Original Posted 5/3/07 2:16 PM
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Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives rejected an amendment that would have extended Head Start funds to religious groups.
A coalition of religious groups, including the Orthodox Union and Agudath Israel of America, backed the Republican-backed amendment to a larger bill that would expand funding for the popular program aimed at preschoolers in low-income families, as was reported first here on Vos Iz Neias.
Most other Jewish groups opposed the amendment, which on Wednesday was defeated 222-195, because it would have allowed funds to go to organizations that display religious symbols and discriminate in hiring.
“For 35 years these fundamental non-discrimination protections have worked well, allowing thousands of Head Start programs in communities throughout the country to flourish while maintaining essential constitutional and civil-rights safeguards,” ADL National Director Abraham Foxman said.
The House passed the broader Head Start bill. [JTA]
U/D 14:49
Rabbi Nathan Diament, public policy director for the OU in Washington DC, told VIN that this bill still has to go to the Senate.
Rabbi Diament also pointed out that the white house released this statement,
“The Administration strongly encourages the House to amend H.R. 1429 to ensure that faith-based organizations are not asked to forfeit their religious hiring autonomy as a condition of receiving Head Start grants. The Administration believes that such provisions should be applied to all federally funded social service programs so faith-based organizations may operate on an equal level with every other organization competing to provide services.
The Administration will continue to work with Congress on a comprehensive approach to Head Start reauthorization to ensure that every child enters school ready to learn.
Not every yeshiva/bais yaakov runs a headstart program primarily because of the headaches involved in following governmental protocol, inspections, etc. It’s not mandatory, thankfully.
What a pity this didn’t pass.
Let’s hope it does at the next go around. G-d knows we need a break!
they dont control the curriculm
we have other funding like lunch, books, english, upk etc,
before you talk know your facts , they did hurt us big time, and like the previous post mentioned its time to get rid of the ADL
as to you suggestion that we should not depend on federal $$$ how do you expect oyr schools and yeshivas should operate , with big families most can not afford to pay tuition , and that in turn leaves deficits of millions of $$ a year that the school has to fundraise
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Shloma – i think you should change the header to – A CALL TO FIGHT THE ADL – you will get more posts and responses
Haven’t we learned from Israel?
We do not want our Jewish institutions to be dependent on government money$$$$$$
However it starts, it will end badly.
Just look at Egypt!
No, I hate the ADL, but this time they did us a big favor.
For the wrong reasons, yes.
But we do not want US Federal money to tie up our institutions!!
Do you want them to control the curriculum?!
http://www.adl.org/contact_us.asp
link to write to the ADL
tel them to “STOP” hurting jewish organzitions and families
It is HIGH TIME that we put the ADL and thier supporters on the defensive in the jewish community
they are a bunch of lefties pretending to be speaking for the jewish community , why the OU and the AUGDAH with all their power does not fight with the ADL is beyond me
lets call, email or write letter to the ADL and tell them to stop “HURTING” the jewish community