Whereas studies consistently show that Jewish day school education in the United States improves the chances of a lifetime commitment to living Jewish values and mitzvot, strengthens Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people, and serves as a key entry point to serving the Jewish community as clergy, educators, professionals, and volunteer leaders; and

Whereas affordability is a major concern that deters families from enrolling their children in Jewish day schools; and

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly continues to support strong public schools, and have opposed voucher programs or policies that directly reduce funding for public school education; and

Whereas the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 enabled the establishment of Scholarship Granting Organizations, regulated by each state, to allow federal tax credits of $1,700 per individual tax payer in return for equivalent donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO’s) for the purpose of reducing the cost of private education, which would include Jewish day schools; and

Whereas this new law allows for the creation of Scholarship Granting Organizations that would have the potential to collect and distribute collected funds for scholarships to lower Jewish day school tuition costs; and

Whereas under the stipulations of the law each individual taxpayer/donor may donate up to $1,700 to an SGO and receive the full amount back as a tax credit – not a charitable deduction – in their taxes, resulting in no net expense; and 

Whereas individuals may choose to direct their contributions to the Scholarship Granting Organization that best aligns with their priorities, whether supporting Jewish day schools, other faith-based schools, charter schools, or even public schools, in accordance with applicable law and state regulations; and

Whereas such funds would have a massive impact on the ability to recruit, enroll, and retain  many new students in Jewish day schools in the United States, who might not otherwise be able to attend,¹; 

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly supports efforts by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and local Jewish schools and organizations to establish Scholarship Granting Organizations; and

Be it further resolved that rabbis, synagogues, and other community organizations will encourage their members and donors to generously support those SGO’s; and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly will advocate for and call upon the Jewish community to advocate for regulations at the state and federal level to ensure that SGO’s avoid all forms of discrimination and bias in their administration and distribution of their funds; and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly will continue to advocate for quality public education, ensure the safety Jewish students, and advocate for curricula and environments that are free of antisemitism.

[1] JFNA’s 2024 Surge data indicates that parents are actively evaluating different school enrollment options, including Jewish day schools