ACLU to Challenge NJ Funding of Religious Institutions Posted on April 8, 2016 by Larry Bodine Christie administration’s grant of more than $11 million to divinity schools is unconstitutional, say ACLU-NJ, Americans United and national ACLU The ACLU of New Jersey will argue Monday, April 11, before the Appellate Division at the Hunterdon County Courthouse that the New Jersey government’s planned distribution of more than $11 million in funding to divinity schools violates the New Jersey Constitution, as well as the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The ACLU-NJ — joined by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, and the ACLU Women’s Rights Project — represents the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey and three New Jersey taxpayers. In 2013, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie released a list of 176 college construction projects to be funded by a voter-approved bond, including two divinity schools. Beth Medrash Govoha, which trains an all-male student body in rabbinical studies, was slated to receive $10.6 million. Princeton Theological Seminary was set to receive $645,323. As a result of the lawsuit filed by ACLU-NJ and its allies, the distribution of the funds has been on hold. WHAT: Arguments before the Appellate Division challenging New Jersey’s distribution of state funding to sectarian religious institutions. WHEN: Monday, April 11, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. WHO: Edward Barocas, ACLU-NJ Legal Director, arguing before the court Alex Luchenitser, Americans United Associate Legal Director, appearing in court The Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Minister with Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey, a plaintiff Gloria Andersen, plaintiff Penny Postel, plaintiff WHERE: Hunterdon County Court House, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington For more information Contact: Allison Peltzman, ACLU-NJ Acting Communications Director, 201-253-9403 or 973-854-1711 and Rob Boston, Americans United, 202-466-3234, communications@au.org
