Women's American ORT: Resolutions

resolutions

Commitment and Challenge
Women's American ORT welcomes the opportunities that come with change. We are developing the next generation of women leaders, working as advocates on a spectrum of issues and, above all, supporting the global network of ORT schools providing technological education in a Jewish environment.

We take great pride in the fact that Women's American ORT has been consistent in its commitment to supporting public policies and initiatives fostering a democratic society. Our resolutions were updated and adopted by our membership at its First Triennial National Convention in Washington, D.C., in July 1998. They reflect our concerns and authorize action for voluntary participation on local, state, national and international levels.

With our resolutions, we firmly renew our commitment to aggressive advocacy. Our traditions and concerns demand no less.

Our Resolutions on:
Education in a Democracy
Church and State
Civil Rights and Liberties
Family Issues
Israel
World Jewry and International Human Rights

Organizations we work with:
Working Group on Girls of the NGO Committee on UNICEF
New York Women's Agenda
National Jewish Coalition for Literacy

Education in a Democracy
Women's American ORT has a continuing commitment to support and enhance quality public education. Derived from the ORT program with its emphasis on practical education for productive employment, Women's American ORT's advocacy role in support of public education has grown in signifcance.

We believe in public education as a principle safeguard against ignorance, inequity, and discrimination and the focal point of democratic responsibility, understanding and equal opportunity. Therefore we resolve to:

Reaffirm our:
•commitment to seeing that every man, woman and child in the United States is literate! We heartily advocate the involvement of volunteers and applaud their participation in local literacy projects for adults and children.We proudly endorse the implementation of Women's American ORT's "Love Reading Campaign" and welcome individuals who share our concern to join in this effort.

•endorsement of programs that move students into English fluency.

•obligation to closely monitor the development of charter schools (new public approved and funded institutions)to ensure that they are: used for public education only; fiscally sound; operated within constitutional boundaries; not in violation of anti-discrimination laws; and publicly accountable for their methodology and results.

•support of local school boards who are resisting: the incursion of religion into public school curricula; the censorship of educational material; and the attempts to teach "scientific creationism."

Continue to oppose:
•all school vouchers, both as a church/ state issue and as a serious drain of funds needed to maintain and improve our public education system.

•censorship of educational materials, including but not limited to texts, library books and the Internet.

•institutionalized prayer in any form, spoken or silent, whether led by students or other individuals.

The success of the global ORT network of schools enables Women's American ORT to utilize its experience and expertise on behalf of the American educational system. Members join with congressmen, representatives of governmental agencies, parents, teachers, unions, business, industry and other community organizations to actively support the passage of legislation that will promote:
•career education and vocational education programs for local elementary and high school students.

•expansion of career awareness, apprenticeship and school- to- work programs.

•importance of technology as both a course of study and as a teaching tool.

•public schools that are safe, disciplined and drug-free.

•early childhood education programs such as Head Start.

•affordable child-care with adequate regulations to ensure safety through standardized requirements, licensing, background checks of child care providers and ongoing staff training.

•provisions for students with disabilities.

•public schools that uphold high academic and occupational skills standards.

•programs that target educational funds for high poverty areas.

•programs that emphasize the importance of parental involvement in their children's education.

•programs that allow educators to continue their professional development.

•opportunities for college students to work in impoverished areas and earn money for a college education.

•teaching the values and responsibilities of a democratic society, emphasizing tolerance and diversity

•adoption of Holocaust studies with the emphasis on historical and accurate data as a required unit of study in every school.

•elimination of all forms of gender bias in public education, including athletics.

•dissemination of information on teenage pregnancy (sex education) and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; as well as information on health, nutrition and substance abuse.

Church and State
We reaffirm our strong support for the firm wall of separation between church and state as a fundamental tenet that enables our democracy to secure the rights of all citizens, regardless of religious persuasion. We endorse all legislation which guarantees non-interference with religious practices in accordance with the United States Constitution. At the same time, we urge our members to be vigilant regarding the sponsors, intent and impact of legislation regarding religious freedoms.

