To the Editor:

You're right: When it comes to faith-based initiatives, the devil is in the details ("Keeping the Faith," editorial, July 11).

Earlier this month, recognizing that both major party candidates have expressed an intention to continue the program in some form, we wrote to them recommending safeguards that would address some of the problems. 

Specifically, we called upon them to ensure that (1) government money does not fund religious discrimination in hiring and firing; (2) program beneficiaries are not subject to unwanted proselytizing or religious activities; (3) secular alternatives are available and beneficiaries have reasonable access to them; (4) accounting systems and firewalls separate government dollars from funds that support religious activities; and (5) there is a clear separation in time and location between government-funded social welfare activities and an organization's religious activities; (6) hate groups are not eligible for funds.  

Even with such safeguards, it will be difficult – if not impossible – to ensure that faith-based programs do not cross the line.  But such safeguards can go along way toward addressing the concerns of those in the Jewish community who generally favor the Faith-Based Initiative and those who oppose it.