Focus Areas > Domestic Issues > Issues > Religion/State

Religion/State
Central to the issue of “separation of religion and state” is the appropriate role of religion in public life and the protections provided in the Constitution to all Americans regarding religious freedom.  Jewish life in the United States thrives, in part, due to these protections.  Preserving the “wall of separation” between religion and state in public schools and government ensures that Jews and other minority groups are shielded from discrimination. 

The Religion-State Task Force meets, as needed, to address and take action on current concerns on the state and national levels. The JCRC provides ongoing education and advocacy on Religion-State issues:

• Every year the JCRC distributes Jewish holiday calendars to public schools to help in developing schedules so that members of the Jewish community will not miss significant opportunities because of their religious obligations. 
• The JCRC distributes December Dilemma-Guidelines on Religion in the Public Schools (click on the link to download).
• The JCRC coordinates Religion in the Public Schools Workshops through Cooperating School Districts or for individual schools. 

For more information contact Gail Wechsler, Domestic Issues Director, at (314) 442-3894 or gwechsler@jcrcstl.org