Solving the Yeshiva Tuition Crisis

Commenting on Jonathan Isler’s editorial of July 1, 2008:

I agree on the following points:

1) we can’t be content with the existing flawed and broken system & structure.

2) our Rabbinical leadership needs to step up to the plate

3) The discriminatory, embarassing, and inapproriate scholarship process must be eliminated.

4) the boards and tuition committes operate without transparency and accountability to parents

5) organize parents into collective bargaining entities (caveat: as long as it is done positively and not negatively. Our schools are not our enemy.)

6) our established leaders are not leading

7) We are Jews. We solve lots of enormous problems. We can solve this one.

I disagree on the following points:

1) Gold Tier/Silver Tier – this automatically sets up a two class system. Nonetheless, it would be more of an incentive to be exempted from attending the annual dinner, than to be allowed to attend.

2) Pressure Rabbinical leasership – this is a dubious, unproductive, and ultimately corrosive practice.

I would add:

1) Board members and tuition committee members should be parents at the school, chosen by parents at the school.

2) It is the responsibility of the entire community to ensure all Jewish children get a Jewish education, whether or not you have children in school. This is halacha.

3) It’s a dangerous choice to accept money from the State. Be careful what you wish for, and even more careful if you get it.

Having run a tuition assistance organization in Baltimore for the past 5 years, I believe I have some insights worth considering.