For Immediate Release
May 23, 2012
Contact: Nathan Diament
202-513-6484

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – commended former Governor Mitt Romney for his policy proposals designed to expand school choice.

In an address today, Gov. Rommey called educational opportunity the “civil rights issue of our era” and the “challenge of our time.” He proposed several initiatives including expansion of the Washington DC Opportunity Scholarship Program and permitting students receiving federal education aid expanded options for enrolling in the schools of their choice.

Nathan Diament, the OU’s executive director for public policy, stated:
“Education opportunity and reform is a paramount priority for the Orthodox Union and our constituency.  We appreciate Gov. Romney’s proposals and we look forward to a meaningful discussion of education issues in this year’s campaign.”

Yehuda Neuberger, the OU’s public policy chairman, stated:
“Gov. Romney’s proposal to have federal education funds ‘follow the student’, rather than become mired or diluted in a trickle down process, is most commendable. It will ensure that scarce federal education dollars more effectively support the educational needs of eligible children.  Too many students – in Jewish and other nonpublic schools – who are legally eligible for federally funded education services never receive them. Gov. Romney’s aggressive proposal would remedy this problem.”

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