LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Six different faith organizations across the Natural State operate with the same purpose— letting people worship safely. On Tuesday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Department of Public Safety, approved a Right to Worship Grant (RTWG), money that will help enhance security for groups at high risk for terrorist attacks.
"Antisemitism is not new but it is increasing and with social media, and all the new ways of communicating, people are just more aware of incidents that are happening," said Annabelle Imber Tuck, president of Congregation B'nai Israel.
Tuck said this grant will help cover the gaps they've been wanting to fill in their security ever since they received a threat late last year.
"That one time you don't do it you don't take it seriously could be fatal, so we take every threat very seriously," she explained.
Rabbi Pinchus Ciment, the head of security at Lubavitch of Arkansas, said they're focused on preventive measures as well as more personnel and security enhancements.
'"We don't want to come to the point where you have to actually engage with somebody who wants to do something harmful, we want people not to do something harmful so, we can create an environment, which is conducive now, we don't want to go through harms like that," Rabbi Ciment said.
Rabbi Ciment added that this grant will help them create an environment where they feel safe.
"We want the people to celebrate their identity, we want it to be a safe place for them to come together and pray, and pray in a public forum within the community," he said.
However, Rabbi Ciment said that receiving this grant is a double-edged sword. While he's excited to be able to help the congregation feel safer, it's sad that things like this are needed in the first place.
"I think as we go forward, we're going to make more of an emphasis on this proactive type of educational purpose that we should not ever need to have the security within the security. That means we're living in very volatile times, and we want to really educate people to know about the greatness and the sanctity of human life, that God forbid no one should ever want to cause harm," Rabbi Ciment said.