matter and addressing it properly and effectively.
    There should be solid time restrictions and scrutiny of FEMA and 
FDEM response times.
    And a 36-month period of performance could be shortened if advances 
are not allowed.
    At present, there is too much back-and-forth between FEMA and FDEM, 
and not enough consistency in requirements or clarity on documentation 
or format.
    As the threat to houses of worship and other qualified venues 
increases, so too should the funding to keep our cities and communities 
safe: $180 million appropriated fiscal year 2021 by Congress was met by 
$400 million in applications.
    Perhaps $500 million should be appropriated to protect these sites 
and ensure security for the homeland.
    Additionally, it is important for local law enforcement to know 
there will be resources available to them should an incident require 
more response than they are prepared for under regular circumstances. 
Too often, it is understood from colleagues that there has been 
underwhelming response locally due to limited resources. And the 
perpetrators sense the soft response, which fails to discourage them as 
much as it should.
    An emphasis by the Government about willingness to make resources 
available to change that, complete with oversight about its 
implementation, could go a long way.
    I appreciate that our representatives in Washington, American 
Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) maintain close contact with officials at 
the Department of Homeland Security, SCN, the Conference of Presidents, 
and other relevant contributors to a strong support for development and 
implementation of these programs. And we, across the Nation, need this 
strength now more than ever.
    To quote The Rebbe again, who guided world Jewry and the post 
Holocaust generation through continued threats of anti-Semitism world-
wide and fear of annihilation of Jews in Israel, and always declared 
that Am Yisrael Chai, the Jewish people will survive and grow ever 
stronger and our trust in G-d is to remain steadfast:
    Standing with the anticipation for a brighter era of world peace, 
the Biblical promised time of redemption and tranquility, he said, we 
must stand proud and strong and continue to be the shining light and 
moral compass for the world around us.
    And he repeatedly implored the Government of the United States, 
built on the principles of faith, trust in G-d and justice, to stand by 
our side and the side of all its citizens to secure our rights to live 
in peace and without any fear of those who wish for our demise.
    I stand here today as a representative of every Jew and shoulder to 
shoulder with every peace-loving citizen of this great Nation to urge 
our leaders, our Government and its agencies to significantly increase 
its efforts and do everything in its power to secure our safety and our 
freedom so that we may continue to be a light to the nations in 
tranquility and in peace.
    We hope to live in peace, as written in the Bible (Kings 1, 5:5), a 
passage quoted by our founding president George Washington to the early 
Jewish community in the United States, ``Each shall live under his vine 
and fig tree and no man shall be afraid''.
    I eagerly await the fulfillment of the prophecy when ``Nation shall 
not lift up sword against nation, and the world will know war no 
more.'' A time when there will be no hatred nor jealousy. ``And the 
world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d'', speedily in our days.
    Thank you for your time, and for allowing me to share my thoughts 
and suggestions.

    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you so much, Rabbi Konikov, for 
your testimony. Without objection, the flyer that you presented 
will be entered into the record.
    [The information follows:]
    [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    Chairwoman Demings. I now recognize Congressman Fingerhut 
to summarize his statement for 5 minutes.

  STATEMENT OF ERIC FINGERHUT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE JEWISH 
   FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA AND FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS

    Mr. Fingerhut. Thank you. Chair Demings, Ranking Member 
Cammack, Chair Slotkin, Ranking Member Pfluger, Members of the 
esteemed subcommittees, full Chair Chairman Thompson, and all 
the distinguished Members, it is indeed a privilege to be back 
in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you for convening 
this morning's hearings.
    As Chair Demings mentioned, I am a former Member of 
Congress. I also served 10 years in the Ohio Senate. I also had 
the privilege of serving as chancellor of Ohio's Public 
University System. I mention that because I had the 
responsibility of chairing a State-wide task force on campus 
security after the shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007. I now 
serve as president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North 
America, which is the umbrella organization for 146 Jewish 
Federations and over 300 smaller networked Jewish communities.
    Now, I know that the distinguished Members of this 
committee are familiar with the work of Jewish Federations and 
with our volunteer and professional leadership in their 
respective communities. We thank you for the many ways in which 
you have supported and enhanced our mission across the full 
spectrum of communal life.
    Security has always been a core concern of our Jewish 
Federations. The ability and confidence of our community to 
participate fully in Jewish religious and cultural life depends 
on feeling safe, as both Rabbi Cytron-Walker and Rabbi Konikov 
have both beautifully stated.
    Now, it is important for me to say that no nation in 
history has a better record of safety and inclusion for its 
Jewish community than the United States of America. A fact that 
we in the Jewish communal leadership never forget, not for a 
single moment. But nevertheless, we Americans are not immune to 
the viruses of hate that are dramatically on the rise at this 
very moment at home and abroad.
    The committee Members in your Statements spoke of the 
increased violent attacks on faith-based institutions. But my 
dear colleagues, these are not statistics. Let me name some of 
them: The 2006 deadly attack at the Jewish Federation of 
Greater Seattle; the 2009 deadly attack on the United States 
Holocaust Memorial Museum; the 2012 deadly attack on the Sikh 
Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin; the 2004 deadly attack on the 
Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas; the 2015 
deadly attack on the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church 
in Charleston; the 2018 deadly attack on the Tree of Life 
Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and the 2019 deadly 
attack on the Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California.
    Since the attacks on the Tree of Life Synagogue building in 
2018, September, we have experienced the most intense period of 
violent attacks on Jews in the history of this country, from 
Pittsburgh to Poway to Monsey to Jersey City to Denver to 
Boston to Brooklyn, and now to Colleyville.
    Esteemed Representatives, this is a moment of crisis, 
unique crisis, for the Jewish community in America. We 
respectfully, but urgently, ask you to respond to help and 
encourage the Congress to respond in full.
    Now, it is, of course, the responsibility of Government to 
keep all its citizens safe in their places of worship and other 
spaces or gathering. But I want you to know that we in the 
Jewish Federations have also accepted the collective communal 
responsibility to ensure that all Jewish organizations are 
fully protected. We have raised and will continue to raise 
significant philanthropic funding for security work, but the 
resources needed are vast and ever-increasing.
    Now, we have focused our effects on two major areas. First, 
on providing expert professional security guidance to every 
community throughout our system. As we grow these initiatives, 
they will also help address the concerns with smaller 
communities, as Rabbi Cytron-Walker mentioned in his testimony.
    Second, we focus on ensuring the physical security of our 
institutions and enhancing their preparedness posture against 
future attacks. In 2004, JFNA helped create the Secure 
Community Network, and you are going to hear from Michael 
Masters next, and proposed and worked with Congress to create 
this Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Both of these 
are now crucial pillars of the safety and security of the 
Jewish community across the United States.
    Now, you will hear from my colleague, Michael Masters, the 
CEO of SCN, so you don't need to hear from me the important 
role that SCN plays, partnering with Jewish Federations and 
organizing local community security initiatives. Forty-five of 
the 146 Jewish communities now have such organized initiatives 
that have been created in partnership with SCN. Today, JFNA is 
working with SCN to extend this umbrella over every Jewish 
community throughout the United States through our LiveSecure 
campaign, which is one of the largest philanthropic initiatives 
in our history. Unfortunately, even with this extensive 
funding, an additional infusion of significant Governmental 
resources is necessary to achieve the level of security that we 
desperately need.
    Now, as Members of the committee and my fellow witnesses 
have all mentioned, the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
is that essential public-private partnership. We are so 
grateful for its resources and for the past support, but it is 
not without its challenges others have noted. I want to make 
five quick points and suggestions for improvement.
    First, of course, is the funding level, which has been 
referred to. There are somewhere between 350,000 and 400,000 
houses of worship in the United States and about another 1.2 
million registered nonprofits, all of them could be potentially 
eligible for this program. Even if only 1 percent of these 
organizations know about and apply for the program in a given 
cycle, the FEMA and the local State authorities would be 
inundated with something like 15,000 applications, 5 times as 
many applications as applied in fiscal year 2021. As we have 
shared with you, based on our experience and best information, 
we believe that full funding would increase the total, the 
current total, to $360 million.
    Second, the program lacks sufficient management and 
administrative support. While the program has quadrupled in 
size since 2018 and is now the third-largest FEMA preparedness 
grant program by volume, FEMA and the State Administrative 
Agencies struggle to keep up with the necessary administrative 
oversight and infrastructure to carry out their duties. We 
support Congress allowing the NSGP Program Office to use some 
of the funds to cover their management and administrative 
costs.
    I understand my time is up. The third quick point is that 
the program lacks resources to assist nonprofits as they go 
through the application process. We encourage use of the funds 
for this purpose as well.
    Fourth, we encourage the NSG Program to be waived from the 
requirement of the Paperwork Requirements Act, so that they can 
more quickly adapt the program.
    Finally, they lack the statutory authority to fully respond 
to today's increasingly complex, diffuse, and dynamic threat 
landscape. We urge the Congress to include appropriations 
language allowing FEMA to include hate and grievance-based 
crimes based on the ideology, belief, and mission of the 
applicant.
    I thank you for holding this important hearing, for 
indulging my testimony, and I welcome any questions that you 
may have.
    [The prepared statement of Hon. Fingerhut follows:]
                  Prepared Statement of Eric Fingerhut
                            February 8, 2022
    Chair Demings, Ranking Member Cammack, Chair Slotkin, Ranking 
Member Pfluger, and Members of the esteemed Subcommittees on Emergency 
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and on Intelligence and 
Counterterrorism, thank you for convening this morning's hearing on 
protecting faith-based and charitable communities from terrorist and 
terroristic threats and the Jewish communal response.
    My name is Eric Fingerhut. I am a former Member of Congress from 
Ohio. I now serve as president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of 
North America, the umbrella organization for 146 Jewish Federations and 
over 300 smaller ``networked'' communities. The Jewish Federation 
system represents and speaks for essentially every organized Jewish 
community in the United States.
    Jewish Federations are the engines that build and sustain 
flourishing Jewish communities--by helping them remain healthy, safe, 
caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in 
their broader communities, and connected to Israel and the global 
Jewish people. To accomplish this sacred work, we raise the necessary 
funds to support social services, educational and cultural programming 
of all kinds, and we are proud to partner with our local, State, and 
Federal representatives to help meet the vital needs of our Jewish 
communities and their neighbors. Collectively, our system is one of the 
ten largest philanthropic bodies in the United States.
    We are strong and present advocates on the national, State, and 
local levels. We know that the distinguished Members of this committee 
are familiar with the work of the Jewish Federations and with our 
volunteer and professional leadership in your respective States. We 
thank you for the many ways in which you have supported and enhanced 
our mission across the full spectrum of communal life.
    Security has always been a core concern of Jewish Federations and 
in the present climate, a central tenet of our work. We know that the 
ability and confidence of our community to participate fully in Jewish 
religious and cultural life depends on feeling safe--safe to attend 
synagogue, safe to drop our children off at the Jewish Community Center 
for pre-school or day camp, safe to walk down the street wearing 
visibly Jewish head coverings and clothing, safe to gather in groups to 
celebrate, to mourn, to support our brothers and sisters in the State 
of Israel, and to be active in the life of our communities, our 
campuses, and our civic associations.
    The United States of America has historically been the most 
welcoming nation in history with respect to the protection and safety 
of the Jewish people. Nevertheless, we Americans are not immune to the 
viruses of hate that remain in the world, and that are dramatically on 
the rise at this very moment at home and abroad. We are so grateful 
that your subcommittees are meeting this morning to assess the complex, 
diffuse, and dynamic impact of terrorism on the American Jewish 
community and the lessons we can share to help protect other at-risk 
communities, and that you are cognizant of the crucial importance of 
strong and capable Federal support to better secure places of worship 
and the entire at-risk charitable sector from targeted acts of 
violence.
    At a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs Committee more than 20 years ago, we first shared our 
perspectives on how Congress could direct and coordinate Federal 
resources and expertise to local communities in the wake of 9/11. The 
September 11 attacks were an abrupt wake-up call for our entire 
country. We in the Jewish community became acutely and frighteningly 
aware that our own institutions were vulnerable and at-risk, based on 
the anti-Semitic rhetoric of those who committed those attacks.
    As the recent armed hostage crisis at the Congregation Beth Israel 
synagogue in Colleyville, Texas underscored, in the 20 years since the 
9/11 attacks, the terrorism landscape for faith-based institutions has 
become significantly more complicated and challenging. We now need to 
defend ourselves against multiple fronts: Foreign terrorist 
organizations, home-grown violent extremists, and domestic violent 
extremists. These actors, while motivated by disparate ideologies of 
hate, share common cause in their violent anti-Semitism. As you are 
well aware, extremism of all kinds is spiking across the country, 
manifesting in bombings and bomb threats, arsons, assaults, 
intimidation, trespass, and property damage. The consequences are 
increasingly deadly.
    The attack on Colleyville is not just another statistic to us. 
Rabbi Cytron-Walker will obviously share his harrowing experience. The 
event is reminiscent, in all the most horrifying ways, of the 2006 
deadly attack at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, the 2009 
deadly attack on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the 2012 
deadly attack on the Sikh Temple of (Oak Creek) Wisconsin, the 2014 
deadly attack on the Jewish Community Center and retirement community 
in Overland Park, Kansas, the 2015 deadly attack on the Emanuel African 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in Charleston, South Carolina, the 2018 
deadly attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, and the 2019 deadly attack on the Congregation Chabad in 
Poway, California. In recent weeks, HBCUs have been subjected to a 
series of bomb threats and harassment. And even as law enforcement and 
counterterrorism agencies strive to identify and respond to incidents 
before they occur, they know that the next strike could happen 
anywhere, and often without any advance warning whatsoever.
    The significance of the armed stand-off at Congregation Beth Israel 
reverberated throughout every Jewish community across the country. 
While attacks on faith institutions are not only the experience of the 
Jewish community, as I have noted, it is nevertheless the case that, 
since the attacks on the Tree of Life synagogue building in September 
2018, we have experienced the most intense period of violent attacks on 
Jews in the history of this country--from Pittsburgh to Poway to Monsey 
to Jersey City to Denver to Boston to Brooklyn and now to Colleyville. 
This is a crisis moment for our community.
    After 9/11, the United States went on the offense against 
terrorists around the world. But we also built a homeland security 
infrastructure that has protected us from those who take steps to plan 
attacks here at home. Similarly, the Jewish community must do two 
things to respond to this wave of violence. We must fight anti-Semitism 
in all its forms, wherever it appears. But we must also urgently build 
the security infrastructure that will prevent those who plan violent 
attacks from succeeding.
