SCOTUS Charter School Case a Chance to Dramatically Expand the Promise of Religious Liberty

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the public policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, pointed to tomorrow’s Supreme Court hearing of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond as a critical moment for religious liberty and religious education in America.

OUA’s executive director, Nathan Diament, will attend the arguments on Apr. 30. OUA also filed an amicus brief in support of St. Isidore in March, urging the Court to strike down the Oklahoma board’s revocation of the charter school’s contract.

“This case isn’t just about one school. It’s about equal access to essential public resources for religious students across the country,” said Nathan Diament. “Too many states have discriminated against faith-based schools, denying their students critical services that every other child receives. As our brief to the Court argues, the Supreme Court has issued several rulings in recent years holding that state governments cannot discriminate against religious institutions in government programs. Yet, states – like Oklahoma in this case – still do so in defiance of those rulings. The Supreme Court needs to make clear once and for all that such discrimination is totally unacceptable.”

“This is a landmark moment for the Jewish community and all religious communities who seek to educate their children in line with their values while participating fairly in public programs,” Diament continued. “Religious liberty means the freedom to participate, not just the freedom to exist.”

Why This Case Is Important for Jewish Schools

The ruling holds profound implications for thousands of religious schools across the United States, including Jewish day schools, whose students receive millions of dollars in basic services, including busing, special education for students with disabilities, enhanced security, and supplementary educational opportunities.

Furthermore, a ruling in favor of the charter school could clear the way for the creation of Jewish charter schools, giving millions of Jewish students access to a free Jewish education.

For more information about the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center and its initiatives, visit https://advocacy.ou.org/.

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