NASHUA – Citing what he called a “rise in anti-Semitism around the nation,” Temple Beth Abraham of Nashua President David Sacks said officials appreciate the portion of $150,000 in federal funding they will receive to enhance security.

“We have not specifically received a threat, but we don’t want to want to wait for a threat. We want to make sure people feel safe,” he said on Friday.

“We want to be ahead of the curve,” Sacks added.

Friday, U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, all D-N.H., announced the Department of Homeland Security awarded more than $4 million to New Hampshire. Also, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is granting the $150,000 to seven houses of worship throughout the state. This program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Along with Temple Beth Abraham, other New Hampshire houses of worship slated to receive portions of the $150,000 include:

• Bedford Presbyterian Church.

• Bethany Congregational Christian Church in Greenland.

• First Congregational Church in Littleton.

• Chabad of New Hampshire in Manchester.

• Temple Adath Yeshurun in Manchester.

• The Etz Hayim Synagogue in Derry.

This is the first time New Hampshire institutions are receiving assistance through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Funds from this program support terrorism prevention and preparedness at the state and local level, including ensuring that law enforcement has the equipment and training necessary to prevent terrorist attacks and save lives if attacks do occur, officials said.

“No American should ever feel afraid or endangered while worshipping,” Shaheen said in announcing the grants.

“As domestic and foreign terrorists alike target places of worship, malls, and other gathering places, it’s sadly more important than ever that community organizations have the resources they need to mitigate the impact of an attack-and that local and state law enforcement have robust infrastructure to prevent and respond to attacks,” Hassan added.

Sacks said temple officials are planning several projects, including additional security training and reinforcement of the facility’s windows.

“It is a fine line. We don’t want to turn our temple into a fortress. We want people to feel safe and welcome,” he said.

For their part, Kuster and Pappas said they are determined to make sure Granite States, of all faiths, feel safe during services.

“Terrorism poses a significant threat at home and abroad, and it is critical that we do everything we can to combat these hateful and deadly acts of violence,” Kuster said in referring to recent mass shootings across the nation.

“It is a sad reality that churches, synagogues, mosques and other places where the faithful gather have been sites of violent attacks. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our families and neighbors, and these federal funds will help secure vulnerable facilities and local law enforcement have the resources and training needed to keep people safe,” Pappas added.