    It is, of course, the responsibility of Government to keep all its 
citizens safe in their places of worship and other spaces for 
gathering. But we also have accepted the collective communal 
responsibility to ensure that all Jewish organizations are fully 
protected. While we have raised and will continue to raise significant 
philanthropic funding, the resources needed are vast and ever-
increasing. We need governmental support to fill the gap. Individual 
synagogues, JCCs, Hillels, Family Services Agencies, Hebrew Homes, day 
schools, and pre-schools are all increasingly vulnerable, and their 
ability to detect, deter, mitigate, and recover from these attacks 
cannot fall on their shoulders alone.
    The Jewish Federations of North America has been a crucial catalyst 
and coordinating body to bring about a needed shift in the Jewish 
community's security posture and to offer assistance, advice, and 
advocacy to other faith and cultural groups who are also at heightened 
risk of attack. We have focused on two major areas: (1) Providing 
expert professional security guidance throughout our system, and (2) 
Ensuring the physical security of our institutions and enhancing their 
preparedness posture against future attacks. In 2004, JFNA created the 
Secure Community Network (SCN) and proposed and worked with Congress to 
create the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Both are 
now crucial pillars of safety and security in the Jewish community.
                        secure community network
    SCN serves as the central organization dedicated exclusively to the 
safety and security of the American Jewish community. It works in 
tandem with the Jewish Federations in organizing local Community 
Security Initiatives, led by experienced and trained local Community 
Security Directors, that are designed to create a comprehensive and 
best practices-based security plan for each of the synagogues and other 
Jewish institutions in their communities. SCN also partners with and 
serves as the community's formal liaison with Federal law enforcement, 
as well as with State and local law enforcement partners.
    SCN's security experts perform an extensive review of each 
community's security infrastructure and protocols, pinpoint areas of 
vulnerability, and offer detailed recommendations for enhancements. SCN 
also provides on-going, extensive, state-of-the-art training to the 
growing body of Community Security Directors to make sure that they are 
well-qualified, that they are working in coordination with local, 
State, and Federal law enforcement, and they are fully cognizant of new 
trends and developments that could put a community and its residents in 
imminent danger.
    Today, JFNA is working with SCN to extend an overarching, 
centralized, coordinated security umbrella over every Jewish community 
throughout the country through our LiveSecure campaign. It is our 
contribution to the public-private partnership for protecting 
communities by raising one of the largest privately-funded initiatives 
in our history. Unfortunately, even with this extensive fundraising, an 
additional infusion of significant governmental resources is necessary 
to achieve the level of security that we desperately need.
    Right now, the Jewish community has an umbrella that is filled with 
holes. Those seeking to do harm to Jews will target those communities 
that are under-resourced and under-prepared. It is critical that we 
have the funds to protect all members of the Jewish community, no 
matter where they live. FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
provides that essential public-private partnership to extend what we 
are already doing for ourselves and for what we expect will be growing 
interest in and demand for NSGP resources from other communities that 
are coping with their own threats.
                    nonprofit security grant program
    Administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, the NSGP program supports the acquisition 
and installation of physical target hardening measures such as access 
controls, barriers, blast-proofing, monitoring and surveillance 
capability, and cybersecurity enhancements. It supports preparedness 
and prevention planning, training, exercises, and contributes toward 
the needs for contracted security personnel. It also provides a 
critical foundation for the nonprofit sector to build relationships and 
partnerships with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies 
around the whole community approach to homeland security.
    The NSGP program is critically important; however, it is not 
without its challenges and need for improvement.
    Simply put, the program lacks sufficient annual appropriations.--In 
its 17 years, the program has supported more than 6,500 grants, but 
been unable to fund an additional 11,000 grant requests that were 
submitted. Congress has appropriated nearly $600 million in security 
investments, but that is a fraction of the nearly $1.5 billion in 
investments that have been requested. In the most recent fiscal year 
(2021), FEMA approved only about 45 percent of the more than 3,300 
applications it reviewed and was able to fund only $180 million in 
security investments out of the nearly $400 million that were sought.
Recommendation: Congress must stabilize NSGP funding at appropriate 
levels on an annual basis. And we have respectfully called on Congress 
to appropriate $360 million.
    The program lacks sufficient management and administrative 
support.--While the program has quadrupled in size since 2018 and is 
now the third-largest FEMA preparedness grant program by volume, FEMA 
and the State Administrative Agencies struggle to keep up with the 
necessary administrative oversight and infrastructure to carry out 
their duties to the program. They are over-extended and under-
resourced, which undermines the application review and oversight 
processes and challenges the capacity of FEMA and the SAAs workforce to 
coordinate the NSGP program in an efficient and effective way.
Recommendation: We support Congress allowing the NSGP Program Office 
located within FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate and the State 
Administrative Agencies to each withhold up to 5 percent of the NSGP 
awards to cover their management and administrative costs.
    The program lacks resources to assist nonprofits as they go through 
the complicated NSGP application process.--JFNA has worked for years to 
help address the challenges nonprofit agencies face in navigating the 
NSGP application process and partners with SCN to disseminate 
comprehensive written guidance, tools, and webinars to assist both the 
Jewish community and other communities with elevated risks. Still, more 
nonprofits need to learn about the program and have access to good 
resources and technical assistance to meaningfully participate in and 
benefit from the program. If they cannot navigate the process, they are 
unlikely to be successful in their application, or even apply at all.
Recommendation: We support Congress allowing the NSGP Program Office 
located within FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate to withhold up to 5 
percent of the NSGP awards to support outreach, education, and 
technical assist to nonprofits in applying for and implementing the 
program.
    Additionally, FEMA needs to be able to quickly provide viable 
application tools to the NSGP nonprofit sub-applicants to ease and 
streamline the application process. Under current Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) requirements, it can take years for FEMA to receive approval 
even to make basic changes to the NSGP application template (Investment 
Justification). This has become a major issue as the program has 
expanded to thousands of participants annually.
Recommendation: Congress should provide FEMA with a waiver of the PRA 
requirements for fiscal year 2022 and future years.
    The program lacks statutory authority to respond to today's 
increasingly complex, diffuse, and dynamic threat landscape. Just after 
the attack on Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, FBI Director 
Christopher Wray remarked that the Jewish community faces very real 
threats from across a complex spectrum of hate that includes home-grown 
violent extremists (often radicalized by Jihadist movements on-line), 
foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and Hezbollah, state-
sponsored groups like the government of Iran, and domestic violent 
extremists such as neo-Nazis and White supremacists. However, the 
statutes guiding DHS preparedness programs respond to ``risk of 
terrorist attack.'' This does not include hate- or grievance-based 
crimes, even as ethnically- and racially-motivated extremism is now 
surging. In fact, the Colleyville attack may be the first actual 
terrorist attack against a faith-based institution in the United 
States, based on what the statutes actually provide. Today's evolving 
threats require an NSGP program that is a measure against both 
terrorist and terroristic attacks. While FEMA has to a commendable 
extent applied flexibility in its interpretation and application of the 
law to NSGP, today's homeland security laws do not include domestic 
violent extremism as terrorism. The types of threats extend beyond the 
recourse of the NSGP program, and this needs to change.
Recommendation: Short of an unlikely change in statute, Congress should 
include appropriations report language allowing FEMA to include hate- 
and grievance based-crimes based on the ideology, belief, and mission 
of the applicant.
    Since we first addressed the Senate Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee in December 2001 on ``The Role 
Communities Play in Homeland Security,'' Congress has maintained strong 
bipartisan support to address the homeland security concerns of faith-
based organizations and the charitable sector. This has been especially 
true of the NSGP program, which has been described as an efficient and 
effective means to accomplish community-based security enhancement and 
preparedness through very modest resources. Only this past week, 174 
members of the House joined on a bipartisan letter to appropriations 
leaders, urging them to ensure strong funding to the Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 Homeland Security 
appropriations package. That is a remarkable level of support.
    For these reasons, we thank you for holding this hearing to discuss 
the implications of the dynamic terrorism landscape on the American 
Jewish Community and the importance of strengthening Federal support to 
make our institutions and the communities they serve more secure. I 
welcome any questions you may have.

    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you so much, Congressman 
Fingerhut, for your testimony. Now we will recognize Mr. 
Masters to summarize his statement for 5 minutes.

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL MASTERS, NATIONAL DIRECTOR AND CEO, SECURE 
                       COMMUNITY NETWORK

    Mr. Masters. Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman Slotkin, 
Ranking Member Cammack, Ranking Member Pfluger, Chairman 
Thompson, and Ranking Member Katko of the full committee, 
distinguished Members of the subcommittees, while the United 
States remains one of the safest places in the world for our 
community, we must make no mistake: America's Jewish community 
is under attack. Thank you all for taking action to stop it.
    I am Michael Masters, CEO and national director of the 
Secure Community Network, or SCN. It is an honor to appear 
before you again.
    SCN is the official safety and security organization of the 
Jewish community in North America. We work on behalf of and 
with the Jewish Federations of North America and my colleague, 
Eric Fingerhut, under his leadership, and the Conference of 
Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, collectively 
representing over 90 percent of the Jewish community across 
North America.
    SCN's the Jewish community's official liaison with Federal 
law enforcement, notably the FBI and DHS. Every day we are 
sharing intelligence with law enforcement and community 
partners, developing best practice safety policies, undertaking 
facility assessments, conducting life-saving training, and 
responding to incidents. We have worked with Jewish 
organizations in each and every one of your home States.
    To help us protect Jewish lives and those of all faiths we 
are counting on all of you to support the funding desperately 
needed to help protect our community. It is critical for your 
subcommittees to understand that August 22, 2021, was a day 
that helped to save lives. That was the day that SCN worked 
with the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth in Tarrant County to 
lead a training at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, 
Texas. SCN worked with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and 
congregants on how to recognize suspicious behavior and what to 
do during an active threat situation.
    Let me just say how honored I am, how moved I am to be 
participating in this hearing with Rabbi Charlie. We teach 
people in our trainings to commit to action. This is what the 
rabbi and other hostages did on that horrendous day.
    Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement and the work that 
we did at SCN with the community, made possible by the 
Federation and its system, but, most importantly, the actions 
of the rabbi and other hostages, we are able to talk today 
about what we know saves lives.
    Our job at SCN is to secure our communities so that the 
Jewish people can pray, celebrate, and gather in safety. SCN is 
a nonprofit organization. We are not volunteers or private 
contractors. We are security professionals whose full-time job 
is to serve the community. I personally served in multiple law 
enforcement and homeland security roles: A police officer 
trained in special weapons and tactics and a commissioned 
officer in the United States Marine Corps.
    As a security expert, informed by my personal experience, I 
can attest without equivocation that FEMA's Nonprofit Security 
Grant Program, or NSGP, has placed the faith-based community in 
a better position to stay alive. The NSGP grants that you vote 
to fund provide bulletproof doors, shatterproof glass, secure 
entry systems, and so much more, like some of the cameras that 
were used by law enforcement on January 15.
    Thanks to recent changes it is now protecting more 
communities, places like Charleston and Charlottesville. NSGP 
funds can now be used to support training, just like the 
training that SCN provided in Colleyville. As we have heard, 
the training can literally be the difference between life and 
death.
    All of this means that more Americans of all faiths can 
worship and gather in peace. We need to expand these efforts 
and opportunities.
    The Jewish liturgy teaches us to welcome the stranger, as 
Rabbi Charlie noted. We have to ensure that our institutions 
remain open and welcoming, balancing the diverse needs and 
diversity of our community, while being safe and secure. 
Comprehensive best practice approaches to security allow for 
that.
    The NSGP is a vital part of our efforts at SCN and our 
Federation system, supporting our work and our open, free 
practice of religion. We know the demand for NSGP funds far 
outpaces what is available. Any additional fund Congress 
appropriates will allow us to protect more institutions and 
communities, and this is critical.
    As we have heard, the Jewish community is the No. 1 target 
of religiously-motivated hate crimes in the United States. The 
National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued yesterday by 
DHS, referenced by Chairwoman Slotkin, highlights the continued 
threat environment across our country. It specifically 
references the on-going calls for violence directed at soft 
targets, mass gatherings, and faith-based institutions to 
include churches, synagogues, and mosques.
    We see the reality of this in our work at SCN every day. In 
2021, SCN's Jewish Security Operations Command Center, or 
JSOCC, took in over 11,000 incident requests and reports of 
threats. We referred hundreds of items to law enforcement.
    The attack on January 15 in Colleyville was just the latest 
example of the threat that our community faces and it is a 
stark reminder, also, of why this hearing is so important. We 
learned from Talmud we don't rely on miracles. But as 
Chairwoman Slotkin noted, we are not powerless.
    Last year, SCN trained over 17,000 members of the Jewish 
community. In just the last 4 weeks, we have trained over 
12,000.
    There is a lesson to be learned from Colleyville. We will 
not choose the time and place of the next incident, but we can 
choose our preparations. Thankfully, as Rabbi Charlie noted, 
Congregation Beth Israel worked long and hard to prepare, but 
there are too many facilities and too many members of our 
community who have not yet been reached.
    Every Jewish facility in America has to be prepared. Every 
member of our faith-based community must be trained. Our 
efforts must be professional, specific, and on-going, just like 
we do with fire drills. This is what the Jewish community, led 
by JFNA as Eric Fingerhut and I have outlined, and SCN are 
working to do.
    We are not doing the work alone. Congress plays a critical 
role by funding the NSGP.
    In closing, no one in this country should ever question 
whether it is safe to walk into a religious institution. I 
quote Ranking Member Pfluger, an attack on any religious 
institution is an attack on all of us.
    The NSGP has assisted in mitigating the threat, but there 
is a lot more work to do and we don't have time to lose. 
Several weeks ago, we saw the impact. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-
Walker and his congregants showed us by example the difference 
committing to action can make. Let us honor them and their 
efforts by being as committed.
    Thank you for inviting me to testify. I am happy to take 
your questions.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Masters follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Michael G. Masters
                       Tuesday, 08 February 2022
                                overview
    Chairwoman Demings, Chairwoman Slotkin, Ranking Member Cammack, 
Ranking Member Pfluger, distinguished Members of the subcommittees: 
America's Jewish community is under attack. Thank you for taking action 
to stop it.
    I am Michael Masters, CEO and national director of the Secure 
Community Network, or SCN. It is an honor to appear before you to 
participate in this hearing.
    SCN is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish 
community in North America. I have spent close to 20 years serving in 
the military, law enforcement, and homeland security. Today, I dedicate 
myself to serving and protecting the Jewish community.
    It is a community that is under threat.
