Action Center Update: Seattle Jewish Organizations Awarded Nonprofit Homeland Security Grants

Jewish Community Succeeds Again in Latest Round of Security Funding

Since 2005, Seattle's Jewish community has regularly been successful at securing funding from the Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This program helps vulnerable nonprofit organizations secure their facilities against terrorist attacks and train staff on how to respond during an attack. The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle has helped organize applications, provide critical threat information and assisted with professional expertise. In conjunction with SAFE Washington, this year more Jewish organizations applied than ever before and many of Seattle's Jewish organizations submitted successful applications. Chabad of Pierce County ($75,000), Northwest Yeshiva High School ($75,000), Temple Beth El ($2,350), Temple B'nai Torah ($72,000) and Temple De Hirsch Sinai ($75,000) were all awarded funding for a community total of $299,350.

Please take a moment to thank your members of Congress and President Obama for continuing to support this critical security infrastructure program.

Shape the Jewish Federation's Public Policy Agenda for 2012

With summer winding down, kids going back to school, and our eyes focusing in on the 2012 legislative session, the Jewish Federation wants to know what issues are the most important to you -- for our community.

Please consider taking our five minute, online public policy survey. Your input will help us shape our advocacy priorities for the 2012 calendar year.

More Than 40,000 Sign Universal Declaration of Independence Petition

In just under three weeks, 43,000 people have signed an online petition sponsored by Jewish Federations of North America, the Israel Action Network and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York opposing a Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence and encouraging a renewed focus on a negotiated peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis. More than 60 Jewish organizations from around the country, key individuals and members of Congress have added their names to this petition. The petition will be presented to the United Nations in September. Help us add more names to the Israel Action Network's petition by signing your own name today.

Anti-Israel Ads Hit Seattle Newspaper

The Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign is at it again. This time they have purchased advertising for three weeks in two local newspapers criticizing Israel and the country's security policies in the West Bank.

The Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign has become known for their factually inaccurate and inflammatory advertisements. These ads continue that practice rather than trying to foster the type of dialogue necessary to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together in order to forge a lasting peace in the region.

The only way peace between the Palestinians and Israelis will happen is through a two state solution, which can only be achieved by direct negotiations between both parties. Hyperbolic commercial or political speech pushes people in our community further apart.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will continue to encourage meaningful negotiations that have a real possibility of a peaceful solution for all parties.

Community Celebration & Campaign Kickoff

Don't forget to register for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's Community Celebration & Campaign Kickoff on Sunday, September 18 beginning at 5pm. The event will bring together all segments of our Seattle-area Jewish community for an evening of entertainment that also raises awareness and funds to meet the needs of the Jewish community locally, in Israel and worldwide. The all-star a capella ensemble, The Maccabeats, originating from New York's Yeshiva University will close the evening with a spectacular performance. Tickets are $54 per person and $180 for the patron level. Register online today. We hope to see you there!