Earlier today, Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law several laws relating to school reform and school choice. The Orthodox Union (Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, released the following statement:
These laws enacted today by the Legislature & Governor Daniels help families get the help they need so their children can get the education they deserve.
Lower & middle income families with children in public schools can receive scholarships to attend any other public or private school, including parochial ones while all families in Indiana are helped by a $1,000 tax deduction for educational expenses such as books and computers. As well, by expanding Indiana’s tax credit program and expanding the charter school opportunities throughout Indiana, these bills help ensure educational opportunity for all.
As supporters of constitutionally permissible aid to families, students and schools and aware of the Jewish community’s historical dedication to education, the Orthodox Union is pleased to see and proud to support the enactment of these reforms for all Hoosier families and hopes they serve as a model to other states as to a way forward to ensure quality education for all children across the United States.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
3 Responses
But since most frum Jews choose to live in “Blue” (Liberal/Democratic) states, what good do changes in funding schools do us. Maybe we should be trying to migrate towards “Red” (Conservative/Republican) states.
Dear #1:
Are you serious? This is a good thing…don’t seek the negative, please. I’m sure the frum Jews in your area are perhaps questioning your logic/statement. If one wishes to move to a “red” state, then by all means move. However, there are fewer, yet still important, “blue” Jews in the midwest. Let’s be positive.
There is a very strong likelihood that this will be overturned by the courts, as Indiana has a Blaine Amendment”
Ind. Const. art. I, § 6: “No money shall be drawn from the treasury, for the benefit of any religious or theological institution.”
Are Jewish Day Schools really “non-religious”???