Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg wants to double federal funding for security at houses of worship after “calls for violence” during a vile protest outside a historic Manhattan synagogue.
The 32-year-old candidate running to replace outgoing House Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan) in New York’s 12th District unveiled a plan to double funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) that goes toward various nonprofit organizations and religious institutions to harden their security.
“Houses of worship remain targets and they really do need help,” he told The Post.
Jack Schlossberg wants to better protect houses of worship. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The grandson of President John F. Kennedy actually rolled out the proposal to hike funding to at least $500 million from $270 million a day before anti-Israel protesters targeted Park East Synagogue with chants of “Globalize the intifada” and “Death to the IDF” on Nov. 19.
The hateful demonstrators also heckled congregants as they entered the building for an event hosted by a Zionist organization that helps American Jews immigrate to Israel.
“They were not political protest points in my opinion, they were calls to violence,” he said. “I don’t think New Yorkers will stand for that.
“We’re living in unprecedented times and uncharted territory where antisemitism has reared in its head in a way that I think scares a lot of people so I condemn those statements.”
The protest took place outside Park East Synagogue. Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA / SplashNews.com
Schlossberg noted his paternal grandfather, Alfred Schlossberg, was a past president of Park East Synagogue. Schlossberg said he was raised Catholic but considers himself culturally Jewish.
Schlossberg said if he’s elected to Congress, one of his first bills would be to boost NSGP funding, and work to fast track the spending proposal straight to the House floor for a vote to avoid possible delays.
The protest was condemned by elected officials across the city. Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA Press Wire
Dubbed the “Jack-Fast-Track” plan, Schlossberg said some of the added funds that come from FEMA would go to synagogues, community centers, Jewish schools, mosques and churches.
The grant funding for nonprofits improves physical security enhancements and activities while increasing coordination between private and public officials, according to FEMA’s website.
“The other night was at a synagogue, but it could have been at a church, it could have been at [St. Patrick’s Cathedral], it could’ve been at a mosque,” he said. “And we need to ensure that these houses of worship are safe.”
Schlossberg, who is known for his controversial social media videos and posts before he became a candidate, is among nearly a dozen candidates running in the wealthy district to replace Nadler, who has served in Congress for more than 30 years.