Governor answers prayers for temple security

Indictment charges alleged terror conspirators with eight counts in plot to bomb synagogues.

By N. Clark Judd

Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center will each receive $25,000 from the state Office of Homeland Security, Gov. David Paterson announced Sunday.

The grants were issued in response to what prosecutors say was an attempted bombing of both institutions on May 20. Police arrested four men on Independence Avenue that night and charged them with planting what they believed to be explosives in two cars, one outside of each house of worship. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, however, had ensured the men had bombs that couldn’t actually explode.

“It is unfortunate that those who live right here in the wonderful community of Riverdale even have to feel the slightest bit threatened,” Mr. Paterson said, “but we want them to know that our state — and our federal government — is responding promptly and swiftly.”

Denise O’Donnell, the governor’s deputy secretary for public safety, said state officials would talk with institution leaders about what they wanted to spend the money on, and that the money should come within weeks.

RJC Executive Director David Winter said Monday that his center’s security committee would meet within the next week to hash out exactly what they would spend the money on.

The center already has a security camera system.

“I think even before we knew of the grant … a priority was making sure that what we have is good enough and if we need more we’d look into ways of getting it,” Mr. Winter said.

Rabbi Judith Lewis of Riverdale Temple said her congregation would likely put the funds towards plans the temple already has, but has until now lacked the money to realize.

“It’s been a priority,” she said Monday, “and now even more so, only now we’ll be able do to it without taking somebody’s salary away.”

Mr. Paterson said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Riverdale Temple member who was present Sunday, suggested the grants the day after the bombing.