Extra security for Maryland Synagogues gets funded by the state

Members of the Jewish faith may see added security at synagogues around Maryland.

Maryland officials have allocated funds for security upgrades at religious institutions across the state.

Last October, a gunman entered The Tree Of Life Synagogue, and into our country’s history.

Since then, multiple efforts have been put in around the country to protect religious institutions.

Kehilat Shalom Synagogue, as well as several others across the state, were the recipients of over $1.7 million of grant funding from the Maryland emergency management agency.

It’s an initiative to help strengthening security around various religious buildings, not just temples.

At Kehilat Shalom, security cameras, fortified doors, and even station police officers have been implemented to help fortify security at the synagogue.

“We enhanced the inside of the synagogue,” says Andrea Epstein, an administrator at the Synagogue. “We enhance all of the doors and then we ended up getting a grant from the state of Maryland, which we're using for security, for police security.”

Epstein goes on to say that police officers will be stationed at the synagogue throughout all services on high holiday.