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Dry Bones
Choices For Charity
G
et ready to learn a new term —
"charitable choice" — and to decide
how you feel about it.
The term is shorthand for a five-
year-old change in the rules governing which
private and religious agencies can receive feder-
al money for a variety of social service pro-
grams. Under "charitable choice," many more
religion-based philanthropies may be eligible
to compete for government contracts for
efforts such as drug-rehabilitation and after-
school programs.
President George W. Bush is heartily in
favor of the shift, as was his Democratic oppo-
nent, former Vice President Al Gore, so a
major expansion seems inevitable.
Hard questions remain, however. The first,
obviously, is whether the religion-based opera-
tions will use their opportunity to provide sec-
ular services to proselytize their particular
brand of belief.
Over the years, a number of religious
organizations, including Jewish ones, have
operated these kinds of government-subsi-
dized programs without significantly breach-
ing the wall of church-state separation. But
with hundreds of millions of new dollars
pouring in, the likelihood of difficulty will
expand tremendously.
Much will depend on the regulations that
state and federal agencies adopt and on how
well they monitor the recipients to be sure the
regulations are being met. This new adminis-
tration's unrestrained enthusiasm for bringing
religious values into the public policy arena —
particularly the efforts by Attorney General
Related coverage: page 22
designee John Ashcroft — is very unsettling in
the context of charitable choice.
How E:ffective?
A second concern is measuring the effectiveness
of the newly financed programs. Private and
religious philanthropies often deal with clients
who are easiest to help, leaving the really hard
cases for government programs that must
accept them. Thus we could easily see glowing
reports about the successes of faith-based pro-
grams that will contribute to a further shifting
of funds away from the government programs
that have to do the heaviest lifting.
Finally, government money means, quite
properly, government supervision, at least of
what its dollars are buying. It likely wouldn't
be a problem for the Bush administration,
but down the road, it is possible to imagine
officials using the power of the purse to
punish religious organizations that are asso-
ciated with policy positions that run counter
to the government's. And philanthropies
may find themselves too heavily dependent
on the tax moneys they have substituted for
private donations.
Faith-based operations are singularly well-
positioned to help with certain public needs
because they tap a well of energy and commit-
rnent to real improvements for the individuals
they serve.
But before they start contracting for massive
amounts of government aid, they and the
financing agencies need to write tough and
enforceable regulations to be sure that money
does not undermine the sturdy wall between
church and state. ❑
r^k 1■6A) BUSH
1N3 -11-1C
Wtitie HOUSE
L7
LETTERS
Israel Truly
Needs Our Visits
Am Yisrael Chai [the nation of Israel
lives] — The memories flash in my
personal montage of history: early
recall of studying about the land of
Israel, not just a place on a map, but
also a place whose address rests in
Jewish hearts bound through the ages
with adrenaline rushes and barely per-
ceptible pulses.
In the early days of the new state,
we in North America were midwives
to Israel's generating spirit, and were
protectively concerned for its future
development. And then we came. Six
days in June, and those days in Octo-
ber,' bonded us to Israel from these
shores. But in the millennium year,
we suddenly stopped going.
Michigan's Unity Mission to Israel,
co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit and the Jewish
News, was a statement to Israel that we
offer support during these challenging
times. Israel gave us on this continent
what no diaspora government could
provide: pride to be descendants of
Abraham and a reawakening of our
collective conscious and destiny. Most
importantly, we came "home" and
Israel welcomed us back.
When we arrived 200 strong on
this mission, Israel was there, as
always, to greet us like a long-lost
friend. "We felt so lonely," we heard
Israelis say. "We're glad you're here.
Thanks for coming. We really appreci-
ate your visit." ["Showing Solidarity,"
Jan. 19, page 26]
I kept thinking, "We owe you. We
can never repay our debt to you.
Thank you for your patience with us.
Thank you for not being angry with
us leaving you at this time. Thank you
for your silence."
I came away feeling so different
from other trips to Israel. I felt enor-
mous pride for our Federation's work
in supporting and facilitating projects
that impact our country at selective
Israeli sites. I came away inspired by
the people of Israel: the impassioned
educators, the compassionate and
determined defense forces, the diversi-
ty and appreciation for such differ-
ences, and the children's smiles. .
The eeriness of a warm, beautiful
Jerusalem night with a deafening
silence on Ben Yehudah Street, and
muted prayers at the Kotel (Western
Wall) are senses of memory I will
never forget.
A kibbutznik in her 55th year at
Ein Dor shared with me how compli-
cated it is for her Arab friends, who
have shared tragedies and joyous occa-
sions in her backyard. She can't imag-
ine what it is like for them.
"We just want to enjoy each other's
friendship," she tells us. "Then two
months ago, they closed the road to
Tel Aviv because of the situation."
And then she adds, "We feel lonely.
Thank you for coming."
1/26
2001
35