Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization representing nearly 1,000 synagogues, hailed this morning’s decision by the United States Supreme Court which declared the City of Cleveland’s school voucher program constitutional. In reaction to the landmark decision, the Union issued the following statements:

Harvey Blitz, president of the UOJCA stated:

The Orthodox Union and its constituency are thrilled with this court decision. We are proud of the role we have played in the school choice movement over the last four decades. Today, the scores of “friend of the court” briefs and other activities in support of placing educational decisions in the hands of parents have paid off. We look forward to working with all who support educational excellence, religious liberty and parental empowerment to craft and implement school voucher programs throughout the nation.

Nathan Diament, the UOJCA’s director of public policy stated:

Today the Supreme Court has again championed the principle that the Constitution demands neutrality toward religious, not hostility. As critical and encouraging as this decision might be, no one should be under the impression that the fight for religious liberty and equality is over. It is appropriate that today’s ruling comes on the heels of yesterday’s federal appeals court decision declaring the Pledge of Allegiance an unconstitutional establishment of religion. The logic upon which that decision was based is the identical logic subscribed to by voucher opponents and the four justices who dissented from today’s decision. They believe the public square must be sanitized from all things religious. They are wrong, and today a majority of the Supreme Court properly said so.