    To help us protect Jewish lives, and those of all faiths, we are 
counting on you--the Members of these 2 subcommittees--to support the 
funding desperately needed to prevent further assaults and to train 
people on what to do in case of an attack.
    Without you, the faith-based community would be in even greater 
danger.
    SCN works on behalf of and with The Jewish Federations of North 
America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish 
Organizations, covering over 50 national non-profit organizations,\1\ 
146 Jewish Federations, and over 300 independent Jewish communities,\2\ 
collectively representing over 90 percent of the Jewish community 
across North America. We have addressed threats impacting, worked in, 
and responded to incidents in many of your Congressional districts, 
including across Florida, Michigan, and--of course--Texas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ ``Member Organizations,'' Conference of Presidents of Major 
American Jewish Organizations, accessed January 6, 2020, https://
www.conferenceofpresidents.org/about/members.
    \2\ ``About The Jewish Federations of North America,'' The Jewish 
Federations of North America, accessed January 6, 2020, https://
jewishfederations.org/about-jfna.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    We are the Jewish community's official liaison with Federal law 
enforcement, particularly the FBI and DHS. Every day, our team is 
sharing intelligence and information with local, State, and Federal law 
enforcement and community partners, developing and helping Jewish 
community institutions implement best practice safety policies, 
providing assessments of Jewish facilities, consulting on physical 
security measures, conducting life-saving training and exercises, and--
unfortunately--responding to incidents.
    It is critical for your subcommittees to understand that August 22, 
2021, was a day that helped save lives.
    That was the day that SCN worked with the Jewish Federation of Fort 
Worth & Tarrant County to lead a training exercise at Congregation Beth 
Israel in Colleyville, Texas. It was attended by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-
Walker and 21 congregants.
    SCN worked with the Rabbi and congregants on how to recognize 
suspicious behavior and activity, as well as what to do during an 
active threat situation: To ``Commit to Action.''
    While we provided the training, the Rabbi and other members of the 
congregation did the hard work, particularly on January 15.
    Let me just say how honored I am--how moved I am--to be 
participating in this hearing with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. We 
teach people in our trainings to Commit to Action. This is what the 
Rabbi and other hostages did throughout that horrendous day, and 
certainly when he and the other two hostages positioned themselves near 
a door, and when he threw a chair at the terrorist who had taken them 
hostage--providing critical moments to escape.
    Thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, the work that 
we at SCN did with the community, but, most importantly, the actions of 
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the other hostages--their calm, 
courageous, and coordinated efforts--we are able to talk today about 
what we know works. What we know saves lives. This is what SCN is 
teaching around the country.
    Our job is to secure our community so that the Jewish people can 
pray, celebrate, and gather in safety.
    SCN is a nonprofit organization supported by a network of generous 
private donors and partners. Our team of former intelligence, law 
enforcement, security, and military personnel are not volunteers or 
private contractors. We are security professionals whose full-time job 
is to serve the Jewish community--supporting communities around the 
country and through our Federation system as well as with National 
partners.
    I have personally served in several law enforcement and homeland 
security roles: A police officer trained in special weapons and tactics 
and a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. I 
previously served as the chief of staff of the Chicago Police 
Department and as the executive director of the Department of Homeland 
Security for Cook County, Illinois. I previously served as the co-chair 
of the Secretary of DHS's Non-disaster Preparedness Grant Review Task 
Force.
    As a security expert informed by my personal experience, I can 
attest--without equivocation--that FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program, or NSGP, has placed the nonprofit, faith-based community in a 
better position to stay alive. The NSGP grants that you vote to fund 
every year provide bulletproof doors, shatterproof glass, secure entry 
systems, panic buttons, and so much more. You also help make the 
delivery of our life-saving training programs possible.
    This means that more Americans--regardless of faith--can worship 
and gather in peace.
    Security in our houses of worship is critical not just for the 
physical protection of the faith community but also for the very 
preservation of religious freedom in this Nation. We all must feel safe 
to freely exercise our faith.
    The Jewish liturgy teaches us to welcome the stranger. We know, 
given current conditions, that we must do that in a manner which is 
also safe and secure, balancing the diverse needs--and diversity--of 
our community. We must ensure that our faith institutions remain open 
and welcoming, while being safe and secure, from our schools and senior 
centers to our camps, community centers, and college campuses.
    We do not want the United States to become--like too many 
countries--a location where our faith institutions look like military 
fortresses. To put it simply, that is not who we are as Americans, nor 
should we allow it to be.
    Comprehensive, best practice approaches to security--like those SCN 
implements with Jewish Federations and other partners across the 
country--allow for that. The NSGP is a vital part of our efforts, 
supporting our work and the open, free practice of religion in this 
society. We know the demand for NSGP funds far outpaces available 
funds. Any additional funds Congress decides to appropriate will enable 
the good work that is already being done to reach more communities.
                             threat picture
    In coordination with our partners in local, State, and Federal law 
enforcement, we assess that the threats facing the Jewish community are 
more complex and dynamic than at any other time in the Nation's 
history. At their core, they derive from an evil that is thousands of 
years old: Anti-Semitism.
    The Jewish community not only remains the No. 1 target of 
religiously-motivated hate crimes, but we have seen a rise in these 
events to near-historic levels, as well as increases in anti-Semitic 
incidents across the Nation.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\ ``Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents: Year in Review 2018,'' The 
Anti-Defamation League, accessed January 6, 2020, https://www.adl.org/
audit2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The number of U.S. domestic terrorism cases under investigation by 
the FBI more than doubled in 2021 from the year prior, with the FBI 
having roughly 2,700 open domestic terrorism investigations. To meet 
the evolving threat, the FBI has surged resources, increasing personnel 
working on these issues by 260 percent.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\ Wolfe, Jan, ``U.S. domestic terrorism investigations have more 
than doubled--FBI director,'' Reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/
legal/government/us-domestic-terrorism-investigations-have-more-than-
doubled-fbi-director-2021-09-21/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    As law enforcement has increased its efforts, in this environment, 
we must do all we can to ensure that our institutions and communities 
of faith are protected.
    We see that in our work at SCN every day.
    During 2021, SCN's Duty Desk, which is staffed by a team of 
intelligence analysts and is part of our National Jewish Security 
Operations Command Center, or JSOCC, took in over 11,000 incidents, 
requests, and reports--ranging from suspicious individuals to threats. 
We referred hundreds of items to local, State, and Federal law 
enforcement, to include 79 referrals to the FBI.
    Just in the last week, our JSOCC identified two individuals who 
were threatening to attack synagogues, and kill Jews. Both leads were 
immediately passed to law enforcement. This is going on every hour of 
every day. SCN is constantly receiving and quickly sharing threat 
information with our partners in law enforcement for their analysis and 
action.
    The attack on January 15 in Colleyville, Texas was just the latest 
example of the threat that our community faces. But it was also the 
latest example that we know how to improve the safety of congregants, 
and a stark reminder of why this hearing is so important.
                         addressing the threats
    Safety and security are priorities for the Jewish community. To 
address this, SCN was created to work on behalf of the Jewish 
community. We are working to build a protective, proactive shield over 
the North American Jewish community, in coordination with local 
Federations and our National partners. We ensure that solutions are 
tailored to each community or partner and rooted in consistent best 
practices across the community.
    We learn from the Talmud, we don't rely on miracles. We hope for 
them, we pray for them, but we don't rely on them.
    We are not powerless.
    Last year, SCN trained over 17,000 members of the Jewish 
community--two of whom were Rabbi Cytron-Walker and one of the other 
hostages. The training in Colleyville--from its development to our 
delivery--occurred because we came together--SCN, the Jewish 
Federation, local law enforcement, and--most importantly--the 
community, to prepare. We--collectively--committed to action.
    Our work did not occur just on one day, either. The training on 
August 22 was one of a series that SCN provided to organizations in 
Tarrant County, and part of our efforts that also included assessments 
of synagogues and consultation on physical security.
    There is a lesson to be learned from Colleyville.
    While we will not choose the time and place of the next incident, 
we can choose our preparation.
    This is what the members of that community did. It is what the 
Rabbi and his congregants did, and they are alive today.
    Every Jewish facility in America must be trained. Every member of 
our community must be trained. This is true for the entirety of the 
faith community in America. But not just any training will do. The 
training must be professional. It must be detailed. It must be on-
going. Just like we do with fire safety in our schools and workplaces.
    Thankfully, SCN and others, to include law enforcement, conducted 
training at Congregation Beth Israel, but there are too many facilities 
and too many members of our community who have not yet been reached. We 
want to make our life-saving trainings available to every member of the 
Jewish community in North America.
    This is a priority for our community, and we purposefully work to 
extend that shield to every community, and to enhance those communities 
with existing security--most notably through a collaboration led by The 
Jewish Federations of North America and supported by SCN.
    But we are not doing the work alone. In addition to the on-going 
and committed support that we receive from law enforcement at all 
levels--with special recognition to the FBI and our public safety 
partners at DHS--Congress plays a critical role by funding FEMA's 
Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
    We are thankful to each of you for your support of the work we are 
doing. We need each of you . . . and the multi-faith community needs 
your support now more than ever.
         impact of the non-profit security grant program (nsgp)
    When SCN creates a Community Security Initiative in a community, 
most often in partnership with the Jewish Federation, we implement a 
comprehensive, strategic security framework. As a result, we see a 400 
percent increase in the number of assessments done for our community. 
These are assessments done by security professionals with backgrounds 
in law enforcement, and they are supported by our team at SCN.
    These assessments are used by the local organizations to inform 
their application for NSGP funds. Working with the community, SCN's 
approach has resulted in a 36 percent increase in the number of 
successful NSGP applicants in the first year of a Community Security 
Initiative.
    NSGP funding has made our community more safe and secure. It has 
placed electronic locks on exterior doors of Jewish community centers, 
panic buttons in school classrooms, and cameras on synagogues--to 
include at least one of the cameras that was operating at Congregation 
Beth Israel in Colleyville, which provided vital information to law 
enforcement during the incident.
    It also ensures that all of our institutions--from Charlottesville 
to Colleyville--can avail themselves of security best practices, 
including verified physical security solutions.
    Each week, we work with communities and law enforcement around the 
country as they deal with suspicious individuals attempting to gain 
access to facilities, vandals defacing houses of worship with symbols 
of hate, and bomb threats to community centers.
    In each of these cases, equipment like that which is made possible 
by the NSGP protects our community.
    NSGP funding is now protecting more communities in more places. 
Recent changes to the program allow organizations in non-urban areas to 
take better advantage of the program. This was critically important, as 
the threat picture facing our country has changed. We see that from 
attacks in Overland Park, Kansas and Charlottesville, Virginia, to 
Charleston, South Carolina, and Colleyville, Texas.
    NSGP funds can now be used to support planning, exercises, and 
training for everyday community members--just like the training SCN 
provided in Colleyville. Training that can help save lives. For 
organizations that could not independently support such training this 
can literally be the difference between life and death.
    Every day we are working to build relationships between our 
community and law enforcement. The NSGP is a component of this, 
fostering critical cooperation and engagement.
    Finally, and importantly, I am deeply appreciative of your efforts 
to increase funds for this program. We are pleased that Congress 
increased the funding to $180 million from $90 million last year. Yet 
despite the increase, I understand that requests for NSGP funding from 
organizations around the country approached $400 million last year. To 
meet the need, Congress needs to consider further substantial increases 
in appropriations.
                                closing
    From attacks in Pittsburgh and Poway to Charlottesville and 
Colleyville, the Jewish way of life in the United States of America is 
under attack.
    In each of these attacks, SCN's team was responding.
    What is required is a whole-community response, including 
professional security assessments, validated best practices, and 
training. An attack on any religious institution in this country--
regardless of size, location, or affiliation--is an attack on all of 
us.
    No one in this country should ever question whether it is safe to 
walk into a religious institution.
    The NSGP and related efforts have assisted in reducing the threat 
and providing peace of mind. But there is much more work to do, and we 
do not have time to lose.
    Several weeks ago, we saw the impact: We see it here today in Rabbi 
Charlie Cytron-Walker's presence. He and his congregants remained calm. 
They committed to action. They have shown us by example the difference 
it can make. Let us honor them and their efforts by being as committed.
    Thank you for inviting me to testify today, and thank you for your 
bipartisan recognition of the importance of improving security and 
preparedness of the Jewish community. I am happy to take your 
questions.

    Chairwoman Demings. I want to thank Mr. Masters for his 
testimony, and all of our witnesses. I will remind the 
subcommittees that we will each have 5 minutes for questions 
from the panel. Also, one of our witnesses has a hard stop at 
noon, and so we want to be cognizant of that and get to each 
Member that is on the call.
    I will recognize myself for 5 minutes or less.
    Rabbi Konikov, recently, as we have already discussed, we 
have seen the rise in anti-Semitism on display in Florida. We 
have talked about the demonstration from the neo-Nazis in the 
place where you and I both call home.
    Could you just give me kind-of a quick overview of your 
views on the current threat environment? We know what we saw. 
This is 2 weeks ago, but what are your views on the current 
threat environment?
    Rabbi Konikov. Well, you know, I will tell you. There are, 
in my opinion, there are people that, unfortunately, have 
hateful views. Sometimes some of these groups that come out and 
make statements and do demonstrations in the streets, it 
actually brings out or brings to the surface some of those we 
will call them crazies or hateful people, and that increases 
the danger.
    We happened to see when that group was in front of our 
Center, they had a sign that said, ``If you agree with us, honk 
your horn.'' That was very disturbing to me. You know, thank 
God most people didn't honk their horn. But every once in a 
while, there was a horn being honked, which was very, very, 
very disturbing.
    So, they want to bring out other people to follow them. I 
think that each event that occurs in the United States, it 
increases the danger, unfortunately.
    Chairwoman Demings. Again, Rabbi, thank you so much for 
being with us. I am now going to recognize the Ranking Member 
of the subcommittee, the gentlewoman from Florida, Mrs. 
Cammack, for questions.
    Mrs. Cammack. Thank you, Chairwoman Demings. A couple of 
questions for Congressman Fingerhut.
    You had previously stated that in the wake of the Tree of 
Life shooting that, ``the pace at which you were building up a 
security network wasn't fast enough.'' Now, how has that 
mission changed since 2018 and your comments then? 
Specifically, has FEMA taken steps to improve the outreach to 
the faith community? What suggestions can you make specifically 
to outreach?
