by Amy Sara Clark

February 19, 2015

The de Blasio administration announced rule changes aimed at making it easier for Jewish schools to participate in its signature free universal preschool program. But Jewish organizations are divided on just how helpful these changes will be.

While Agudath Israel of America, an umbrella organization for chasidic and black-hat Orthodox groups, said the new rules represent “meaningful changes,” the Orthodox Union called the changes “cosmetic.”

Since the universal pre-K program was announced, Jewish schools have been asking the city to expand its half-day program in order to have time for religious instruction of the city-funded clock. But the de Blasio Administration’s goal is to provide as many full-day spots as possible and says it hopes these changes will allow more Jewish schools to participate in the 6-hour-and-20-minute full day option.

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