TRENTON — Beth Medrash Govoha, a massive yeshiva in the heart of Lakewood, will be eligible to dip into $750 million in state funding for capital projects if a November referendum is approved by voters.
The borrowing legislation was amended Thursday so that “all private, nonprofit, licensed institutions of higher education are eligible for grants under the bill, without exception,” according to bill language. Final legislative approval is expected next week.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Tom Kean, R-Essex, said that without the change, “schools such as, for example, the yeshiva in Lakewood would be (among) the excluded. They would now be allowed to participate because the majority of their students are not rabbinical students.’’
That follows a national trend of religious schools gaining more access to public dollars, and it’s a marked change from New Jersey’s previous 1988 bond issue for higher education.
That legislation specifically excluded the money from being used at “any educational institution dedicated primarily to the education or training of ministers, priests, rabbis or other professional persons in the field or religion.”
Josh Pruzansky, who lobbies for the Jewish community, said the schools added to the proposed borrowing “can have some benefit. This is something I think the senators looked at and wanted to change.”
The Lakewood yeshiva, which has more than 6,000 students enrolled, is among the state’s 14 accredited rabbinical schools, religious institutions, and theological seminaries.
“The bond funding could be helpful. We have a variety of capital needs,” said Moshe Gleiberman, vice president for institutional affairs at the yeshiva, adding that some of the other “Jewish institutions of higher education may not have eligible projects, as the funding cannot be used for religious purposes.”
The borrowing bill, in another change, now specifies that all schools that receive grants must pitch in 25 percent of the cost of projects.
That would ease the burden on community colleges, which previously were responsible for a 50 percent match.
“We’re thrilled with the legislation,” said Jacob C. Farbman, spokesman for the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “Initially we were concerned and wanted to make sure there was an equal process for all schools. We’re grateful to the senators who proposed the change.”
read more APP
Great! More money for BMG Corporation!
They have more money than they can spend!! How would they qualify for a grant? This is just another example of the rich being greedy and wanting more and more. Where would the money go, into a large slush fund..... they are the last to need money. This money would just give them more power to control more people.
In an APP article dated 6/22/12 headlined -
"Seminaries could get funds from state-Beth Medrash Govoha, a massive yeshiva in the heart of Lakewood, will be eligible to dip into $750 million in state funding for capital projects if a November referendum is approved by voters."
Well, we all know that BMG will get some of the money. They want to expand even though they do not have the land to do it on. They do not even have enough parking for their students, who must park on the streets.
Question - how much will Georgian Court University be able to get? They also want to expand and they have the property to do it on, with plenty of parking for their students.
Oops - my error. I forgot that Lakewood told GCU they could not expand on the property they own.
(moderated) only does for himself not for anyone else ask anyone!
1) Chemed
2)Princeton ave.
3)Dormitory on forest
4)Board of ed rental at chemed
5) Singer....
6)(moderated)job at chemed
7)(modrated)job at tree of knowledge
8) ( moderated) ( no help)
9) Center ( contract with board of ed)
How long are we going to remain silent!!!!!!!!!
If the government would only know how bmg will be spending those millions............
Listen guys, AK did more for the yeshiva then me and you, face it, and admit it. Of course he has personal interests, but you would have the same, he's running a yeshiva that gets new building when they need them, gets toilet paper when needed, has the most lavish meals, all covered etc. This all costs money and lots of it, so stop bashing the guy, because when you think into your own dealings, you do the same.
To Anonymous says:
Jun 24th, 2012 10:27 AM
No BIAS here is there!!!!!!!!
This is why our country is in deep financial trouble, no government Federal, State or Local should be spending pubic tax $$ for anything that is privatetly owned PERIOD..........................
To be honest, GCU is allowed to expand on their property. The issue was that they insisted on opening an entrance onto a quiet residential block. The neighbors are rightfully concerned about the traffic, parking, noise, pollution, and safety issues. If GCU would have agreed to the original suggestion of openiing up the entrance onto Forest Ave or onto Lakewood St, they would have gotten all the approvals to expand on their own property.