    Mr. Fingerhut. Well, thank you, Congresswoman Cammack, for 
that question. There is no question that the Tree of Life 
shootings in Pittsburgh were the Jewish community's 9/11. I 
mean, it is the most horrific incident in the history of this 
country. We both have to fight--we have to do what the United 
States did after 9/11, we have to build out a comprehensive 
system of homeland security that really fundamentally changes 
the way we protect every single institution of Jewish life.
    We were already well under way in building local community 
security initiatives through every Federation. The Federation 
works with SCN to develop a security plan for the entire 
community that includes every institution, every synagogue, 
every JCC, every human services agency, every day camp, every 
Hillel, you know, and every Chabad in those communities. Then 
we work with the Federations to raise the funds necessary to 
build out that security.
    The more professional they are, the more successful they 
are in applying for Nonprofit Security Grants because these 
grants require a lot of expertise that are necessary. Together 
with our partners at SCN, we have helped local communities with 
that expertise to be able to apply for the grants. We have also 
been very happy to and have been successful in helping other 
faiths and communities with that expertise as well.
    However, as I mentioned in my written testimony more 
extensively, and I appreciate the chance to elaborate, the 
State authorities who administer these grants and FEMA itself 
lack the resources to themselves provide the help to the 
nonprofits and faith-based institutions. As I mentioned in my 
summary testimony, we are talking about, you know, close to 
half a million faith-based institutions in this country and 
well over a million nonprofit institutions. If everybody, as 
they wake up to this growing, were to apply, the system would 
be completely overwhelmed.
    We strongly urge that--I would strongly urge that as part 
of the action that this committee recommends and the full 
Congress would take would be to authorize additional funding 
within FEMA to be able to assist nonprofits and faith-based 
institutions in the application process. Certainly Rabbi 
Cytron-Walker spoke, you know, eloquently about the impact on 
small synagogues and small communities. That could be done by 
allowing them to utilize some of the funding, additional 
funding, that is allocated for this purpose. So, it would be a 
very beneficial improvement to the program.
    Mrs. Cammack. Thank you. As a follow-up to that, what, in 
your opinion, could FEMA be doing specifically with outreach to 
these faith-based institutions for getting the word out about 
this? I spoke with several within my own district who were 
unaware that the program even existed.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Absolutely, Representative. It is an 
excellent point.
    FEMA, again, if they were given the resources, they could 
be doing much more to communicate directly out into the 
communities. But as well, I want to suggest that we in the 
Jewish Federations system, this is what we exist to do. Every 
community has a Federation that is in touch with every 
synagogue and every institution. Of course, other faiths have 
similar networks and umbrella organizations that are in touch 
with each of their churches, either of their mosques, either of 
their centers.
    We are already working with FEMA and with the State 
authorities, but we would welcome the opportunity to work more 
closely, also, of course, with our partners in the Secure 
Community Network, which is this is part of what they do on our 
behalf, you know, in the communities to reach out directly to 
more and more communities. It is an area of public-private 
partnerships.
    Of course, as you know, these faith institutions are 
connected to each other. We are connected together through our 
Jewish Federations and through other networks. We would welcome 
the chance to partner more extensively with FEMA if they have 
the resources and support to do that.
    Mrs. Cammack. Excellent. I appreciate your commentary and 
thank you, again, to all our witnesses. With that, Chairwoman 
Demings, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you. The Ranking Member yields 
back. The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan, 
Ms. Slotkin, for questions.
    Chairwoman Slotkin. Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate 
it. I guess my question is for Rabbi Charlie.
    You know, we have talked about the recommendations you have 
on helping smaller communities write these grants or make the 
form more streamlined; of sort-of the special problems around 
getting smaller communities the security that they need. I know 
the staff are here busy taking notes and I would propose, Madam 
Chair, that we work on some sort of comprehensive piece of 
legislation that does these fixes to these programs which we 
know are good things, but have things that are sort-of holding 
our smaller communities back.
    Rabbi, tell us some other things that you think we should 
be paying attention to when it comes to modifying some of these 
homeland security opportunities for security.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. With regard to smaller congregations, 
I think one of the most important things is to listen, right, 
to hear what my reality is like on a Shabbat morning; to talk 
with small churches, small mosques, small temples from 
throughout the diversity of what exists within our religious 
landscape, and to really hear just how different it is when you 
have a smaller number of people showing up, where you don't 
necessarily have the funds to do everything that you would 
want. You don't necessarily have the bandwidth to really be 
intentional about all of the processes when the greatest debate 
within the synagogue or within the community has to do with, 
you know, the food being served or how are we going to get 
enough volunteers to have this celebration? It is a really, 
really hard thing to have a dedicated group of volunteers 
focused on security issues that may never happen, but that we 
all need to be prepared for.
    So, understanding some of those realities and for Congress 
to really be able to seek out that information, I think, would 
be incredibly, incredibly valuable, so that the program can be 
tailored to do what you want it to do. Meet the needs of 
smaller communities, meet the needs of so many throughout this 
Nation that want nothing more than to feel a sense of safety 
and security.
    Chairwoman Slotkin. Thank you for that. I think we will 
certainly come back to you as we try to shore up and improve 
the good programs we already have on the books.
    For Congressman Fingerhut and Mr. Masters, you know, I 
think we are focused on this surge in hate crimes, particularly 
anti-Semitic incidents, over the past few years. We have seen 
this surge in conspiracy theories and sort-of deep-seated 
prejudice come back out.
    We have this National bulletin that DHS just put out. Can 
you speak to the ways in which the convergence of anti-Semitism 
and extremist ideology and conspiracy theories are sort-of 
playing out in increasing threats to the Jewish community?
    Mr. Fingerhut. Thank you. I will suggest that Mr. Masters 
start and then I can add to what he says.
    Mr. Masters. Thank you and thank you for the question, 
Chairwoman. This goes back to your opening statement, what we 
continue to see is the proliferation of what we are referring 
to more and more as sort-of salad bar terrorism, where these 
conspiracy theories and on-line tropes, misinformation, 
disinformation, malinformation are metastasizing in people. So, 
literally, they are finding this salad bar of ideas that they 
can go to, and it is having resonance with them.
    Our team of intelligence analysts in our JSOCC, this is why 
we are referring incidents, individuals, and threats to law 
enforcement, local, State, and Federal, in partnership with our 
communities every single day. I want to highlight the 
partnership particularly with the FBI and the strong proactive 
stance that they have taken under Director Wray.
    But it is creating a hodgepodge where literally someone can 
find anything that appeals to them. That is why we assess with 
Federal law enforcement that we are in the most complex and 
dynamic threat environment of any point in the Nation's 
history. It makes it very, very difficult for you to pinpoint 
one aspect or one thing.
    So, we saw that in the offender in Colleyville where he 
believed that there was--by going to the Jewish community that 
there was innate power there that would allow for him to secure 
the freedom of a convicted terrorist. We saw across his 
ideology, and we see this quite commonly with other people, 
whether they are White supremacists, neo-Nazis.
    I think one thing that we have to remember, particularly 
with respect to physical target hardening now, it doesn't 
matter the ideology that is coming through the door. I mean, it 
wouldn't have mattered so much. There is an academic discussion 
on anti-Semitism. We are all trying to confront it. It is, you 
know, well over 3,000 years old.
    But when we are talking about the safety and security of 
the people who are looking to worship and pray in safety in our 
country, the ideology of the person that is trying to get in is 
somewhat irrelevant. We need to make sure that the door is 
locked and that the members of our community are alive to have 
that discussion. That is really very important.
    If I can go back to your former question very briefly, on a 
key thing that we see with the NSGP that can help that for 
smaller congregations specifically, is ensuring that the State 
administrative agencies deal with this program equitably. So, 
if I look just at the State of Texas, where Rabbi Charlie is, 
last year the Notice of Funding Opportunity from DHS was 
released on 25 February. The State of Texas announced their 
program on the 14th of January, a full 6 weeks before DHS had 
even released the updated Funding Opportunity, and the State of 
Texas closed the Funding Opportunity, their application, less 
than 4 weeks later. So, people only had 4 weeks to complete the 
application and that means that for particularly smaller, 
underserved, unserved, less-funded institutions, it creates an 
even bigger burden on them that is disparately impactful when 
you have other States where an institution may have 2 months. 
That is something that I think we could address right away that 
would help the security and help our congregations.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentlewoman's time has expired. The 
Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Pfluger, for 
5 minutes.
    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Chairwoman. Appreciate, again, the 
opportunity to talk about this.
    I will keep my question really focused because I think it 
is important not just for this issue, but for so many other 
issues that we see. It really comes down to information sharing 
between the local, State, and Federal level. Regardless of the 
issue that we are facing, I think that really is kind-of the 
key to making sure that we can identify, detect, and prevent 
bad things from happening.
    In the case of this, Mr. Masters, I will kind-of start with 
you. I mean, you know, when it comes to the Secure Community 
Network, let me just hone in and get very specific. I mean, 
where is it working? Honestly, more importantly, what can we do 
better and what needs to be done better?
    Mr. Masters. Well, I think, as my colleague, Congressman 
Fingerhut, pointed out, we had worked in the Jewish community 
to take a post-9/11 approach to this with coordinated 
information sharing. Where we see things working very well, and 
I mentioned that we take 11,000 incidents and reports into our 
JSOCC every year, we have incredible connectivity with Federal 
law enforcement specifically and many State and local law 
enforcement agencies around the entire country. We need to 
encourage that intelligence and information sharing.
    We need to be able to identify when individuals are on 
these platforms and refer them effectively to law enforcement. 
Where we have, as Congressman Fingerhut mentioned, roughly 50 
professional security programs in our communities, where we 
have former members of law enforcement working on behalf of the 
community, we see a 78 percent increase in incident reporting. 
They are identifying the threats. They are able to coordinate 
with law enforcement. They are able to coordinate with the 
community.
    What we need to do and what we are working to do as a 
community, particularly led by JFNA and SCN, is enhance that 
security shield over the whole community so that we have 
professionals that are good partners to law enforcement.
    On the law enforcement side, very briefly, we need to make 
sure that our fusion centers are communicating effectively the 
threats to State and local law enforcement. They are reporting 
those up effectively to the National Threat Operations Center 
at the FBI and to our partners and colleagues at DHS, and make 
sure that that is seamless.
    These bad actors are often--they are moving faster than the 
intel. We need to close that cycle and make our apparatus move 
as quickly as they are.
    Mr. Pfluger. Let me just follow up really quickly. I mean, 
are there areas throughout the United States where you are 
seeing a lack of support at the local level? When there is 
information that is being pushed down, where we could be taking 
action, we could be identifying these threats, and yet we are 
not seeing that support at the local level?
    Mr. Masters. I think that we have built phenomenal 
relationships with law enforcement. You need to make friends 
before you need them in this business. If you are introducing 
yourself to one another at a critical incident, you have 
probably failed. I think that we have done well on that.
    One thing that I think is critical that we enhance is the 
hate crime reporting. To go back to the statistics that 
Chairwoman Slotkin mentioned, you know, or it may have been 
Ranking Member Cammack, when we have roughly 1,100 religiously-
based hate crimes in this country, we know that is not a 
reality. When we create a security program at a Federation, we 
see that incident reporting going up 78 percent.
    We need to make sure that we are promoting and pushing law 
enforcement agencies to identify, report, and then for 
prosecutorial agencies to prosecute hate crimes. We still have, 
you know, the vast majority of communities, law enforcement 
agencies in this country report zero hate crimes. The rabbis, 
Congressman Fingerhut, and I will tell you from working in the 
communities that is just not a reality and it needs to be 
corrected.
    Mr. Pfluger. Well, thank you for that. I think this 
underscores the need to have prosecutorial action to hold the 
law that we do have, the laws that are the law of the land as 
the standard. Hate crimes are unacceptable in any form or 
fashion. I think this hearing clearly identifies that and 
clearly brings this issue up, but we must uphold the laws and 
it is not OK to pick and choose which ones we are going to 
follow and which ones we are not.
    So, I very much appreciate this hearing. With that, Madam 
Chair, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman yields back. I will now 
recognize Members in order of seniority, alternating between 
Majority and Minority and alternating between the two 
subcommittees. The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee, for 5 minutes.
    Ms. Jackson Lee, are you unmuted? We will come back to you.
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks, the gentlewoman from Iowa, for 5 
minutes.
    The Chair will now recognize the gentleman from New Jersey, 
Mr. Payne, for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Payne. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for 
holding this very timely hearing.
    You know, this has been an issue that has concerned me a 
great deal prior years on this committee. The Chairman, 
Chairman Thompson, of the overall committee, has done a 
tremendous job in continuing the efforts to secure funding 
around these grant programs. I was honored to travel with him 
to Pittsburgh after the Tree of Life incident and speak to the 
rabbi and survivors of that horrible, horrible day. I also had 
tragedy in my district, in Jersey City, at a store where 
several people were killed. It is just an intolerable situation 
around the anti-Semitism that we must curtail. So, I commend 
you for keeping this in the forefront.
    I will just hasten my questions as we have a large group to 
speak today. This is for anyone that wants to answer.
    You know, virulent anti-Semitism content is too easily 
shared on-line, often via social media. How has social media 
been used to target your communities, either individually or 
via larger conspiracies, that has spread on-line?
    Mr. Fingerhut. Representative Payne, I will start and I 
think probably my colleague, Mr. Masters, would have best 
detailed knowledge of the situation. But I want to say that we 
are deeply aware that what is happening on-line is connecting 
potential attackers in any place to the information and the 
incitement and the radicalization that is coming from all over 
the world. That makes every community a place of risk and every 
faith-based institution a potential target precisely because of 
the issue that you are so insightfully raising.
    There is no place that is immune to this danger precisely 
because of the threats on-line. I have to say that you have 
raised and other Members of the distinguished committee have 
raised that the growing threats of anti-Semitism on-line and 
the wide range of issues that are being conflated together, all 
of which have anti-Semitism under it, is the reason why we need 
to be protecting every single institution in every community.
    As I have already mentioned, our partnership with SCN is 
working, the Jewish Federations is working to build out the 
professional security system in every single Jewish community. 
Then that will enable us to work more closely with FEMA on the 
Nonprofit Security Grant Program if they are given sufficient 
resources, both for the grants and for the administration of 
the program. We simply must recognize that the point you have 
raised is the telling point and why every single community 
could be victim.
    Last, I will add, and then, again, maybe Mr. Masters would 
choose to add to this because he is an expert about what is 
happening on-line, is that we also need to enable FEMA to use 
these grants in the broadest range of possible topics, the 
broadest definition of terrorism, the broadest attack, 
definition of risk. Currently, the definition is relatively 
narrow. We strongly encourage the committee to consider 
including report language or additional legislative language 
that would enable FEMA to recognize that these threats are 
coming from every possible subject matter and ideology 
available.
