Rep. Malliotakis Announces $1.4 Million In Security Funding For JCC Staten Island

Malliotakis Announces $1.4 Million in Security Funding for Jewish Community Center of Staten Island

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) announced more than $1.4 million in federal funding for the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Staten Island for its Joan & Alan Bernikow and Nancy & Ronald Avis facilities. This funding will be used to make critical security upgrades to in light of growing terror threats and a rising number of antisemitic attacks in New York City.

“For more than 90 years, the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island has provided members of New York’s Jewish community and our entire borough with a place to gather with friends, expand their knowledge and participate in recreational activities,” Malliotakis said.

“Unfortunately, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of antisemitic attacks in our city over the past two years and more must be done to protect those of the Jewish faith from hateful rhetoric and violence. I’m proud to have helped secure more than $1.4 million for the JCC to make critical security upgrades to its facilities and allow the center to continue providing these resources to the community without fear of being attacked.”

Specifically, the funding will be used to modify the main entrance to add an arctic entryway to the existing structure, install shatterproof sliding doors and windows, replace the existing curtain wall with a structurally enhanced curtain wall, expand the entryway to allow room for a security guard in the main entrance, renovate the exterior to support the creation of an extended entranceway which will include energy-saving glass doors and replace secondary entrances and fire egress doors at the Early Childhood Center.

“I want to thank Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for securing this funding to support security upgrades for our buildings. As we know, Anti-Semitism has sadly been on the rise in our community,” said Orit Lender, JCC CEO. “As a Jewish organization, we take security extremely seriously. We are so grateful to Congresswoman Malliotakis for her commitment to helping us keep the thousands of people who walk through our doors safe.”

ABOUT THE JCC

The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island was founded in 1929 with the goal of creating a home for the Jewish community by offering social, recreational, and educational activities. Over time, that mission expanded to help anyone who walked through the doors of any of our facilities. The JCC has become a true community center—not just for the Jewish community, but for the entirety of Staten Island. Programs serve the needs we see in our community and are constantly expanding to meet new demand. We serve people of all walks of life, from young children to seniors and everyone in between. The JCC is proud to offer services that help improve the quality of life for people on Staten Island and beyond. We strive to help those in need as well as provide recreational and educational opportunities for our members. The JCC of Staten Island is dedicated to encouraging harmony throughout the community by providing facilities and programs that are open to all regardless of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Everyone is welcome at the JCC.

Banner Image: Government building. Image Credit – Ambrose Prince

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

In January of 2019, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez was sworn-in as the youngest woman and youngest Latina ever to serve in Congress. Her first piece of legislation was the Green New Deal resolution, which envisions a 10-year national mobilization, akin to FDR’s New Deal, that would put millions to work in good-paying, union jobs repairing the nation’s infrastructure, reducing air and water pollution, and fighting the intertwined economic, social, racial and climate crises crippling the country.