local
State Extends Nonprofi t Security Grant
Program, Jewish Spaces to Benefi t
P ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed
into law on Nov. 3 an amendment
to extend the Nonprofi t Security Grant
Program until 2029.

Th e grant program, created to give
funding to nonprofi t organizations
looking to bolster the security of their
facilities, serves many Jewish faith-
based organizations. Administered by
the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime
and Delinquency, the grant was created
in 2019 as part of Act 83 in response to
the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue
shooting the year prior and was approved
to last fi ve years total.

Since its implementation three years
ago, the grant has given $20 million
to diff erent nonprofi t organizations,
including synagogues, Jewish commu-
nity centers, mosques and churches. In
2021, 30 of the grant recipients, receiving
$1,293,401 in combined grant allocations,
were Jewish organizations in the Jewish
Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s fi ve-
county perimeter.

“Th e need is clearly there,” said Robin
Schatz, Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia director, government
aff airs. “Especially as antisemitic inci-
dents increase.”
Jewish leaders felt the extension of the
grant program by another fi ve years was
necessary to meet its high demand. Last
year, about 20% of applicants received
funding, according to Hank Butler, exec-
utive director of the Pennsylvania Jewish
Coalition. In 2019, 17% of applicants
received funding. In 2020, the number
was 30-35%.

“Th e argument is simple — that peo-
Decidedly Different.

Decidedly Engaging.

You’ve worked hard for these carefree days and now
it’s time to enjoy them. A day at our continuing care
retirement community might include a session in
the floral design studio, a book discussion group, and
outdoor yoga. Plus, Philadelphia’s cultural resources
are close at hand. Contact us today to find out more.

(610) 359-4400 | www.dunwoody.org
3500 West Chester Pike • Newtown Square, PA 19073-4168
A Continuing Care
Retirement Community
Five-Star Rated Healthcare
Independent Living • Rehabilitation • Personal Care • Skilled Nursing • Memory Support • Home Care
8 NOVEMBER 10, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Pet Friendly
House Bill 397 will amend Act 83
and extend the Non-Profi t Security
Grant Program until 2029.

ple who are applying are not getting
[funding],” Butler said. “Th is whole thing
started because instead of being reactive to
hate crimes and violence, we wanted to be
proactive in protecting our communities,
our communal facilities, our JCCs, our
sanctuaries, our synagogues, mosques,
colleges. Th is was a way of doing it.”
In addition to extending the Nonprofi t
Security Grant Program for the next fi ve
years, the bill will give the grant program
a line on the budget, making it easier to
allocate funds in advance. Money for the
program will be set aside to be allocated
during the passing of the budget. Jewish
leaders hope for a budget allocation of
$5-10 million annually.

Th e commonwealth’s Senate and
House of Representatives passed the bill
with bipartisan support.

“In the days since 9/11, security and
heightened security has resonated more
with everybody,” Schatz said.

When Butler advocated for the passing
of the bill and met with local caucuses,
the rhetoric of his arguments remained
the same, he said. Most politicians rec-
ognize growing security concerns as an
issue they need to address.

Antisemitic attacks continue to loom.

On Nov. 3, the FBI offi ce in Newark, New
Jersey, issued a warning about “credible
threats” to area synagogues.

According to Anti-Defamation League
Philadelphia Regional Director Andrew
Goretsky, 21 Jewish institutions reported
antisemitic activity in the Philadelphia
area in 2021, and 22 reported the same
in 2020 — more than twice the number
reported in years prior.

“The five-year extension of the
grant program demonstrates that
Pennsylvania’s leaders understand the
urgency of antisemitism and the neces-
sity to secure religious and communal
spaces,” Goretsky said.

Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia Community Security
Director Scott Kerns — who was
appointed at the end of September as
part of the Jewish Federation’s partner-
ship with Secure Community Network
— recently toured several Jewish com-
munity spaces and consulted with
leaders on how they can best enhance
campus security. In many cases, this
includes installing new security cam-
eras, lights in the parking lot or doors
that require key cards to open.

“One of my biggest jobs is to take a
look at each facility, because every facility
is diff erent, and look to do what we can
to harden that facility, so that it is less
of a soft target for some kind of attack,”
Kerns said.