    Mr. Payne. Thank you.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Perhaps Mr. Masters has more to add.
    Mr. Masters. Thank you. I would add, you know, if we look 
back at the trajectory, right, if you go back to, for instance, 
the Iranian revolution in the 1970's and 1980's and the use of 
audiotapes to build support for the Islamist movement; and then 
we think about al-Qaeda and the publishing of fatwahs and 
statements from bin Laden, the transition to Anwar al-Aulaqi 
and videotapes; and then more recently, right, this trajectory 
where the so-called Islamic State then moved into really slick 
video programming, right, the advertisements and so on. I think 
that is a blueprint.
    Now they are able to get on social media. Frankly, not 
enough was done quickly enough or aggressively enough or 
comprehensively enough to de-platform these individuals. Then 
when the threat--you know, we have seen it with White 
supremacists and neo-Nazis, similar issues of removing them off 
the platforms.
    Then the other issue, when you take them off, they often 
move to an encrypted spaces or harder-to-get-to spaces. So, it 
becomes a really perplexing problem.
    We are seeing the transition now to gaming spaces, gaming 
platforms, and gaming-adjacent platforms, where people are 
playing videos as Hamas operatives who are destroying 
synagogues, blowing up synagogues. That is the video game. Or 
active-shooter video games where someone is going into a school 
and pretending to kill nursery school-aged children.
    So, this is really a pervasive problem. As fast as we may 
try to counter it, the reality is that the people, the bad 
actors are moving quickly, which means we need to really look, 
in my opinion, at a solution which engages the private sector 
and is honest. These are not Government spaces. This is not a 
free speech argument. These are private companies that are 
making money and we need to take an aggressive stand to ensure 
that the way they make money doesn't justify people being 
victimized, harassed, or justify the killing of individual 
innocents in this society.
    Mr. Payne. Well, I agree with you wholeheartedly. We will 
continue the efforts here on this committee to show the 
leadership that we need in this Nation to curtail this type of 
activity.
    With that, Madam Chair, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman's time has expired. The 
Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Higgins, 
for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Higgins. I thank my friend and colleague, Chairwomen 
Demings and Slotkin, and I think the Ranking Members Cammack 
and Pfluger for holding this hearing today.
    Ensuring that our homeland is secure and our Jewish 
brothers and sisters are safe is vital to our Nation's success 
and our foreign relations. While the concerns being discussed 
here today will no doubt require more thoughtful and deliberate 
discussions, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a great 
example of providing both resources and training in case of a 
physical or impending threat. As a former law enforcement 
officer, a 12-year SWAT operator, I am very familiar with the 
fact that every second counts.
    Shifting to the attack in Colleyville, it shouldn't have 
happened in the first place. Despite an extensive record of 
criminal behavior and a radical history, the suspect was 
permitted to travel to the United States and freely within our 
homeland.
    So, as a foundational principle and, you know, Biblically, 
Scripture says that the Nation that stands against Israel 
stands against itself. May I say that that very simple truth 
must permeate the Homeland Security policies and procedures and 
our determination to maintain law and order within our Nation.
    We are a Nation of immigrants, yes, legal immigrants. But 
we are first a Nation of law and order. We just safeguard the 
homeland and confirm that those who come here are not intending 
harm to our Nation. Without sovereignty and secure legal entry 
processes, our communities are at risk and recent attacks prove 
that.
    Historically, this is just a fact. We have to get our head 
wrapped around that.
    I offer a friendly ear to fellow Members on both sides of 
the aisle to find solutions so our friends and communities, our 
churches and synagogues and places of worship can be peaceably 
gathered.
    I would like to ask our rabbis, Rabbis Cytron-Walker and 
Konikov, thank you for your testimony and for spending time 
with us today. Your service, your faith, your dedication to 
communities and congregation is noble. Let me say that domestic 
or international, any act of aggression or violence toward 
Israel and its citizens must be handled swiftly.
    As leaders of your respective communities, ensuring that 
your place of worship is secure must be a top priority. I would 
ask you to clarify your relationship with local law 
enforcement.
    Historically, Jewish communities are very close with local 
law enforcement. The thin blue line of law enforcement 
professionals across America face a particular persecution in 
this era in America. I ask for your reassurance that the Jewish 
community stands solid with the law enforcement professional, 
compassionate, strong, and courageous law enforcement across 
the country.
    Would you agree that that is your position?
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Well, Representative Higgins, if I 
may, thank you for those kind words. I was literally texting 
and emailing with the chief of Colleyville Police during those 
horrible, horrible hours, so that the relationship between our 
community and the Colleyville Police Department has been very, 
very important.
    It is also important to note that the deadliest shooting at 
a house of worship wasn't an overt sense of hatred against Jews 
or anyone else. It was in Sutherland Springs in Texas, right, 
which was so horrible.
    Mr. Higgins. Right.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. So horrible. Right? That happened in 
our State and it was something that, also, another one of those 
incidents that just touched all of us so, so deeply. That it 
really does take all of us, I guess that is what I want to say, 
it really takes all of us on all sides of the aisle to come 
with that sense of curiosity and come with that sense that our 
status quo is not OK. Right? That we can't do this as a society 
where this kind of violence is happening in our religious 
communities and in our schools and our religious institutions 
and nonprofits. We need that sense of security. We needed these 
grants, we need these programs.
    We also have to do more to work together to change that 
overall reality because what we are going through right now, I 
don't believe it is sustainable. But I appreciate your work on 
this.
    Mr. Higgins. Rabbi, I can't imagine that it could have been 
better stated, the position. Thank you, sir, for your kindness.
    Madam Chair, I believe my time has expired.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman's time has expired. Thank 
you so much. The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee, for 5 minutes.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Thank you very much to the Chairs for this 
important hearing, crucial hearing, and as well to the Ranking 
Members as well.
    Let me take note of Mr. Masters' last comments when he said 
the Jewish way of life in the United States of America is under 
attack. Sadly, this hearing further confirms not only that and 
the rising increase of anti-Semitism, but, again, the rise of 
racism and racial attitudes, which includes in particular the 
African-American community. So, we are looking at two of the 
targets and I am grateful for this hearing.
    Let me start, first of all, if it has not been submitted, 
to submit the DHS-issued National Terrorism Advisory System 
bulletin issued yesterday into the record. I ask unanimous 
consent.
    Chairwoman Demings. Without objection.*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * The information was submitted by Chairwoman Slotkin previously in 
this document.
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    Ms. Jackson Lee. Thank you. Let me start with Rabbi Cytron-
Walker.
    Our prayers were with you, but prayers needed action. But I 
think my outrage is that your congregation, a place of peace, a 
place of worship, something that the Constitution gives us a 
sense of comfort that we as a Nation, the oldest democracy, had 
as the No. 1 provision, the Bill of Rights, the right to 
freedom of religion. You were violated.
    Can you tell me--Rabbi, first of all, I hope those who were 
held, I hope God is encouraging them and the comfort of this 
Nation lets them know that we care. As well your congregants, I 
hope that they are knowing that America cares and we in the 
U.S. Congress cares.
    Can you tell me the one thing that you thought helped to 
bring you to safety? Did you find in the perpetrator a 
confusion or pointed focus?
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. I would say, first of all, that--first 
of all, thank you for those kind words and thank you for the 
support. Our congregation has been overwhelmed in the most 
wonderful of ways by all of the support that we have received, 
myself and those who were held hostage. We have been working 
through it and we have really appreciated just the incredible 
amount of support within and outside of our Nation and our 
global world community. It has been unbelievable.
    In terms of the----
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Perpetrator.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker [continuing]. Perpetrator, he was very 
focused on one thing. Right? He was very focused on this idea 
that Jews controlled the world. Jews could pull the strings, 
that I could call the chief rabbi of America as far as he was 
concerned. Rabbi Buchdahl, you know, is absolutely amazing, but 
we don't have a chief rabbi in America.
    He thought that we could do that and he could get this 
person released, and that was his singular focus. That was his 
singular understanding. That idea that Jews control the world, 
the Jews control the media, the Jews control Government, the 
Jews control everything, that was reality for him.
    Like he deeply, in everything he shared, he believed that 
100 percent, that America would care more about Jews than 
anybody else. So there was no confusion about that. That was 
consistent every step of the way.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. The height of anti-Semitism. Thank you so 
very much. Our prayers continue to be with you.
    Let me read into the record the language of this bulletin, 
``Continued cause for violence directed at U.S. critical 
infrastructure, soft targets, and mass gatherings; faith-based 
institutions such as churches, synagogues, mosques; 
institutions of higher education; racial and religious 
minorities; government facilities and personnel, including law 
environment; and the military, the media, and perceived 
ideological opponents.'' The gist of this bulletin says that 
this language, these acts generate potential violence.
    We know that Mr. Greenblatt said in his last testimony 
before us, ``Extremist White supremacist ideology is more than 
a collection of prejudices. It is a complete world view.''
    Can I hear from Mr. Singleton--excuse me, Mr. Masters and 
Mr. Fingerhut, if I could? Could you both respond to the 
intensity of these actions and words turning into violence and 
how these grants are so crucial at this time? Mr. Fingerhut and 
then Mr. Masters. Thank you.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee. There 
is no question that the reason why it is necessary for us as a 
Jewish community to ensure that every single institution in the 
Jewish community is protected, both through physical protection 
and the professional security network that we are building in 
each community is because of this rise of anti-Semitic speech 
and incidents. They don't all, obviously, manifest in violence, 
but they create the environment in which the individuals, such 
as those who carried out these attacks, are motivated to act.
    So, there is a direct correlation between the rise of anti-
Semitism that our colleague Jonathan Greenblatt spoke to this 
Congress about. While there is a full-throated effort to 
counter that anti-Semitism led by Mr. Greenblatt and our 
organizations and others, we also simultaneously have to 
protect and defend every Jewish institution.
    You know, I note that after 9/11, America both went on the 
offense against terrorism around the world, but also protected 
and built out the homeland security system that we are so 
familiar with today. That is where we are in the Jewish 
community today. We have to both counter anti-Semitism wherever 
it is, but we must recognize that it will nevertheless result 
in these violent attacks. We will protect every community.
    As you may have heard, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, we are in 
the middle of a major campaign to extend our professional 
security initiatives in partnership with SCN, out to every 
single Jewish community organized through its Federations. Then 
each place also wish to partner in-depth with local law 
enforcement, as previously was discussed, and also, of course, 
with this important FEMA grant program.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentlewoman's time has expired. The 
Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from Iowa, Mrs. Miller-
Meeks, for 5 minutes.
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks. Thank you, Chair Demings and Chair 
Slotkin and Ranking Members Cammack and Pfluger, for this 
important hearing. Certainly our hearts, our sympathies are 
with all of those in Colleyville for this horrendous attack. I 
went to school there and know the area very well.
    Mr. Masters, according to a report conducted by the Anti-
Defamation League's Center on Extremism, in 2020, there were 
114 reported instances of Zoom bombing directed at Jewish 
institutions, such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and 
Jewish schools. Have you heard from your members about an 
increase in this or other types of cyber harassment?
    Mr. Masters. Certainly. So--and thank you for the question. 
Particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, as our community 
moved on-line in many respects, Zoom and Facebook Live, we saw 
a dramatic increase in Zoom bombings in particular. We worked 
collaboratively with the ADL and Zoom, as well as other 
providers, to address safety and security settings. All told, 
we held national webinars to educate thousands of members of 
our community on how to implement those security settings to 
avoid the Zoom bombing.
    We also have seen during the pandemic more broadly a 40 
percent increase reported into our intelligence center, our 
Operations Command Center, of cyber intrusions and activity. We 
work very closely, as I mentioned, with the FBI and DHS.
    We anticipate that this is going to increase. I would note 
that particularly when we see international events that affect 
the State of Israel and the Jewish community throughout the 
world, we see an uptick in cyber activity, what we believe to 
be both from state and non-state actors, some affiliated with 
foreign terrorist organizations, others operating on their own 
potentially. This is very significant.
    What I would drive to with the point, and this goes to the 
physical security as well, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson 
Lee's question, it is not just about the security. It is about 
the feeling of insecurity that is created in the community. 
Whether it is on Zoom or whether it is the question that Rabbi 
Konikov identified as someone feeling uncomfortable, if we get 
to a place in our country and this community where people are 
uncomfortable walking to synagogues, sending their kids to 
Jewish day school, or participating in a Zoom, we will do far 
more damage to ourselves as a faith-based community and as a 
country than any single or group of terrorists could do.
    That is why it is so essential that we have these funds to 
help us support the physical security, the cybersecurity, to 
create an empowered, resilient community. We thank you for your 
support in making that happen.
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks. To that end, an extension of this is 
that, and this is for any of the witnesses or either of the 
rabbis as well, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, 
has regularly live-streamed its service, especially since the 
start of COVID, to ensure that its entire community would still 
be able to participate. This practice took a dark turn when 
Malik Faisal Akram took 4 people hostage and when it allowed an 
unprecedented number of people to watch the attack in real 
time.
    We know, given the state of culture now, the state of the 
internet and social media, and getting more likes and attention 
if you do egregious things, I mean, all of us have seen some of 
the horrific videos on the internet. Are you all concerned that 
having had this live-streamed inadvertently would yield to 
copycat attacks as a result of the extremely public nature of 
the Colleyville attack?
    Mr. Masters. Oh, sorry.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. No, go ahead, please.
    Mr. Masters. Yes, I will be very--from a security 
perspective, the answer is yes. We saw this with the 
Christchurch, New Zealand, attacker. We saw it with the 
attacker in Poway who attempted to live stream. We saw the live 
stream impact in Colleyville.
    The short answer is yes, we are very concerned about this 
and the implication for copycats, and we need to work to 
address it. I will defer to----
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks. It goes to the insecurity you just 
mentioned in the community and the insecurity to practice your 
faith.
    Mr. Masters. Yes, ma'am.
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks. Rabbi.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. First of all, I want to say that I 
appreciate the hyphenated last name. Thank you for the 
opportunity.
    With regards--I mean, it is a very strange thing because 
not only was this very, very public for us, we also had so much 
interest, right, and repeated interest on the Facebook platform 
that we want to be open and honest, and yet we are no longer 
mentioning the names of everyone who is sick that we are 
praying for within the congregation. We are trying to be 
conscious of the sense of privacy in a way that we have never 
had to think about in our world today.