That said, remember that any money that BMG gets from the state is coming from us, the taxpayers.
it is interesting that a Commitee memeber somehow got a job with Tree of Knowledge, is that just mazel? or it is one of the perks of politics?
BMG will have the land to expand once they have the land on Cedarbridge Avenue
Lakewood is where all the Gashmius and Tanugei Olam Hazeh is even Toronto is not as Megushem as Lakewood
Tree of knowledge is AK cousin wake up and know your news.
I'm curious why I haven't seen a word yet about the new Board attorney who charged 149K for the first month in office. This is public knowledge look at the board agenda online.
Ak has the most power face it he uses everyone then throws them in the dumps welcome to his world all he wants is for himself.
3 Years ago at the BMG Tent event Gavriel Finkel was sitting at the Dais some one started Yelling at him calling him a Moser and A Rasha Finkel got up and made a quick Dash for the Exit he has not come to the tent party since that incident however Shenky the Moser still enjoys a spot on the Dais somethings never change
Quote "BMG will have the land to expand once they have the land on Cedarbridge Avenue"
Really ???
and just how is that going to happen , I have faith in the justice system that in fact will never happen . the whole thing with what has taken place with the back door deals with that property stinks like rotten fish
I would love to see an audit of BMG's income over the years to see exactly how much taxpayer money they have been getting in grants and favors, and from which politicians pulled strings to get the money to them.
Now will they raise the kollel check?
Lakewood's Tent city is forming themselves into a seminary so the could get funding & be exempt from all zoning laws.
@ 8:20
BMG is a private institution. You have no right to see their income statements.
The feds think they may need cedarbridge to incarcenate all of those involved in all of the corruption going on. They'll even be able to have a local kolel, vasikin, mishmeres haboiker, night kolel, lunch kolel, sandwich kolel, etc
I wish you were referring to post-high school seminaries for girls. We just sold our house and moved into tent city to pay for our daughter's year in Israel---all so it wouldn't be a glaring omission on her shidduch resume.
Yes indeed the new BOE law firm has already billed the Board $149,000. In just their first month in office!! They fired Michael to lower our taxes by cutting that heavy salary of his, ha ha. Now ther pay 149 in their first month! Michael didn't get that in 5 months!!
Tree of knowledge is AKs cousin???
Tree of knowledge is AKs cousin?
AK was at the meeting with orthodox leaders last months at the WH with Pres. Obama. I saw him in the picture in Mishpacha. Nice.
look what happened to H=======M who worked years on getting chemed off the ground 1 fine day he took his access away and poof hes gone after years of work he threw him out like a dirty tissue
Rabbi Yisroel Schenkowleski the official Mouthpiece (Mosser) For Lakewood and BMG was sitting in his seat of Horror at the BMG tent event at Blue Claws Stadium which was Donated by his Rebbe Bob Singer at the taxpayers expense
The political power that BMG has is what gets it in on the freebees that are offered, so it goes that the more power the more freebees, the more freebees, the more power, and it keeps building without ever being stopped!
TO: 2:55AM
That is exactly my point! they are a private institution and can hide all their income. I think, no money till they show where they used it and why they need it, and not just put public into their general fund kitty.
Gavriel Finkel was not at the BMG tent party neither was he by R Slomo Millers Tent event does Finkel get along with R Shlomo Miller?
It Will all stop when they go to jail something which they have no problem doing to other frum Yidden in Town
Quote "BMG is a private institution. You have no right to see their income statements."
all the more reason to see if they are getting money that they are not entitled to
Will BMG finially raise the kollel money for thair yungerleit?
For a measly $80.00 @ week they buy the deafining silence from the gullible. Why gullible, as they received over the years way more from the Pell grants & other grants & loans that you are paying back. In essence they are not paying you a dime, they are making money off you.
I laugh you want public tax money for private schools but you wanna pick who can go to your schools depending if they are Jewish enough for you. I know a Hassidic family in Lakewood they have to move because they are modern orthodox. not good enough for your schools but their tax money is. Shame on you. Snorahs