Re: “Cities around the world welcome 2026 with thunderous fireworks and heightened security” (Dec. 31, Nation & World):
As a involved citizen and member of a Seattle synagogue, I understand how very important it’s for us to maintain our establishments secure and congregants protected. I’m urging Congress to lastly go the bipartisan Pray Secure Act so that each one faith-based communities can keep safe earlier than one other tragedy strikes.
I’ve felt the concern that comes when your sacred area instantly doesn’t really feel secure. As violence has elevated, our personal congregation scrambled to determine what to do. It has taken our synagogue years to place collectively an honest safety plan.
Equipping our faith-based establishments to be safe issues extra now than ever earlier than. In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League documented 9,354 incidents within the U.S.; 12% of these incidents occurred at synagogues. The Pray Secure Act would create a one-stop federal clearinghouse so synagogues, church buildings, mosques and different faith-based organizations can simply entry safety finest practices and discover ways to apply for federal security grants.
I urge Congress to go the Pray Secure Act. I hope I can sometime inform my youngsters: Each spiritual neighborhood can safely collect and pray with out concern.
William Mowat, Bellevue