    So, it remains an on-going issue for us in our community 
and yet we want to be open, we want to be accessible for our--
you know, on-line. We want people to be able to pray with us 
and connect with us. Yet, there is a whole host of new and not 
necessarily appreciated challenges that has come with this as 
well. Yet, we remain committed to figuring out solutions. But 
thank you for the question.
    Mrs. Miller-Meeks. Thank you and we remain committed with 
you. I yield back my time, Chairwoman.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentlewoman yields back. The Chair 
now recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, for 5 
minutes.
    Mr. Green. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and the 
Ranking Member as well. To my friends who are assembled as 
witnesses I thank you for your appearance today. It means a 
lot. I am going to address my question to my friend, Mr. 
Fingerhut.
    Friends, first a bit of preamble, if you will. I and a very 
dear friend, David Mincberg, encountered bigotry many years 
ago. I was president of the NAACP. He was with the AJC. He was 
the lead person. He and I took on this challenge. It was a 
challenge related to the African-American community. But having 
the allies in the Jewish community made all the difference in 
the resolution.
    It is important for us not to silo our problems, that we 
should see these problems as a collective. They are our 
problems. They are not your problems. They are our problems. 
They are my problems. We have got a duty to help each other in 
these times of need.
    We are not confronting persons who have said some ugly 
things, we have a duty to bond and let people know that we are 
friends and that we will stand together. If ever you make a 
statement or if ever you do something that is inappropriate, 
you know that you can count on us. We have to count on each 
other.
    Now, having given that as my foundation, my predicate, I 
believe that we have to treat all bigots the same. We cannot 
make a distinction between one bigot and another. You can't 
conclude that if one bigot is beneficial--I have a term that I 
use now, it is called the ``beneficial bigot''--a beneficial 
bigot has to be treated the same way you treat another bigot. 
If you make exceptions for beneficial bigots, those exceptions 
come back to haunt us.
    So, I am hopeful that we will, as we move forward together, 
and we must do it together, that when we encounter these 
circumstances, we will take them on and we will do it together, 
understanding that there can be no such thing as a beneficial 
bigot.
    So, to my friend, Mr. Fingerhut, I appreciate your being 
here. Beneficial bigotry is the topic. How do you respond to my 
comment that we have to treat all bigots the same? Can't give a 
beneficial bigot a license to do what you wouldn't give another 
bigot the opportunity to do.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Representative Green, it is indeed a 
pleasure to speak with you again, and you have been such a 
champion on these issues. Thank you, sir.
    I, of course, agree with your comment entirely that we must 
treat all bigotry the same. I want to emphasize that as we grow 
the professional security systems initiatives that we are 
building across the entire Jewish community in each of our 146 
Jewish Federations, that one of the key roles of those 
professional community security directors, who, of course, are 
working with SCN and trained by them, is to build relations 
with not only local law enforcement, but also with other 
community representatives of other churches and mosques and 
other faiths. And that our Federations work, of course, in 
partnership with the leaders of other faiths and NAACP and 
Muslim groups and others so that we are sharing information, we 
are working together in a unified way, and supporting each 
other as we build out these necessary steps.
    You know, both rabbis spoke beautifully, and I know they, 
in addition to caring for their congregations and doing all the 
pastoral responsibilities they have, they are also involved in 
interfaith activities and broadening their work across the 
community. But they can't do this alone. We have to offer them 
the sophistication and the professional help that we can 
through the Jewish Federation system and in partnership with 
the Government, local law enforcement, and, of course, FEMA in 
this case on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
    So, we take your comments seriously and we know we are all 
in this together and we lock arms. Of course, we have had to, 
as you and I have discussed, the Jewish community has had to be 
very aggressive in building out these security programs in 
every community because we have been a significant 
disproportionate target of these violent attacks. But we know 
that we are not alone and we are eager to do it in full concert 
with all faith communities and all communities that we could 
reach.
    Mr. Green. Madam Chair, I thank you for the time. Let me 
just close with this. Those who tolerate bigotry, perpetuate 
it. We cannot tolerate it. Again, I thank you, Madam Chair.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman's time has expired. Thank 
you for yielding back. The Chair now recognizes Mr. Meijer from 
Michigan for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Meijer. Thank you, Madam Chair, and to the subcommittee 
for holding this hearing today, and to all of our guests who 
are joining to share their expertise and their experience.
    I just have to follow on what many of my other colleagues 
have and just, you know, Rabbi Walker, thank you for the 
example that you set for the just bravery that you showed. I 
know, you know, in an era where we are all watching things 
occur and scrolling our Twitter feeds to find updates, you 
know, our hearts sank when we saw the news and then leaped at, 
you know, the conclusion. Thanks again to your calmness under 
pressure.
    It was a situation you should have never been in, but one 
that you handled and your fellow victims kind-of handled in a 
way that, I think, set a powerful example.
    Rabbi Walker, I just want to kind of build on, again, some 
of the other questions here. You know, you mentioned that you 
participated in about a half-dozen other security workshops 
that have been offered by the FBI, the ADL, Colleyville Police, 
and the Secure Community Network with Mr. Masters. Do you think 
your experience is representative of other faith leaders? Has 
that degree of involvement with the resources that are 
available, do you feel that that is wide-spread and that there 
is sufficient awareness of the tools and resources available?
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Thank you so much, Representative 
Meijer. I would say yes and no. That Security Summit that I 
attended with the FBI, I mean, it was a huge auditorium and 
there were faith leaders from across every spectrum and 
background.
    When we--we hosted in our community I want to say twice 
with the Police Department and again with the FBI, I could be 
remembering those differently. But in our congregation we 
invited members of our interfaith community, religious leaders, 
lay leaders, to participate. Our Colleyville Police Department 
did a session on the development of a security action plan. We 
had faith leaders from across the community. It just depends on 
who shows up. Right?
    A community has to feel the need and the desire. Right? 
Unfortunately, a lot more people feel that as it hits closer to 
home. But let us take--I mean, let us be realistic about this. 
What happened to us is the most recent horrible thing, but 
things have been happening for years. It is a matter of when 
does that wake-up call happen that we need to be prepared?
    So that education that--and also, that sense that being 
prepared doesn't mean you expect it to happen. Right? That is a 
really, really important point. Just like CPR, just like the 
fire drills as was mentioned before, you don't count on tornado 
drills. You are not expecting to get hit by a tornado, you are 
not expecting a fire to happen in the building. There needs to 
be a sense of awareness and preparation.
    Unfortunately, in far too many schools, right, so many 
public schools and private schools, they are doing lockdown 
drills. Not because they expect it to happen, but it just makes 
sense to have that preparation.
    So, it doesn't matter the institution. From Jewish to 
Muslim, Baha'i, atheists, right, all of us, I mean, everyone 
from every background, unfortunately, we need that sense of 
preparation.
    Mr. Meijer. Certainly mentioning that recency, you know. We 
are holding this hearing in the wake of what happened in 
Colleyville. You know, it is fresh of mind and I think, you 
know, it is not at all surprising to see an increased focus on 
connecting our faith community with the resources that are 
available. But then also that obligation and the necessity of 
once more time passes to continue that engagement, to continue 
to pushing those resources out, so that, you know, we don't let 
the time that passes, you know, distract us from the underlying 
mission.
    So, again, Rabbi, I really appreciate you joining us here 
today. I appreciate you sharing those comments. Thank you for 
the leadership that you showed.
    With that, Madam Chair, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman yields back. The Chair 
now recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Langevin, 
for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Langevin. Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank our 
witnesses for their testimony today. I apologize I wasn't able 
to stay for the entire hearing. I was on another hearing with 
the Armed Services Committee, but did want to get back here to, 
again, thank our witnesses and ask a couple questions.
    So, if I can start with you, Rabbi Cytron-Walker. So, you 
spoke in your testimony about the understandable burdens that 
small congregations like yours face in navigating the paperwork 
requirements of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Are there 
other challenges with NSGP which are unique to small 
congregations that you and Rabbi Konikov have experienced or 
have heard of others experiencing?
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. I don't know all of the specifics, but 
I do know that if it were not for one volunteer, who basically 
made it almost his full-time job for, you know, weeks at a time 
to try to get this together, I mean, so many hours in the back 
room going through the grants, making sure it was right, making 
sure it was accurate, we wouldn't have received the grants. I 
can't imagine what it was like for my colleague in Florida. 
Right? I just know that it is really, really challenging.
    In terms of that general trend, since I don't know the--I 
wasn't the one applying for it, you know. But I think that, you 
know, Mr. Masters might be able to speak to that in a more 
broader sense, a more global sense. But I can tell you that it 
is really, really hard for smaller congregations to do it.
    Mr. Langevin. Thank you.
    Rabbi Konikov. I agree as well, by the way.
    Mr. Langevin. Sure.
    Rabbi Konikov. I agree to that same idea. I mean, it is a 
very extensive project to do. We actually enlisted the Chabad 
security in Florida to help us with it. They have told us that 
those who received or awarded the grant in 2020, most of those 
that they have been helping have not received the funds yet 
because between, you know, FEMA and the Florida Department of 
Emergency Management there has just been a lot of back-and-
forth. Many have just not received it because the process has 
been going very slow.
    Mr. Langevin. OK. Thank you for that. Here is a question 
for all of our witnesses. In cases where nonprofit 
organizations are needing to make sustained investments in 
their security, have they run into challenges in securing 
multiple grants over time from the Nonprofit Security Grant 
Program? If so, is it clear why some applications from a 
certain organization were accepted and others were not?
    Mr. Masters. Sir, I will attempt to first answer that 
question. For one, there is an ability to receive multiple 
grants over the years. There is a waiting system that has a 
preference for first-time applicants.
    So, we have seen over the years, in 2006, as my colleague 
Congressman Fingerhut mentioned when the grant program was 
first created, as the pool has expanded, as more money has 
become available, more people have applied, and that is a good 
thing. That has made it somewhat more competitive, obviously.
    There is a possibility for institutions to get multi-year 
grants. I think as more institutions have applied and certainly 
as it has expanded to those communities that traditionally 
could not apply, our non-urban area communities, then we have 
seen more applications and more first-time individuals getting 
funded.
    I would note when it comes to some of the complications 
with respect to the grant, there is, as I mentioned earlier in 
another answer to a question, there is disparity across the 
State administrative agencies, which can make things 
complicated. The Authorized Equipment List from which you can 
purchase items was not really designed for faith-based 
institutions or laypeople to take advantage of. It is the same 
Authorized Equipment List if I was running a major gas refinery 
and I was trying to use equipment to fund from there that I 
would be using.
    I think there are ways to make the process easier for those 
first-time applicants, as Congressman Fingerhut mentioned, with 
respect to increased support for first-time applicants. That 
is, frankly, what we are doing a lot of in the Jewish community 
through the joint effort of JFNA and SCN to make grant writers 
available, to do more assessments, et cetera.
    But there is a lot of work to do and there is more 
organizations than we can service. So anything that can be done 
from your side or the FEMA side to increase their ability to 
support would be helpful.
    Mr. Langevin. Absolutely.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman's time has expired. The 
Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from New Jersey, Mrs. 
Watson Coleman, for 5 minutes.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, for 
bringing us together today. Thank you to each and every one of 
our witnesses. The information has been so helpful.
    Rabbi Charlie, it is so good to be able to have this 
conversation with you. God bless you. My blessings to your 
whole congregation and even those who were there on that day.
    I don't have a question. Let me just say this. I heard you. 
I heard about the difficulty in the application process. I 
heard about the unpredictability in continuity of the 
application process. I heard that we need additional resources 
to be applied. I also heard loud and clear that we recognize 
that we are all in this together, Black, Jewish, Muslim, 
atheist, Sikh, whatever. We aren't always considered the other 
now and we just show this country that we are together. We are 
together in this message. We are together in our unity and we 
will stand together for the democracy in this country.
    So, I thank you for the opportunity to hear what you had to 
say today. Madam Chairwoman, thank you so much, and to you, 
Madam Chairwoman Slotkin, for bringing us together and giving 
me this opportunity. I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. Thank you so much. The gentlewoman 
yields back. The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from New 
Jersey, Mr. Malinowski, for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Malinowski. Thank you so much, Madam Chairwoman, and 
thank you, too, to all of our witnesses for your presentations. 
I am both delighted that we are holding this hearing and 
incredibly sad that we have to hold this hearing.
    So, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is incredibly 
important in my home State of New Jersey. We have had our 
share, arguably more than our share, of anti-Semitic incidents 
and other attacks on people based on their faith and race in 
recent years. I think we are No. 2 in the country in terms of 
anti-Semitic attacks since 2020.
    I have held a number of workshops in my district for faith 
leaders interested in the grant program and we have helped them 
take advantage of these resources. But I also totally agree we 
do not have enough resources and the numbers bear that out.
    Fully 45 percent of applications right now are rejected by 
FEMA and grant applicants often are not informed why they are 
rejected. That is something we have to fix. Obviously, we need 
more resources. For that reason, I have been a strong 
supporter, even since I have been elected, of increasing 
funding for this program and I will continue to do so.
    At the same time, every single time I sign a letter to 
increase funding, every single time I cosponsor a bill to 
increase funding, I feel a sense of defeat because, as I am 
sure all of our witnesses would agree, even though we have to 
harden our places of worship, the solution to this problem is 
not at the gate of our places of worship. If we wait until the 
attacker is at the gate, you know, we have already, in a sense, 
failed.
    So that is really what I want to ask our witnesses about. 
Why, in your view, is this happening? Why is it--perhaps, Mr. 
Fingerhut, you mentioned that we are living through the most 
intense period of attacks on the American Jewish community in 
the history of this country. Why, from your standpoint, is this 
happening right now?
    Mr. Fingerhut. Well, Representative Malinowski, thank you 
for the question. I know that these committees held a hearing 
just recently on the rise of anti-Semitism and the relationship 
to all the various political and radical movements that are 
happening across the spectrum, you know, around the world. In a 
previous discussion in this hearing, the impact of social 
media, the impact of the internet to be able to bring these 
things into every community, into anybody's home, anybody who 
wants to reach, you know, this hatred.
    The key for us is that we just know that it is not going to 
end. The rise, the wave is still rising, and so we have to be 
prepared.
    If I might just take the moment of your question, there 
have been so many excellent comments about the challenges the 
current Nonprofit Security Grant Program faces. There are 
things that this committee can do, even in legislative language 
associated with appropriations that could help address them. We 
need to give FEMA more flexibility and authority quickly and 
support the Waive the Paperwork Requirement Act. I mentioned a 
number of these things in my written testimony that has been 
submitted for the record.
