Over the past year, a unique coalition encompassing all local day schools, community Rabbis and lay leaders has been working intensively to address the systemic issue of Day School affordability in a strategic, sustainable manner. This group, known as Jewish Education for Generations (JEFG), provides an unprecedented opportunity to work across our entire day school network and the broader community to identify and execute solutions to the challenge facing Day School parents. At this point, JEFG is the only such integrated, nondenominational network in the United States.
The broad agenda for JEFG includes a necessary combination of cost savings initiatives, revenue generation programs and private/public funding sources for Day Schools. Many aspects of this agenda involve partnerships with other organizations such as UJA, YU and Avi Chai Foundation that see JEFG as a unique platform to drive new ideas and approaches. Underlying all JEFG efforts is the belief that the funding model for Jewish education must change so that it is viewed as a communal obligation.
NNJKIDS is the first step in reorienting our community that the responsibility for funding Day School education should not be borne solely by parents but should be shared by the broader community. Over time, funds raised through NNJKIDS will help offset burgeoning scholarship needs and mitigate tuition increases. To date, close to 800 families from over 30 synagogues, including Rinat Yisrael, are contributing to the NNJKIDS community fund at an annualized rate of approximately $370,000. Rinat’s role in this effort is crucial in reaching the goal of 100% communal participation.
On Monday night, over 50 Day School and community leaders gathered for a very special event to mark the first distribution of NNJKIDS funds. (visit http://www.nnjkids.org/distributionevent.aspx to view pictures and listen to an audio file of the event). Approximately $185,000 was distributed, based on a per capita formula. Importantly, 100% of all monies raised (minus credit card fees) have been directed to the schools thanks to a grant from the Avi Chai Foundation which is covering all administrative costs related to NNJKIDS. Donations will now continue to all schools each quarter as NNJKIDS continues to receive funds.
We thank all those involved in NNJKIDS and the close to 800 families across Bergen County that have contributed thus far. This program has become an amazing model of how to begin changing the communal mindset and has engendered interest across the country. For NNJKIDS to continue its success, we need all members of Rinat to participate. It is clear that synagogue participation has been an important ingredient in fueling enrollment as well as creating critical dialogue in our community around this issue. The goal has been, and remains, 100% participation from the community, including parents and non-parents of Day School children. If you have not yet done so, please go to www.NNJKIDS.org and enroll - while the suggested contribution is $1 per day, any level will be appreciated.
While NNJKIDS is not the total solution, it is a critical beginning and an important enabler of other revenue generating initiatives that can be even more economically transformational.
Once again, we thank NNJKIDS for all of their great work and look forward to sharing future developments and accomplishments with you as time goes on.
Congregation Rinat Yisrael
Printer-friendly version