At the same time, Kerns understands
that Jewish community spaces are not
“Fort Knox,” he said. Balancing increased
security while maintaining a welcoming
culture will be a growing challenge for
synagogues and JCCs.

While some people may feel safer
attending events knowing that there will
be increased security, the same precau-
tions can make others nervous. Kerns
said it’s his job to tell people that these
security measures are a necessity that
allow for the continuation of everyday
life in Jewish spaces.

“We want openness. Th at is very
important,” he said. “But we also need
security.” JE
srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Photo by Miljan Živković / iStock / Getty Images Plus
SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER



COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
financial and volunteer resources to address the
communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

T Jewish Federation Brings on
Law Enforcement Veteran
Scott Kerns from SCN
he Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia launched an
expanded community security initiative in partnership with
the Secure Community Network in late September.

SCN is the official safety and security organization for the Jewish
community in North America.

Designed to significantly increase safety and security, this con-
certed effort is for all those who participate in synagogues, day
schools, community centers, service organizations and other centers
of Jewish life throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Serving as Greater Philadelphia’s full-time security executive
is public safety expert and law enforcement veteran Scott Kerns,
who assumed the role of community security director on Sept. 28.

Leveraging the national resources and tools of SCN, Kerns is focused
on the development and administration of a comprehensive program
that provides risk mitigation, security consultations, assessments and
training to Jewish institutions throughout the region. In addition,
Kerns serves as the Jewish community’s main liaison to local, state
and federal law enforcement in the region.

An integral part of this community-based role, Kerns leads edu-
cation and awareness training through SCN’s flagship training
courses, such as “Be Aware: Introduction to Situational Awareness,”
“Countering Active Threat Training” and “Stop the Bleed.”
Community Security Director Scott Kerns from Secure Community Network joined the Jewish
Courtesy of Scott Kerns
“As America faces dramatic increases in antisemitic threats and Federation of Greater Philadelphia on Sept. 28.
incidents, Jewish communal security has never been more import-
ant,” said Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO Michael the local effort.”
Balaban. “Through this new partnership, we will enhance our commitment to
Before joining SCN, Kerns served as a special agent in the New York and
security and ensure we are applying a comprehensive, best-practice approach. Philadelphia Divisions of the FBI from 1998 to 2022. He worked in a variety of
Scott’s extensive experience makes him a tremendous asset for this effort.”
programs, including white-collar crime, technical operations, organized crime,
Philadelphia joins the growing network of Federations and communities that international terrorism, crisis management and recruiting.

have partnered with SCN to launch community-wide security programs to ensure
Among his many assignments, Kerns helped direct security efforts for major
the safety, security and resilience of the Jewish people. Each program is connected events, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City Marathon,
to SCN’s national operations, providing direct access to SCN’s National Jewish New Year’s Eve in Times Square, United Nations General Assembly, Super Bowl
Security Operations Command Center and Duty Desk, as well as best-practice XLVIII and the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia. Most recently, he served as
security resources and support related to physical security, facility assessments, a supervisor in the Joint Terrorism Task Force squad and the Crisis Management
life-saving training, critical policies and incident response.

program in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia security program was made possible through professional
Among his extensive experience, Kerns served in the Marine Corps from 1992
support from the Jewish Federation and SCN, funding from collaborative efforts to 1997, attaining the rank of captain.

of the Jewish Federation and other local donors, and national donor support
Kerns has been recognized with the FBI Medal of Excellence, the Federal
from SCN and LiveSecure. LiveSecure is the partnership between The Jewish Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year award and the Attorney
Federations of North America and SCN to fund and create a collective security General’s Award for Exceptional Service.

framework. “It’s an honor for me to continue working in Philadelphia and to contribute to
“SCN strives to ensure the safety, security, and resiliency of the Jewish people the safety and security of the Jewish community,” said Kerns, who holds a bach-
by creating a security shield over the Jewish community in North America,” said elor’s degree in accountancy from Villanova University and a master’s degree
SCN National Director and CEO Michael Masters. “The heart of this effort is the in telecommunications management from the Stevens Institute of Technology.

establishment of a comprehensive security program in each Jewish population “I look forward to leveraging my professional experience and community rela-
center, led by a full-time security professional. We are honored to partner with tionships to help everyone become more prepared and resilient against all forms
the Federation and thrilled that in Scott we have a seasoned professional to lead of threat.”
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 9