    Representative Malinowski, I wish to say--I wish I had a 
better answer for you on why, but I know that it is real and it 
is growing and it is not going to end soon. So we have to give 
our partners in Government all the resources and flexibility 
needed to act now.
    Mr. Malinowski. Yes, and we should. On social media, let me 
put it this way to you, imagine there were a company in America 
that tracked the on-line behavior of every single person in 
this country and the world. Every time they found somebody 
expressing views along the lines of Jews control the world or 
anything like that, a representative of that company picked up 
the phone and called that person to say, hey, couldn't help but 
notice, you just expressed some really interesting views and we 
would like to introduce you to 10 other people who share your 
views. We would like to help you get together with those people 
and help you explore your interest in combating those horrible 
Jewish people who are trying to control the world.
    Would you think that would be a pretty bad thing?
    Mr. Fingerhut. Absolutely. Perhaps----
    Mr. Malinowski. That is what social media companies do, of 
course.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Absolutely, Mr. Malinowski.
    Mr. Malinowski. Yes. So, this is something that we are 
looking very hard at. Obviously, it is not a guy picking up the 
phone, making a call. It is an automated algorithmic system, 
but it functions in precisely that way.
    Mr. Fingerhut. If I might add, it is one of the reasons why 
all of our community security programs through each of our 146 
Federations will be connected through the security efforts of 
the SCN, so that that kind of information on-line, when a 
threat is identified anywhere in any community, can be 
immediately broadcast out to all of our security directors in 
every community because we know that they are doing exactly 
what you said they are, introducing the radicals to more people 
and that it will quickly spread. Copycats, similar, they will 
show up on-line. Through our partnership with SCN, we are able 
now to get that information out to every community.
    Mr. Malinowski. Thank you. I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman yields back. The Chair 
now recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Gottheimer, 
for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Gottheimer. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, for this 
timely hearing. The threats against the Jewish community are 
rising at an alarming rate. As we know, just this week the 
National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin warned of the role 
disinformation is playing in motivating domestic extremists, 
with a stress on the interest in targeting religious and racial 
minorities; varied reports stating an uptick in calls by 
extremists to replicate what occurred at Congregation Beth 
Israel in Colleyville, Texas.
    I want to take a moment to highlight the courage, as my 
colleagues have, of Rabbi Cytron-Walker and the horrific 
hostage situation in Colleyville. We are very, very thankful 
for you and for what you did, and helped the other hostages 
make it out safely.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker, your actions during the hostage crisis 
have inspired many, of course. You have reminded the people of 
the real threat faced in the Jewish community. How can DHS and 
other agencies better support your community and others like 
it? I know you have answered some of this, if there is anything 
you think we have not addressed, I would be grateful.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. I would say that one thing that hasn't 
been mentioned to the extent that maybe it needs to is that 
idea of--I mean, it has been stated, right, we need those 
relationships before something bad happens. We need the 
relationships on the National, State, and local level with 
regard to government. We need those relationships within our 
inter-religious communities on a local level.
    We need to know one another, which is--we don't have to be 
experts in one another's religions, but we do need to know each 
other and see each other and see the humanity within, whether 
we are talking about, you know, the more progressive religions, 
the more conservative religions, everybody in between, those 
without any religion. We need that sense of relationship and to 
encourage that relationship and to make those possible in 
addition to all of the many possibilities that this committee 
can do. Along with, as has also been mentioned, that idea of 
acknowledging the hatred that exists.
    Again, we don't have to agree with everyone, we are not 
going to agree with everyone. But when we can see the humanity 
in each other before we choose how to disagree, right, to know 
that we are all human, we are not enemies, right, regardless of 
whatever political side of the aisle, regardless of our 
religious faith, we need to all be on the same team. When we 
can be on the same team and tone down that rhetoric, right, and 
that is a responsibility that all of us have, religious 
leaders, elected officials from every part of government, when 
we can do that, it makes a big difference. It makes a big 
difference.
    Mr. Gottheimer. To that point, you have obviously been a 
leader in teaching members of society about the roots and 
solutions to hate. Particularly in light of the disgusting Nazi 
rally in Orlando and others, this is more important than ever.
    I was proud, like many of my colleagues, to support the 
Never Again Education Act in 2020, expanding U.S. Holocaust 
Memorial Museum education programming. Are there other ways to 
promote a deeper understanding of the lessons from historic 
anti-Semitism, other steps you think we should be taking or 
not?
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Was that again to me? Sorry.
    Mr. Gottheimer. I am so sorry, Rabbi. Yes, Rabbi Cytron-
Walker, sorry.
    Rabbi Cytron-Walker. Yes. OK, no. Thank you again. I think 
with regard to Holocaust education, I think that, 
unfortunately, from my understanding of the research, and 
Congressman Fingerhut could probably--or, you know, like there 
are others who could probably do better than I, but my 
understanding is that Holocaust education in this country is 
actually decreasing instead of increasing.
    That is something that--this is one event, you know, one 
period of time that is so important for us from a historical 
perspective. Unfortunately, it teaches, you know, the worst 
experiences of what hate can do, of what dehumanization can do. 
It is not the only story. Right?
    I just had an opportunity to visit the Dallas Holocaust and 
Human Rights Museum, which focuses in not only on the 
Holocaust, but also human rights across the board. That is an 
incredible resource to educate, and they do so in the DFW area 
in an incredible way. That kind of education is helpful across 
the board to not only better understand the Holocaust, but, 
once again, to understand how we are all connected as human 
beings.
    Mr. Gottheimer. Well, you are right, and the Nonprofit 
Security Grants and other measures that Mr. Fingerhut has 
spoken about are so critical to protect synagogues, but also do 
make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure we have 
more resources, not less there, and which I think is so 
important.
    Thank you so much. I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentleman yields back. To our 
witnesses, thank you so much for your patience. Finally, the 
Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from New York, Miss Rice, 
for 5 minutes.
    Miss Rice. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. I just want to 
raise two quick issues that have already been pretty much 
acknowledged and talked about by some of my colleagues.
    I am very grateful for the millions of dollars that New 
York and specifically my district on Long Island have gotten, 
but I have heard from Jewish and interfaith organizations that 
the present funding levels are clearly insufficient to meet the 
current needs. This year we had 7 incredibly strong applicants 
from my district who were denied funding. Even those that 
received grants often find that their award is insufficient to 
cover the needed security updates.
    Now, these rejections are especially frustrating because 
these organizations aren't told why they have been rejected, 
only that they have been. So, I appreciate the work that is 
being done that I think Mr. Masters talked about in terms of 
help that is given to first-time applicants. But we also need 
to worry about the applicant who maybe is not the first-time 
applicant, but gets denied and without any explanation.
    So, just to you, Mr. Masters, well, first of all, I think 
we all agree that we have to put more money into this program 
across the board. But how can we make it better? I don't know 
if it is an issue of transparency or maybe giving organizations 
that are denied their initial application a chance to make 
changes so that they can receive these grants? Maybe you could 
just kind-of talk a little bit about ways that we can fix this 
and give more certainty to the applicants during that process.
    Mr. Masters. Thank you, Congresswoman. I think you 
identified perhaps one of the biggest complaints that we hear 
across the entire Jewish community, but also when we are asked 
to provide advice or counsel to our partners in other faith-
based communities or nonprofit communities: Lack of feedback. 
So, you submit an application, it goes to the State 
administrative agency, and then it goes to FEMA. When it is 
rejected, there is no clarity on whether it was rejected for a 
material deficiency in the application. Did I not put the 
correct SAM or DUNS number? Or was my threat section or my 
investment justification section off?
    So, just the very basic--I mean, even if we just provided 
was it a material deficiency or was it something in your 
narrative in the objective part of--the subjective part of the 
application which was problematic would be a huge advantage.
    Then if you carry that point----
    Miss Rice. Let me just interrupt you for 1 second.
    Mr. Masters. Yes.
    Miss Rice. So, what I would like to know is, you know, are 
people being rejected just because there is no--they are making 
the decision that there is no money and that these other 
organizations are more deserving at this time than you? But if 
that is the case, then they should know that, too. It sounds to 
me like FEMA makes that ultimate determination of why they are 
rejected, but does not give the reason. I mean, is there a way 
that we can require a reason to be given?
    Mr. Masters. Well, so every State gets a specific amount of 
money and every urban area does, so that the State actually 
identifies through their process who is getting it from the 
State level until that pot of money gets to zero. So, very 
feasibly, you could have someone that has a good application, 
but because there is not enough money, they don't get awarded.
    Then you could have people that have just they had problems 
with their application itself and they are not getting feedback 
on those applications. That is something that we as the 
Federation System have worked to do in looking at many of those 
applications that were rejected and providing feedback. I think 
my colleague, Congressman Fingerhut, probably has something to 
add on that as well.
    Mr. Fingerhut. Yes. I just--thank you so much, Mr. Masters 
and Representative Rice. I just really do want to point out 
that we believe that FEMA just simply doesn't have the 
resources right now to do the--to give the kinds of responses 
that Mr. Masters and you are speaking of. We strongly urge that 
some portion of these increased funds be allocated both to FEMA 
and to the State authorities, so that they can give that 
necessary feedback.
    I also mentioned to Mr. Malinowski, but I want to repeat 
that they also probably need a waiver of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, so they can quickly update and modernize their 
application forms. Even some additional broader authority on 
language as to what the risks, the threats are that are being 
covered because these threats are just multiplying faster than 
the legislative authority language they have, you know, has 
enabled.
    I believe, I certainly am out of date as to the functioning 
of this committee from my time there, but certainly as much of 
this that can be done, either report language or legislative 
language around the appropriations, even before maybe some 
changes are made to the authorizing language would--the 
authorizing bill would really be timely and responsive together 
with the funding increase.
    Miss Rice. Thank you, Congressman. Thank you, Madam Chair. 
I yield back.
    Chairwoman Demings. The gentlewoman yields back. I ask 
unanimous consent to enter a statement from the Anti-Defamation 
League into the record. Without objection.
    [The information follows:]
    Statement of Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO & National Director, Anti-
                           Defamation League
                                10 a.m.
                          introduction to adl
    Since 1913, the mission of ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) has 
been to ``stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure 
justice and fair treatment to all.'' For decades, one of the most 
important ways in which ADL has fought against bigotry and anti-
Semitism has been by investigating extremist threats across the 
ideological spectrum, including White supremacists and other far-right 
violent extremists, producing research to inform the public of the 
scope of the threat, and working with law enforcement, educators, the 
tech industry and elected leaders to promote best practices that can 
effectively address and counter these threats.
    Domestic violent extremism has been on the rise in recent years. 
The Jewish community continues to be a primary target of extremists, 
regardless of ideology. Our hearts are with the Colleyville, Texas 
community that was recently shaken by the trauma of being targeted by a 
terrorist who took hostages at a local synagogue, one that thankfully 
had security-related equipment and training--resources that many faith-
based communities Nation-wide do not have access to.
    Without a doubt, right-wing extremist violence is currently the 
greatest domestic terrorism threat to everyone in this country. From 
Charleston to Charlottesville to Pittsburgh, to Poway and El Paso, we 
have seen the deadly consequences of White supremacist extremism play 
out all over this country. Moreover, at ADL we are tracking the 
mainstreaming, normalizing, and localizing of the hate, disinformation, 
and toxic conspiracy theories that animate this extremism. We cannot 
afford to minimize this threat. We need a bipartisan ``whole-of-
Government approach''--indeed, a ``whole-of-society'' approach--to 
counter it, and the work must start today.
                             current trends
Colleyville and Anti-Semitic Violence
    Anti-Semitism is an on-going threat to the American Jewish 
community. According to the FBI's annual data on hate crimes, defined 
as criminal offenses which are motivated by bias, crimes targeting the 
Jewish community consistently constitute over half of all religion-
based crimes. The number of hate crimes against Jews has ranged between 
600 and 1,200 each year since the FBI began collecting data in the 
1990's. There were 683 hate crimes against Jews in 2020, 963 in 2019 
and 847 in 2018. The FBI's data is based on voluntary reporting by 
local law enforcement and appropriate characterization of crimes as 
also being hate crimes. For a variety of reasons, dozens of large 
cities either underreport or do not report hate crime data at all. For 
that reason, experts, including at ADL, know that the real figure for 
crimes targeting Jews, as well as other minorities, is even higher than 
the FBI reporting indicates.
    A violent attack against the Jewish community occurred just 
recently, on January 15, when a gunman entered Congregation Beth Israel 
in Colleyville, Texas, during services, taking 3 congregants and the 
rabbi as hostages. Though the standoff ended with all hostages freed 
and physically unharmed, the violent act reinforced the need to 
forcefully address the threat of anti-Semitic violence--experienced by 
the Colleyville community and far too many others. The fact that the 
Colleyville attacker travelled from the United Kingdom underscores that 
there can be foreign influences on domestic terrorism, either through 
incitement, coordination, or direct participation.
Rising Anti-Semitism
    ADL has recorded a 60 percent increase of anti-Semitic incidents 
over the past 5 years. While anti-Semitism has commonalities with 
racism, anti-Muslim bias, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, 
misogyny, and other forms of hate and discrimination, it also has 
certain unique characteristics as a specific set of ideologies about 
Jews that has migrated across discourses--and across centuries. In 
almost every part of our society, this hatred has been conjured and 
adjusted to suit the values, beliefs, and fears of specific 
demographics and contexts. The underlying conspiracy theories employing 
Jew-hatred morph to fit the anxieties and upheavals of the time--for 
example, that Jews were responsible for the Black Death in medieval 
times and for ``inventing,'' spreading, or profiting from COVID in the 
21st Century. Or that Jews exercise extraordinary power over 
governments, media, and finance--from the charges of a conspiracy to 
achieve world domination set forth in the Protocols of the Elders of 
Zion and used by the Nazis, to thinly-veiled anti-Semitism blaming 
``globalism'' and ``cosmopolitan'' elites for all the ills of the world 
and for planning a ``new world order.''
    We cannot fight anti-Semitism without understanding how it is both 
intertwined with other forms of prejudice and how it is unique.
    Each year, ADL's Center on Extremism tracks incidents of anti-
Semitic harassment, vandalism, and assault in the United States. Since 
1979, we have published this information in an annual Audit of Anti-
Semitic Incidents. In 2020, ADL tabulated 2,024 reported anti-Semitic 
incidents throughout the United States. This is a 4 percent decrease 
from the 2,107 incidents recorded in 2019 but is still the third-
highest year on record since ADL began tracking anti-Semitic incidents 
in 1979.
    Known extremist groups or individuals inspired by extremist 
ideology were responsible for 331 incidents in 2020, up from 270 
incidents in 2019. This represents 16 percent of the total number of 
incidents in 2020.
