What do people do that REALLY can’t afford Jewish school?

amother

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 7:35 pm

Tri-state area:
Do you send to public?
Have you been able to get financial aid?
It is looking like over the next few years I won’t be able to do it (single mom, dad won’t pay).
How do I keep my kids in Jewish school?
And yes, I work full time.

amother

DarkYellow

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 7:39 pm

Have you spoken to the schools?

I don't live in tri-state area, but one year I just couldn't do it. I homeschooled that year, which was an epic fail. (I love the idea of homeschooling but the constant discipline issues meant that there was almost no learning.)

A school administrator found out about it, and took my kids in the following year for free or whatever I could afford. (A few years later thank G-d we're able to pay most of tuition.)

amother

Caramel

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 7:42 pm

I’m not sure what they do and quite frankly I’m not sure what I’m going to do , but a school that doesn’t take a child due to financials is really a school I wouldn’t want to be belonged too. It’s sickening. A school in my community kicked a boy out because of finances and I really couldn’t help myself from thinking roughly of them and the rabbis involved. How can you do that to a Jewish child? And I’m talking about a school that gets 26k a year for tuition.

amother

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 7:45 pm

I’m terrified.
I hope the schools have some kind of compassion for single mothers (I’m modern orthodox).
The field that I am in pays decently but not well enough to have a few kids in private schools.

amother [ Caramel ] wrote:

amother

Diamond

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 8:46 pm

If you really can't pay, there absolutely should be scholarships. You may not get to go to the school of your choice in your community, but there are people in virtually every jewish school that pay nothing and are totally unable. That being said I am not MO so I know usually the tuition in MO schools is a lot higher.

Oorah is specifically for people that are not in yeshiva, it's meant as an incentive for not yet religious people to send to yeshiva, not for people in difficult financial situation to be able to pay their tuition. I am sure there has to be tzedaka organizations for this though.

simcha2

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 8:55 pm

The schools that my kids have been in all have had policies not to reject kids based on finances.
Families are expected to prioritize tuition, but they won't kick out kids whose parents can't pay. They give them reductions.

amother

Indigo

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 9:07 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Is there an option to sue the dad for child support? Is he not paying any child support at all?

mha3484

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 9:23 pm

I’m in the Midwest and our schools really work with parents. There is also a lot of chesed here who help fill in any gaps. The only kids I know in public school are there for educational reasons not financial.

amother

Eggplant

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 9:26 pm

I am MO and in Teaneck. I don’t know of anyone who was kicked out of school for not being able to pay. There are scholarships funds and Rabbis have discretionary funds.
Call the school, call your Rabbi; they will help and guide you.

shaqued_almond

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 9:32 pm

You could do public school at home online and Jewish online school or hire a teacher for Jewish studies for all of your kids. The children would need to be a little older though (starting 6-8 years old). And possibly a sitter (also depends on age). Some places have learning pods where you can drop your kids off. Those pods are basically micro schools but legally you would need to register the children as homeschooled.but first talk to your children's current school.

imasinger

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 10:06 pm

The MO school in Boston definitely makes it possible for parents in your situation to send their kids.

It's embarrassing to ask, and to submit your finances, but it may be your best option.

amother

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 10:56 pm

He pays child support. He won’t help with tuition. I am terrified of him.

amother [ Indigo ] wrote:

Is there an option to sue the dad for child support? Is he not paying any child support at all?

amother

DarkMagenta

Thu, Dec 02 2021, 11:12 pm

amother [ Dodgerblue ] wrote:

Try calling Oorah and Nechamas Yisroel and see if they can help you.

This.

And schools will (should!) work with you.

Community activists get involved. That should already be happening.

What kind of school doesn't work with a single mom? Have you tried? The executive directors are used to dealing with these situations.

Hatzlachah. Oy, sigh...

amother

Arcticblue

Fri, Dec 03 2021, 2:10 am

amother [ Dodgerblue ] wrote:

Try calling Oorah and Nechamas Yisroel and see if they can help you.

Oorah’s tuition program is for public school students to move to Jewish school.

amother

Winterberry

Fri, Dec 03 2021, 2:25 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I am a single mom and my ex pays for nothing. I have found the schools I have dealt with (more towards yeshivish than MO) to be very understanding.

amother

Wheat

Fri, Dec 03 2021, 2:34 am

I couldn't afford Jewish school for my children when they were in elementary and I sent to public, kippah, tzitzit out and all. I sent lunch and when I could afford I switched to yeshiva. I do have to say they had an excellent secular education, and we taught kodesh well enough that they transitioned well to yeshiva.

amother

Candycane

Fri, Dec 03 2021, 7:10 am

This is why scholarships exist, to help families in your situation. I have some experience with MO school boards and I can tell you that they have all been incredibly generous when a family needed help. Definitely reach out to the school.