On Friday, staff reported that Congregation B’nai Abraham in Butler will be reimbursed for up to $25,000 in security upgrades at their synagogue through a grant provided by the state.

Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer, spiritual leader at Congregation B’nai Abraham, applied for the grant through the state Nonprofit Security Grant program signed by Gov. Tom Wolf one year after the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that claimed the lives of 11 worshippers.

It is a shame — putting it mildly — that, in today’s world, antisemitism is even a problem at all, let alone a security issue on this scale.

The worry felt by the community is not unfounded. When talking to the Eagle, Gray-Schaffer revealed that she is alerted every week to reports of antisemitic incidents across the country. Recently, there was a threat against all Pittsburgh-area synagogues.

No matter your religion, your place of worship is supposed to be a place where you feel as safe as you can possibly feel. It is a shelter from the world. Faith is meant to be a comfort, a quiet surety of peace and guidance.

Now, some groups are finding it necessary to go through active-shooter trainings at their place of worship.

To say the mere reality of that necessity is sickening is also an understatement, but there is some comfort in knowing that the state is doing everything in its power to keep Pennsylvania’s minority groups safer.

While it’s impossible to say where exactly hatred is born inside each person, always remember to teach your children respect for those people who differ from you. Difference does not equate to inferiority. It’s when people feel superior that problems inevitably arise.

We commend Gray-Schaffer on her tireless efforts to keep her flock safe, as well as those outside the synagogue working to keep it secure.

— CM