OUR COMMUNITY

O

n Tuesday, Feb. 8, the 
House Subcommittee 
on Counterterrorism, 
Emergency Preparedness and 
Communication met to discuss the 
Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
and protecting houses of worship, this 
following the wake of the antisemitic 
terrorist attack on Congregation Beth 
Israel in Colleyville, Texas, last month. 
The hearing was led by 
Chairwoman Val Demings (D) of 
Florida. Members of Congress, along 
with a diverse group of Jewish lead-
ers, shared testimonies and thoughts 
about what the federal government 
should be doing to respond to the rise 
in antisemitic terrorism and violence 

during the virtual panel discussion. 
The witnesses included Rabbi 
Charlie Cytron-Walker of 
Congregation Beth Israel; Rabbi 
Yosef Konikov, of Orlando, Florida, 
where recent neo-Nazi rallies 
were held; Eric Fingerhut, CEO of 
the Jewish Federations of North 
America; and Michael Masters, 
CEO of the Secure Community 
Network.
From Michigan’s 8th District, 
Chairwoman Elissa Slotkin (D) said 
that as a Jewish woman, the issue 
felt deeply personal to her. 
“Rabbi Charlie is a native 
Michigander. He’s from the Lansing 
area, which I represent. His mom 

still lives there. Actually, he went to sum-
mer camp with my brother,” Slotkin said. 
Ahead of their testimonies, panelists 
shared their support of the Jewish com-
munity. Slotkin cited statistics stating 
that in the last five years, there has been 
a 60% increase in antisemitic incidents 
nationwide. “2020 marking the third 
highest amount of [antisemitic inci-
dents] since the ADL (Anti-Defamation 
League) began tracking these incidents 
in the 1970s,” she said. 
In Michigan, Slotkin says she has seen 
a 21% increase of antisemitic incidents 
— everything from graffitied swastikas 
on buildings to “Zoom bombings.”
The witnesses shared what they have 
seen throughout their Jewish communi-
ties and explained why having the nec-
essary funds to protect Jewish lives, and 
those of all faiths, is crucial. 
“All of us need to feel safe in our 
sacred space and our communities — 
and too many people, of every back-
ground, don’t always feel safe. And 
that’s heartbreaking,” Cytron-Walker 
said. “And that’s our reality. Even 
though the chances are so remote that 
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 

Lawmakers Convene 
Hearing on Protecting 
Houses of Worship

Elissa 
Slotkin

20 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 

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

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SADRULK, WIKIPEDIA

Rabbi 
Charlie 
Cytron-
Walker

