Faith-Based Initiatives, Katrina and the Jewish Community

Liberal Jewish groups have historically opposed President Bush's faith-based initiatives. The Baltimore Jewish Times today reports that the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has created new concerns for these groups. Synagogues and Jewish day schools that have set up shelters and other relief services will have to decide whether to accept federal aid that is likely to be available to faith-based groups, and Jewish institutions damaged by the hurricane will have to decide whether to accept assistance from FEMA. There also is concern that future Federal aid packages will contain funds for religious groups to provide relief. That could put opponents of faith-based initiatives in the difficult position of opposing disaster relief.