Aware of the dangers posed by increasing challenges to the First Amendment's establishment clause, Women's American ORT opposes:
•school vouchers, which would provide financial aid to private and parochial schools at the federal, state and/or municipal levels.

•use of public property, including public schools, for religious displays. While Women's American ORT respects the important role that religion plays in shaping private and public morals, it believes that religious articles should not be on display in any public arena, including courtrooms and any other governmental areas which are meant to represent the impartial, objective application of a secular rule of law.

•publicly sponsored religious programs and public institutionalized prayer. Women's American ORT strongly affirms the rights of citizens, including students, to engage in private, voluntary, non-coercive prayer and to discuss religion with willing participants.

•public funding for religious child care and other charitable choice initiatives which would result in the allocation of public funds to institutions that can, and often do, discriminate in hiring based upon religious belief..

Civil Rights and Liberties

The true measure of our democracy lies in our civil rights and liberties. Women's American ORT, strongly believing in traditional constitutional guarantees and Bill of Rights protections, actively supports:
•registration of all eligible voters.

•dissemination of information that encourages citizens to know the issues and to exercise their right to vote.

•freedom from acts of censorship.

•equal rights for all regardless of race, age, gender, disabilities, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.

•affirmative action as beneficial to women and minorities. Women's American ORT encourages the review and update of current programs in order to guard against abuses and ensure fairness. We reaffirm our belief in the continuing necessity to actively promote equality and individual opportunity for all Americans.

•strong and broad domestic counter terrorism legislation and enforcement while maintaining the appropriate civil liberties' safeguards.

•efforts of media groups, software vendors, and Internet servicers to rate sites and provide filters based on violence and adult content. Recognizing the First Amendment rights of free speech and association, Women's American ORT applauds these steps to allow individuals to exercise their right of self censorship.

Women's American ORT has a strong tradition of actively supporting efforts to combat anti-Semitism, racism and any other manifestation of hate or discrimination. We therefore encourage our members to:

•establish and join coalitions with like-minded groups to bring these concerns to the attention of the community-at-large.

•monitor and report incidents of bias crimes to the appropriate authorities.

Family Issues: Women and Children

Women's Issues:
Issues affecting women today are national in scope and a barometer of social change. Our membership continues to strongly support equality for women in every sphere of life and continues to advocate for:
•reproductive freedom for all women.

•federal, state and local ordinances to assure freedom of access to clinics, freedom of access to doctors performing legal abortions, and continued resistance to challenges to these freedoms before the United States Supreme Court.

•ratification of appropriate international conventions that assure freedom from discrimination against women and protection of women's rights.

•workplace and job training equity, including job sharing, "flex-time" and family leave security.

•continued availability of information on family planning, adoption, abortion and health care.

•educational programs geared toward prevention of teenage pregnancies.

•freedom from sexual harassment and physical and mental abuse with appropriate legal remedies, protection and redress.

•equal treatment in financial transactions, especially the granting of bank loans.

•legal and special protection from all forms of domestic violence.

•increased medical research specifically relating to women's medical needs.

•legislation and programs that protect the confidentiality of genetic and medical support information which could impact on both job security and/or insurance eligibility.

Children's Issues
Public policy affects every American. Women's American ORT provides an arena for education and discussion on public policies and issues and strongly urges members to communicate its positions and policies to all levels of government.

The future of the United States depends on the well-being and education of its children. It is imperative that we continue to support:
•full funding by the federal government of early intervention programs for children.

•enhanced funding of affordable child care with adequate regulations to ensure safety through standardized requirements, licensing, thorough background checks and ongoing staff training.

•programs which protect the health and welfare of needy children and families and help them move from poverty to economic self sufficiency.

•anti-crime strategies that render communities safer for families, assuring the protection of children.

•legislation to eliminate "sweat shop" conditions that exploit women and children in the workplace.

