I have been following the recent debate regarding efforts to introduce a new and more affordable day school in Bergen County and I am wondering why the intense reluctance to even considering an alternative to the status quo? I am also disturbed by the Rolls-Royce vs. Chevy analogy that has been used to describe the existing day school system vs. the new one being proposed. While we as educators and parents are striving to provide the best Jewish education possible, perhaps this sudden interest by so many in a possible alternative suggests a long simmering, yet largely unacknowledged, dissatisfaction with the existing day school system and is not merely a product of the current economic crisis.

Clearly the Day School system has many laudable features, yet in some very specific ways the majority of day schools are not meeting their mandate. With regards to Hebrew language, too many students graduate after 12 years of Day School and can not even conduct a simple conversation in Hebrew. Recently the “Hebrew in America” program was launched in Bergen County to address this very problem. With regards to religious observance and spirituality, too many students and their families look towards the “gap-year” in Israel to create and cement a firmer religious foundation. Why after all of these years of Jewish education is it necessary for many to go to Israel in order to get back on track religiously? With regards to learning and internalizing good “midot”, bullying and cyber bullying are as prevalent and rampant in Day Schools as in any secular schools across the country. The question then begs to be asked, how is it that Torah values are being taught, but not transmitted and implemented in many of our Yeshivot? With regards to special needs in the mainstream schools, not all existing “frills” schools offer appropriate support services, and on the flip side too many of our students need to be medicated in order to just keep up with the traditional dual curriculum approach.

On closer examination, I’m not so sure that the Day School system, as it exists now, has in fact achieved “Rolls Royce” status. Perhaps the Rolls Royce is a lemon? Or perhaps we’ve been paying for a Rolls Royce but have been driving a Chevy all along?

The term “no frills” should be replaced with “streamlined where possible.” No one is suggesting a school of lesser quality. The discussion began with an attempt to think “out of the box” in order to preserve Jewish day school education and to make it more affordable for more families. For example, instead of paying for specialty teachers (music, art, drama etc.) perhaps finding retired parents/grandparents with the proper expertise to volunteer to provide those services.

The economic crisis is bringing about a long overdo re-examination of our schools and the high cost of Jewish education. Hopefully, by looking at everything as through under a microscope we will learn where things can be improved and what needs to be tweaked. If we all join ranks (educators, concerned parents, school board members, and community leaders) this can be a very healthy and productive process, with a positive outcome, for both the existing schools and the new ones in formation.

Dr. Tani Foger Ed.D
School Psychologist