UAHC in Precedent-setting Action

In a precedent-setting action, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) endorsed the principle of Reform Jewish day schools as a “valid educational option” while rejecting public funds for the support of private education.

By a two-to-one margin, delegates to the UAHC’s 58th biennial convention voted yesterday to develop curricula and materials for “full-time Reform Jewish schools,” and to prepare training programs for teachers and administrators. The 3,000 delegates also voted “to provide guidance and counsel to those congregations and communities that are considering the establishment of such schools.”

Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the UAHC, hailed the adoption of the resolution, declaring: “The vote moves our religious community toward a future of greater self-reliance. It gives us a way to harvest the fruits of our deepening commitment to Judaism without betraying our universalist concerns.” A similar resolution had been defeated twice before at previous UAHC conventions.

Yesterday’s resolution said, in part: “The UAHC reaffirms its commitment to the principles of public education and calls upon our congregations and our Commission on Social Action to develop programs aimed at encouraging our congregants to involve themselves actively and directly in efforts to strengthen their local public school systems.”

The resolution opposed tuition tax credits for private schools and called for more federal funds for education programs designed to help minority, disadvantaged and disabled students. The resolution added: “Today many public schools are plagued by economic, educational and social problems. It is incumbent on the Jewish community to be deeply involved in the struggle to strengthen and re-invigorate our public school systems.”

The resolution noted with “pride and appreciation” that about 10 Reform Jewish day schools are already in operation, and that other congregations are currently exploring the establishment of such schools.