This morning, Mr. Harvey Blitz, president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization representing nearly 1,000 synagogues – joined other religious leaders at a White House meeting with President George W. Bush to discuss the Administration’s initiative to increase partnerships between government and faith-based social service providers.

Mr. Blitz issued the following statement in connection with the meeting:

The Orthodox Jewish community is pleased that President Bush is committed to increasing the partnership between government and faith-based institutions so that we may bring greater energy and determination to redressing many of America’s social ills. While we must be careful that these programs are administered in a religiously sensitive and constitutional manner, there is, I believe, a broad consensus that faith-based groups can serve the needy in a manner beyond the capacity of government programs. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations is eager to cooperate with President Bush in this critical effort as we strive for tikkun olam – the perfecting of our world.