March 14, 2000

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America - through
its Institute for Public Affairs - expressed its disappointment with a
ruling by a Florida state judge declaring that state's school voucher
program, the first statewide one in the nation, unconstitutional.

The program allows students in Florida's worst performing public schools
to receive up to $3,389 in the form of a voucher to use toward tuition
at the private or parochial school of the student's choice.  The judge
ruled that Florida's state constitution prohibits any public funds from
being used for schools other than public schools.

It is expected that the ruling will be appealed directly to Florida's
Supreme Court.

In the wake of the ruling, Institute director Nathan Diament stated that
"the Orthodox Jewish community will join with those fighting for
educational equity and opportunity for Florida's children and defend
this program on appeal.  It is very disappointing that legal
maneuverings are being used to block educational opportunities for those
children that need them so desperately.  We are confident this ruling
will be reversed."