Israel

Israel is central to Jewish life. As we celebrate its 50th birthday, Women's American ORT's solidarity with Israel and aspirations for her well-being remain unshakeable.

The ORT Israel program is vital to Israel's strength and prosperity. As the largest single contributor to the World ORT Union, Women's American ORT reaffirms its commitment to maintain and increase its financial and moral support for the ORT Israel network.

Women's American ORT is hopeful about the continued momentum toward a durable peace in the Middle East. Our members join with people of good faith throughout the world in the fervent wish that a strong, secure, independent Israel will soon be at peace with its neighbors. In full recognition of the fact that Israel alone must make the difficult decisions affecting its security, we resolve to:
•urge all parties to actively pursue further Arab/Israeli reconciliation and to develop regional economic and security arrangements to promote the peace.

•urge the United States government to continue its facilitation of measures that will assist Israel and her Arab neighbors in their efforts to reach and then implement a peace agreement.

•reinforce the importance of a strong United States-Israel relationship, founded on shared values and the advantages of a strategic partnership.

•support the United States' commitment of foreign aid to Israel.

•advocate for improved ties between the United Nations and Israel, and Israel's acceptance in the Western European and other Nations regional group, which is essential to her full participation in the Security Council and all bodies of the United Nations.

•support efforts to combat terrorism which continues to threaten Israel's physical and economic security.

•stress our consistent support for the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel's undivided and eternal capital.

•bolster ORT Israel's leadership initiatives in sharing its educational and technical expertise through joint projects with Israel's peace partners.

Progress in the peace process will help create a positive climate for economic growth and stability in Israel. Women's American ORT therefore pledges to:

•support the concept that Israel remain a safe haven for all Jews regardless of the level of their religious observance or country of origin.

•urge the government of Israel to continually review its educational programs to meet the needs of all its citizens, especially with respect to the specific and special needs of new immigrants.

•participate in community campaigns to secure adequate funding for Israel's humanitarian needs.

•foster the sale of Israeli products in the United States and promote United States and other foreign business investment in Israel.

•encourage tourism, a major source of Israel's revenues.

•organize Women's American ORT missions for members, their families, non-members and community leaders.

•promote visits to ORT Israel schools by other tours and missions.

•encourage Jewish American and other Diaspora youth to visit and/or study in Israel.

World Jewry and International Human Rights

The struggle against anti-Semitism has always been central to ORT's philosophy. At its foundation is the immutable belief in the human dignity for all people. By improving the economic and social fabric of Jewish communities throughout the world, ORT has contributed to the survival of these communities while promoting Jewish continuity.

As a member of this international organization, Women's American ORT shares a deep concern for the security of people throughout the world and pledges its continued support to the global ORT network. We vow to:
•strengthen and expand the economic infrastructure of various countries by establishing and expanding ORT's programs.

•support efforts by the United States government and human rights groups to continually inform and make the world community aware of the dangers of racial and ethnic bias.

•intensify efforts to focus the world's attention on the events of the Holocaust to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

•continue advocacy and aid on behalf of endangered Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora.

•support United States' sanctions against nations that harbor and encourage terrorists and terrorism.

•participate in coalitions to encourage continued United States and Western Nations' humanitarian and diplomatic intervention as a guarantor of human rights under international law.

•support world-wide efforts to return to the rightful owners all assets (such as jewelry, works-of-art, insurance policies, and funds) that were confiscated from private citizens during the Holocaust era. In addition, Women's American ORT encourages the widespread dissemination of information on the process of restitution to the appropriate parties so they may seek redress.

•maintain our commitment to preserving an equitable policy on legal immigration and to protecting the dignity and human rights of all newcomers.

•support federal welfare and other governmental programs to all legal immigrants.

•monitor legislation that would limit immigration numbers and benefits.

•support the concept of United States foreign aid as a vital tool in bolstering democratic movements and safeguarding American political and economic interests.