Statement from the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit
The Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit supports efforts of "ALL Kids First" to oppose passage of legislation or a Michigan Constitutional amendment that would permit vouchers or other plans to direct public dollars to private education. The position opposing vouchers printed below was adopted in 1997 by the Jewish Community Council Board of Directors after a year-long period of study and deliberation.
Jewish Community Council
Position on Vouchers
Adopted by the Board of Directors, 4/1/97
The Separation of Church and State is a crucial hallmark of American democracy that has allowed religion to flourish in our country. Likewise, public education has been and remains a training ground for democracy for generations of American youth. After careful review of changing circumstances and priorities within the Jewish community, and after consultation with a broad spectrum of Jewish community members and representatives of other constituencies, the Jewish Community Council maintains its historic support for a strict separation of church and state and unwavering support of public education.
Therefore, the Jewish Community Council opposes voucher or scholarship plans that would allow public funds to flow to private or parochial schools. The Jewish Community Council values the educational experience provided by Jewish day schools and continues to support appropriate governmental benefits, such as transportation, secular text-books and police and fire department services, currently available to private and parochial schools.
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