The New York State Assembly approved overwhelmingly yesterday a bill to allow school boards in the state to provide textbooks to students of private and religious schools after heated debate which involved the continuing split among Jewish organizations over such state aid.
The Ferrall-Mangano-Spano Textbook bill, introduced by Assemblyman William Ferrall, Brooklyn Democrat, was passed by 117 to 29. Among foes of the measure was the American Jewish Congress, which joined in arguments that the bill would violate the state constitutional ban on government aid to religion.
Supporters, who included a number of Orthodox Jewish groups which sponsor a network of Jewish day schools attended by 41, 000 pupils in the state, contended that the textbooks would be loaned to students, not to schools. The Orthodox groups included the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, Agudath Israel of America, Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Scyools, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States, and other Jewish religious organizations.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
