BAKERSFIELD, CA. — Shmuel Schlanger, a rabbi at Chabad of Bakersfield is spreading a message of love in light of attacks on places of worship across the country.
"In times like these where there is such great darkness, we have to increase light, increase for all mankind," said Schlanger.
Just this past Saturday, a gunman opened fire at a San Diego synagogue, leaving one woman dead and several others injured. Another painful reason Schlanger has amped up security measures at Chabad of Bakersfield.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to set aside $15 million for increased security at places of worship through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
In a press conference Monday, April 29, 2019 Newsom said, "We all must call out hate, against and communities -- and to defend those targeted for their religious reliefs."
According to Newsom, the proposed funding will be included in his revised budget proposal later this month.
The money would go toward helping nonprofits and organizations that are targets of hate-motivated violence to improve security measures.
