ORTHODOX UNION APPLUADS PRESIDENT BUSH’S PROPOSALS TO SOLIDIFY THE FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, welcomed President Bush’s announcement in his State of the Union address that he would call on Congress to permanently extend Charitable Choice.

Charitable Choice legislative provisions govern the participation of faith-based organizations in select Federal programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Welfare to Work, the Community Services Block Grant, and programs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The provisions prohibit discrimination either for or against faith-based service organizations competing for these Federal dollars, and ensure faith-based organizations do not have to sacrifice their mission or character in order to participate. Charitable Choice also protects the religious liberty of people who are served by faith-based providers receiving these funds.

UOJCA Director of Public Policy Nathan Diament stated:

“We applaud the President’s commitment to ensuring that faith-based organizations are not restrained from providing services to their communities. Faith-based organizations play a crucial role in serving the needs of their local communities and should not be prohibited from receiving federal funds for the work they do.”

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