Washington Wire
May, 2004 Vol. 6, No. 2

The 2004 election season is upon us and the rhythms of Washington are complicated. Nevertheless, opportunities remain for making progress on many of our key issues and we are pleased to update you once again.

PRIORITY ISSUES

Support for Israel – In these critical days, the OU’s Washington Office is working in close concert with the broader pro-Israel community in support of Israel’s security and well being. We were engaged in efforts to secure the passage and, more recently, implementation of the Syria Accountability Act, defending Israel’s construction of the security fence and are preparing to work in support of this year’s foreign aid appropriation for Israel.

Homeland Security – In the wake of the events of 9/11/01 and subsequent events around the globe, the Jewish community and its institutions have become much more concerned with their physical security and their ability to withstand, God forbid, a terrorist attack. Over the last few months, the OU/IPA has joined with United Jewish Communities and other concerned groups to develop a proposal by which federal funds would be made available through the Dept. of Homeland Security to assist non-profit institutions – including synagogues and day schools – in improving their physical security. Negotiations to develop this proposal within the Jewish community were difficult, but we succeeded in producing a legislative proposal which many Jewish groups are supporting and has bipartisan sponsorship in Congress. See http://www.ou.org/public/statements/2004/nate10.htm for a description of the proposal.

Education – We have continued to make progress in achieving greater equity for special needs children through the process of reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the federal government’s primary funding program for special education services. We have been working over the past year with key staffers and allies toward improving IDEA’s treatment of special needs students in non-public schools. Too often, children with special ed. needs who attend religious schools are underserved by this federally funded program. We must improve the processes and accountability measures for ensuring that all eligible children, including those attending Jewish schools, receive IDEA funded services. Last year, the House passed its version of IDEA and this week the Senate passed its version of the reauthorization bill in which we secured language that addresses our concerns further. We will work to further improve our provisions in the House-Senate conference committee which will produce the final version of the reauthorization bill. See more information about this issue at http://www.ou.org/public/Publib/speced.htm

The school voucher pilot program for Washington, DC was successfully passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year. This measure, initiated by President Bush and supported by DC Mayor Tony Williams (D) is the first federally funded school voucher program.

Defense of Marriage With the issue of the legal recognition of same-sex marriage front and center in America’s public debates, and with some Jewish leaders expressing – in the name of Judaism – support for same sex marriages, the OU has clearly stated our opposition to such recognition and our support for a federal constitutional amendment. See http://www.ou.org/public/statements/2004/nate9.htm

Faith Based Initiative - To our disappointment, the bipartisan proposal known as the CARE Act (a package of tax incentives for increased charitable giving plus a $1.5 billion increase in federal social service grant funding) remains the victim of internecine Senate politics, despite having previously passed the Senate and House by overwhelming votes. Prospects for its final passage and enactment are dim. With regard to the broader issues associated with this initiative, OU/IPA Director Nathan Diament recently testified before a House Subcommittee hearing on their current status. The testimony can be accessed at http://reform.house.gov/CJDPHR/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=878 Nathan Diament also assessed disturbing developments on the religious liberty front in a recent op ed - http://www.ou.org/public/news/bfaith04.htm

Religious Liberty - ‘WRFA’: The Workplace Religious Freedom Act, sponsored by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and John Kerry (D-MA) remains a top priority on our policy agenda. We have a record number of co-sponsors in the Senate and a commitment from Senator Santorum to bring this critical measure to a vote this year.

JUDICIAL DOCKET

In late February, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Locke v. Davey. While we were disappointed with the high court’s rejection of Davey’s claim that the state could not revoke a scholarship it awarded to him solely because he chose to major in religious studies, the ruling was narrowly tailored and contains significant passages that will assist our cases in the future. For further information and analysis of this important ruling, visit http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=52

The OU/IPA filed an amicus brief with the appellate court of the District of Columbia in order to defend the viability of the Beit Din system in America. Litigation associated with OU member congregation Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah of Washington, DC yielded a trial court ruling that secular court enforcement of the clause in the shul’s bylaws’ requirement to submit disputes to a Beit Din would be violate the “separation of church & state.” While not taking a position on the underlying dispute, the OU/IPA brief opposed this ruling and defended Beit Din clauses and their enforcement by secular courts.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Leadership Mission to Washington On March 25, the OU/IPA held its annual advocacy day in Washington. OU members from around the country participated in a stimulating program which included: meeting with the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Justice Department, a luncheon with several U.S. Senators (including Corzine, Clinton, Coleman, Santorum, Specter and others), a meeting with Israel’s Deputy Ambassador and a conversation with Elliott Abrams of the White House National Security Council.

Rabbi Weinreb at The White House On May 6, OU executive vice president Rabbi T.H. Weinreb participated with President Bush in the White House observance of the National Day of Prayer. Rabbi Weinreb was one of 3 clergymen to participate in the event to which the OU/IPA facilitated several other OU synagogue rabbis being invited. Video of the event, including Rabbi Weinreb’s remarks and those of President Bush, can be viewed under the May 6 section of http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/index.html

Governor Ehrlich Meets with Community On May 6, the OU/IPA facilitated a meeting between the Hon. Robert Ehrlich, Governor of the State of Maryland and leaders of the Orthodox Jewish community in Silver Spring and other suburban-D.C. communities. The discussion was very positive and productive and laid the groundwork for the OU/IPA to work with the Governor on matters of concern to Maryland’s Orthodox community. See http://www.ou.org/public/statements/2004/nate14.htm

FOND FAREWELL

OU/IPA Associate Director Josh Sussman will leave our offices shortly as he and his family make aliyah to Israel. Josh joined the OU/IPA when we opened our Washington Office 5 years ago. He has been an invaluable member of our team and we wish him, his wife Romi, and their sons much hatzlacha in their wonderful endeavor.

 

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