of Orthodox Congregations Asks Bar on Religious Teachings in Public Schools

Rigid exclusion of denominational religious teach## from the public schools was demanded today by the Union of Orthodox Jewish ##gations of America, in a statement issued as an aftermath to the contoversy ##ed by a ruling of a New York City education official that Christmas Carols ##her observances with a religious content not be used in the schools under his ##division.“Religious liberty and freedom of conscience are now, as ever, the corner- ### of our national and state constitutions and of the American way of life,” statement said. Imposition of sectarian teachings upon children in the public ##ls is at once an attack upon the Constitution, upon the public school system ##pon religion.

The Orthodox group points out that “it is impossible to introduce rites ##ractices identified with a particular group without at once causing an imposible on the others,” despite any attempts to equalize the time allotted to the ##rent faiths or the emphasis given each. It suggests that an inter-denomination-##ody be set up to devise a program of “spiritual inspiration” for the public ##ols which would not offend believers of any faith or non-believers.