The constitution calls upon the state to be neutral toward religion, not hostile towards it. But other Jewish groups, such as the Anti-Defamation League, say materials bought with government money, particularly computers, could be diverted for religious purposes. Abba Cohen, counsel for Agudath Israel of America, a fervently Orthodox organization, called the decision a strong endorsement of equal participation by private school students in federal education programs. Many Orthodox schools rely heavily on Title VI or Chapter 2 funding, federal programs designed to aid private religious education. Whether Wednesday's decision could be used to strengthen the argument for school vouchers is unclear.
Vouchers provide government funds for students to attend parochial or private schools.
The decision is a victory for the Clinton administration, which has proposed connecting every classroom to the Internet, including those in religious schools. But the decision may create problems for many states, said Marc Stern, co-director of the American Jewish Congress' legal department. Stern noted that many states have restrictions on state funding for parochial schools, which will now be called into question. The AJCongress is also dismayed with another Supreme Court ruling handed down Wednesday, which upholds the Boy Scouts of America's policy to bar gay males from serving as scoutmasters. In a statement, Norman Redlich, chair of both the governing council and the law and social action commission, linked the New Jersey Boy Scout case as one of discrimination that Jewish organizations should oppose.