Mayor de Blasio’s instructions to religious schools that participate in his pet project of universal prekindergarten has outraged one of his liberal allies.
Guidance provided to religious schools by city officials in May allows them to screen potential teachers based on their religion “to the extent permitted by law,” use religious texts “when presented objectively” and give lessons in other languages such as Yiddish and Hebrew.
The official document, first revealed by the Jewish community newspaper Hamodia , has infuriated the de Blasio administration’s traditional partners at the New York Civil Liberties Union.
“We are deeply disappointed in the ill-advised retreat from the foundational principle of the separation between church and state,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.
“Yeshivas, temples, churches and madrasas have every right to teach religious education, but on their own dime — not with taxpayer money,” Lieberman said. “This guidance is a green-light for city-funded discrimination based on religion.”
Officials pointed out the city has contracted with religious groups on various projects, including pre-K, for decades.
About 60% of all pre-K programs in the city are now operated by community-based organizations, including Jewish, Muslim and Christian centers.
“When a provider meets our high standards, we welcome them to be a part of our efforts,” said Deputy Mayor Richard Buery. “That includes programs run by parochial institutions with which we have worked to provide pre-K for decades.”
Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, said religious schools would respect the separation of church and state.
“Anybody who takes one cent from government has to follow, and will follow, the letter and spirit of the law,” Niederman said.
With Corinne Lestch
