Some New Jersey Legislators Question State Construction Funding Award To Jewish Rabbinical School

Yesterday's Newark Star-Ledger reports that in New Jersey, some Democrats are questioning the inclusion of a large, all-male Orthodox Jewish rabbinical school among the institutions of higher education that will participate in the $1.3 billion of state financing for construction at New Jersey colleges and universities.  The 6,600 student Beth Medrash Govoha, based in Lakewood, is scheduled to receive $10.6 million for a new library and academic center.  Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says that the school essentially has a religious test for admission.  Students who wish to enroll must speak Hebrew, know Jewish sacred texts and agree not to date during their the first six months at the school. The school's vice president denies that it imposes a religious test, saying however that the school does have strict educational standards.  The head of the school, Rabbi Aaron Kotler, traveled with Gov. Christie to Israel last year, and the Orthodox Jewish community has endorsed Christie in his race for re-election. The higher education bond bill passed last year originally would have excluded schools that primarily train ministers, priests or rabbis, but that limitation was removed after a lobbyist retained by Beth Medrash Govoha met with New Jersey legislators. The state legislature has 60 days to reject the governor's list of schools that will participate.