A bill sponsored by Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York to provide state grants to non-public schools to cover their expenses mandated by the State, was passed at the closing session of the New York State Legislature. Rabbi Moshe Sherer, executive president of Agudath Israel of America, estimated that the elementary and high-school Yeshivos in New York will receive $1.50 million from this program beginning with the opening of the new school year in September. Rabbi Sherer labeled this bill “a first step,” but pointed out that “it does not address itself to the educational needs of the non-public schools which are in the throes of a serious financial crisis.” The Mandated Services Bill covers such expenses as maintaining attendance records, administering examinations and keeping pupil health records. “The battle must now move forward until Justice is done for the non-public schools which should not be compelled to independently finance their costly secular education programs to the point of financial breakdown,” Rabbi Sherer said. “The first-round victory should not make us lose sight of our main objective, and we will press forward for the passage of the Parent-Aid Bill.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.