    More recently, analysis from ADL's Center on Extremism reveals that 
anti-Semitic incidents in the United States more than doubled during 
the May 2021 military conflict between Israel and Hamas and its 
immediate aftermath compared to the same time period in 2020. After 
peaking during that period, incident levels gradually returned to a 
baseline level.
Threats to HBCUs
    Over the last several weeks, America's Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities (HBCUs) were targeted by wide-spread and repeated bomb 
threats. While the cases are still under investigation, law enforcement 
authorities reportedly believe the threats were racially motivated. It 
is no coincidence that HBCUs, a long-standing symbol of Black 
resilience and excellence, were targeted at the start of Black History 
Month and during a time of wide-spread and ``equal opportunity'' hate, 
which has affected minority communities Nation-wide.
    It is notable that threats targeting the Black community come at a 
time when anti-Semitic incidents are high, and the Asian American and 
Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continues to experience alarming 
levels of hate crimes directed toward them. Hateful movements do not 
limit themselves to attacking only one group or demographic.
Murder and Extremism: By the Numbers
    In 2021, based on ADL's preliminary research, domestic extremists 
killed at least 29 people in the United States, in 19 separate 
incidents. This represents a modest increase from the 23 extremist-
related murders documented in 2020 but is far lower than the number of 
murders committed in any of the 5 years prior (which ranged from 45 to 
78). While this could be cause for optimism, more likely it is the 
result of COVID lockdowns reducing mass gatherings and the increased 
attention of law enforcement following the January 6, 2021 
insurrection.
    Most of the murders (26 of 29) were committed by right-wing 
extremists, which for more than a decade in this country has been the 
case.
White Supremacist Propaganda
    ADL's Center on Extremism (COE) tracked a near-doubling of White 
supremacist propaganda efforts in 2020, which included the distribution 
of racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-LGBTQ+ fliers, stickers, banners, and 
posters. The 2020 data shows a huge increase of incidents from the 
previous year, with a total of 5,125 cases reported to ADL (averaging 
more than 14 incidents per day), compared to 2,724 in 2019. This is the 
highest number of White supremacist propaganda incidents ADL has ever 
recorded. The number of propaganda incidents on college campuses 
dropped by more than half, perhaps due to COVID restrictions.
    Propaganda gives White supremacists the ability to maximize media 
and on-line attention, while limiting the risk of individual exposure, 
negative media coverage, arrests, and public backlash that often 
accompanies more public events. The barrage of propaganda, which 
overwhelmingly features veiled White supremacist language with a 
``patriotic'' slant, is an effort to normalize White supremacists' 
message and bolster recruitment efforts while targeting marginalized 
communities including Jews, Black people, Muslims, non-White 
immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people.
                         policy recommendations
Addressing Modern Terrorist Threats
    We need a whole-of-Government approach to address the extremist 
threat that the Jewish community, and many others, are facing and will 
continue to face in the years to come. The framework that ADL has 
created--the PROTECT plan--is a comprehensive, 7-part plan to mitigate 
the threat posed by domestic extremism and domestic terrorism while 
protecting civil rights and civil liberties. Together, focusing on 
these 7 categories can have an immediate and deeply significant impact 
in preventing and countering domestic terrorism--more so than any one 
action, policy, or law--and can do so while protecting civil rights and 
liberties and ensuring that Government overreach does not harm the same 
vulnerable people and communities that these extremists target.
   Prioritize Preventing and Countering Domestic Terrorism.--We 
        urge Congress to adopt a whole-of-Government and whole-of-
        society approach to preventing and countering domestic 
        terrorism.
   Resource According to the Threat.--We must ensure that the 
        authorities and resources the Government uses to address 
        violent threats are proportionate to the risk of the lethality 
        of those threats. In other words, allocation of resources must 
        never be politicized but rather based on transparent and 
        objective security concerns.
   Oppose Extremists in Government Service.--It is essential 
        that we recognize the potential for harm when extremists gain 
        positions of power, including in Government, law enforcement, 
        and the military.
   Take Domestic Terrorism Prevention Measures.--We must not 
        wait until after someone has become an extremist or a terrorist 
        attack has happened to act. Effective and promising prevention 
        measures exist, which should be scaled.
   End the Complicity of Social Media in Facilitating 
        Extremism.--Congress must prioritize countering on-line 
        extremism and ensuring that perpetrators who engage in unlawful 
        activity on-line can be held accountable. On-line platforms 
        often lack adequate policies to mitigate extremism and hate 
        equitably and at scale. Federal and State laws and policies 
        require significant updating to hold on-line platforms and 
        individual perpetrators accountable for enabling hate, racism, 
        and extremist violence across the internet. In March 2021, ADL 
        announced the REPAIR Plan, which offers a comprehensive 
        framework for platforms and policy makers to take meaningful 
        action to decrease on-line hate and extremism.
   Create an Independent Clearinghouse for On-line Extremist 
        Content.--Congress should work with the Biden-Harris 
        administration to create a publicly-funded, independent 
        nonprofit center to track on-line extremist threat information 
        in real-time and make referrals to social media companies and 
        law enforcement agencies when appropriate.
   Target Foreign White Supremacist Terrorist Groups.--Congress 
        must recognize that White supremacist extremism is a major 
        global threat of our era and mobilize with that mindset.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program
    The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is an essential tool in 
protecting nonprofits, including houses of worship and other faith-
based organizations. The program can be used for training and equipment 
to secure facilities, such as synagogues like the one in Colleyville, 
Texas, whose leadership took advantage of the program. Far too many 
houses of worship do not. And those that do apply have a frustratingly 
low likelihood of receiving financial relief from the program for 
securing themselves. For houses of worship, community needs should be 
more front of mind than providing for their own security or raising 
funds for security precautions.
    In the last grant cycle, 3,361 applicants requested $399,763,916 in 
NSGP grants, according to FEMA. Congress had only funded the program at 
$180 million, providing for a maximum of only 45 percent of security 
costs that nonprofits had assessed were necessary for their community's 
security. That funding gap represents almost $220 million in unfunded 
liabilities for nonprofit organizations in an era of high and rising 
threats from domestic violent extremists. While the synagogue in 
Colleyville had fortunately been aware of this opportunity--and 
received some benefits from it--try to imagine all of the synagogues, 
churches, gurdwaras, and other community pillars lacking resources, and 
further, those that lack even the awareness of the program at all. 
While it might be fair to say that not all applications for funding are 
the highest caliber, it would also be fair to note that these are 
community institutions--not professional Government contractors--
navigating complex bureaucratic requirements when they should be 
focused on their communities. In this era of extreme threats to houses 
of worship, our communities deserve more.
Recommendations for Reforming the Nonprofit Security Grant Program
    NSGP poses a significant opportunity to help secure our 
communities. Even modest reforms can provide significant support. ADL 
recommends that Congress take on the following reforms:
   Significantly increase the pool of available funding for 
        NSGP.--Funding NSGP at $360 million last year would have 
        ensured that 90 percent of applicants received funding. For 
        many grant programs, funding a small percentage of applications 
        is a signal of the competitiveness of the program; however, 
        NSGP does not fund nonprofits performing Government services, 
        it funds nonprofits who need Government support--it should not 
        be competitive, it should be helpful. We should expect even 
        more applications in the future, as more organizations should 
        be made aware of the program, and the threat trends show an 
        increase in risk. As such, $360 million is the minimum amount 
        that community organizations need to secure themselves in this 
        era of severe risk.
   Scale outreach and engagement to increase the applicant 
        pool.--Not enough States avail themselves of the program, and 
        many community organizations are not aware of it. Following the 
        Colleyville tragedy, ADL heard from many community partners 
        that they were not aware of the funding available. While ADL 
        can make partners aware of the opportunity--and urge State 
        governments to increase their efforts within their States--DHS 
        must step up. DHS should significantly increase engagement with 
        communities and with State governments to broaden the number of 
        applicants seeking support from the program.
   Scale outreach and engagement to guide applicants.--
        Nonprofits like houses of worship are not Government 
        contractors; the burdensome bureaucratic requirements of 
        Federal funding applications may be familiar to organizations 
        with direct experience applying for Federal grants, but for 
        most NSGP applicants, applying is a new and unusual process. As 
        such, DHS should increase its guidance to potential applicants 
        on how to be successful when applying for funds. Applying for 
        NSGP grants should not be a competition, pitting congregation 
        against congregation. It should be a way to support all 
        communities under threat.
   Broaden the spectrum of eligible grantee expenses.--NSGP 
        funds can be used for security training and equipment to guard 
        against threats that are ``terroristic.'' ``Terroristic'' is 
        not a term many applicants may be familiar with. Moreover, it 
        should be interpreted as broadly as possible, such as including 
        threats from domestic extremist organizations based on the 
        tactics those organizations use. As such, safeguarding against 
        cyber crimes, such as hacking a website, and other targeted 
        harassment that bears the hallmarks of the behavior of hate-
        based movements that sometimes use terrorism should be 
        allowable expenses. The interpretation of guidance on expenses 
        should track the guidance on threats provided by DHS and other 
        law enforcement and intelligence entities, which note that 
        domestic terrorism represents the top terrorist risks to 
        Americans domestically. The full scope of domestic terrorist 
        tactics should be considered when making programmatic 
        decisions.
   Provide full support to DHS to faithfully execute a scaled 
        program.--Grant management is a technical skill, and oversight 
        is incredibly important for large funds. DHS should not be 
        expected to adapt to the heightened threat environment without 
        further resources to ensure funding is spent effectively and to 
        provide necessary outreach. DHS should receive additional staff 
        and other resources to administer the program, as well as new 
        funding streams for additional outreach to potential 
        applicants.
   Ensure transparency and oversight in the administration of 
        the program.--While DHS must be empowered to help community 
        members secure themselves, it cannot be allowed to operate 
        without careful oversight. We must acknowledge that some 
        communities may feel less empowered, not more, when seeing DHS 
        increase its resources. The program should be reviewed through 
        a civil rights and civil liberties lens. Further, it is 
        difficult for the public to determine how funding has been 
        dispersed: DHS should release a public, annual report on the 
        program, and Congress should ensure that the resources provided 
        to DHS for this objective are being used proportionate to the 
        evidence of terroristic threats.

    Chairwoman Demings. With that, I thank the witnesses for 
their valuable testimony and the Members for their questions. 
The Members of the subcommittee may have additional questions 
for the witnesses and we ask that you respond expeditiously in 
writing to those questions. The Chair reminds Members that the 
committee's record will remain open for 10 business days.
    Without objection, the subcommittee stands adjourned. Thank 
you all so much.
    [Whereupon, at 12:23 p.m., the subcommittees were 
adjourned.]

                           A P P E N D I X

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                     Letter From Yeshiva University
                                  February 8, 2022.
The Honorable Val Demings,
Chairwoman, House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on 
        Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery.
The Honorable Kat Cammack,
Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on 
        Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery.
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin,
Chairwoman, House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on 
        Intelligence & Counterterrorism.
The Honorable August Pfluger,
Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on 
        Intelligence & Counterterrorism.
    Dear Chairwomen Demings and Slotkin and Ranking Members Cammack and 
Pfluger: Yeshiva University is the world's premier Jewish institution 
for higher education. Rooted in Jewish thought and tradition, it sits 
at the educational, spiritual and intellectual epicenter of a robust 
global movement that is dedicated to advancing the moral and material 
betterment of the Jewish community and broader society, in the service 
of G-d.
    Our students study at our four campuses: Wilf Campus (500 West 
185th Street), Israel Henry Beren Campus (245 Lexington Avenue) and 
Brookdale Center (55 Fifth Avenue) in Manhattan, and the Jack and Pearl 
Resnick Campus in the Bronx (Eastchester Road and Morris Park Avenue). 
The undergraduate schools offer a unique dual curriculum comprising 
Jewish studies and liberal arts and sciences courses, and our graduate 
and affiliate schools offer tremendous opportunities for graduate and 
professional studies. While part of a multifaceted University 
community, each school retains the intimate character of a smaller 
institution.
    Our schools include Undergraduate Studies at the Stern College for 
Women, Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva College and Yeshiva 
University Summer Classes. For Graduate Studies our schools and 
affiliate schools include the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 
Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, 
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Bernard Revel Graduate School of 
Jewish Studies, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, The Katz School, 
Sy Syms School of Business Graduate Studies, the Wurzweiler School of 
Social Work, and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS).
    For students who choose to begin their YU education in Israel, the 
S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program is the formal arrangement between 
Yeshiva University and yeshivot and seminaries in Israel. This program 
provides structure, support, and guidance for the more than 600 young 
men and women who study in Israel each year. We also have two affiliate 
high schools Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls, 
The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy--Yeshiva University High School for 
Boys. Some of the world's leading minds make their home in Yeshiva 
University's classrooms. Beyond a commitment to research and writing, 
YU faculty members engage and inspire their students, drawing them into 
a continuing pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. They value close 
interactions with their students and the opportunity to engage with 
students outside the classroom setting, whether it's meeting informally 
to continue a discussion started in the classroom or collaborating in 
the laboratory on new research.
    YU alumni have gone on to become distinguished rabbinic leaders, 
world political leaders, business giants, and philanthropists. Alumni 
have achieved immense success and made significant contributions to 
society and the Jewish community both nationally and worldwide. They 
serve, lead, and inspire by example: A testament to the University's 
greatest resources--our students and faculty.
    Situated in one of the most vibrant cities of the world with 
unparalleled diversity, Yeshiva University is actively involved in its 
surrounding community, both at the uptown campus (Wilf) and the midtown 
campus (Beren).
    The heinous acts directed at the Jewish community occurring across 
this great nation is a reminder that even in this day and age, anti-
Semitism still has the power to poison minds. It is a reminder that we 
do not have the luxury of ignoring this most ancient of hatreds. And 
together we must battle not just the evils of anti-Semitism but all 
racism and bigotry as they rear their ugly heads in this generation.
    While all must continue to fight against this evil, our government 
should provide the requisite level of resources to help protect 
defenseless institutions.
    Yeshiva University offers its strong support for increasing the 
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). As Majority Leader Chuck 
Schumer noted at a recent speech at the Young Israel of Woodmere on 
Long Island, New York, less than half of New York-based applicants 
received funding under the program. An increase in program funding 
would greatly benefit not only the Jewish community, but help protect 
the vulnerable. Sadly, recent events underscore the vital importance of 
ensuring that this program is funded at a robust level.
    Thank you for holding this important hearing.
            Sincerely,
                                                Ari Berman.

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