The biggest ‘budget buster’ is of course the salaries of the teachers and administration. And that is as it should be. Gone are the days (for most schools) of starvation wages for Rebbeim and Moros, who had to seek second jobs just to make ends meet. They are now paid a relatively decent wage, although certainly not what a good teacher should make.
In my view good teachers are still underpaid and deserve a lot more for all their hard work and dedication. So we have this conundrum of wanting teachers to get paid what they deserve; pushing parents (as the beneficiaries of their schools via the education of their children) to the max; and still falling way short of meeting a budget where teacher are still not paid what they deserve.
I think everyone knows where I am going with this by now. What about a billionaires club for Orthodox Jewish billionaires. Or even a multi-millionaires. club But instead of pledging half of their considerable fortunes to the charity of their choice, pledge it to the Yeshivas, high schools, or day schools of their choice in the cities where they live.
If that were done, I think it would go a long way to solving the tuition crisis. This does not mean that parents shouldn’t pay what they can afford. Of course they should. But it might lighten their load just a bit and it would certainly ease the pressure they constantly feel.
I happen to believe (and I have no real way of knowing this… it’s just a hunch) that the money is there. If all of Orthodox Jewish billionaires and multi millionaires were to pledge half of their fortunes to the schools in their own cities – I think it might just solve the problem. And I do not think it would hurt their lifestyles – which they have rightfully earned and are certainly entitled to enjoy.
What about the other worthy institutions? I’m sure that there might even be some only left over in the other half of their fortunes for that too. Or in lieu of that – perhaps 10% of that pledge can be designated to those other worthy causes.
So to all you fabulously wealthy Orthodox Jews out there… how about it, guys? You game? You willing to ‘take the pledge’?
Of course I could be way off base on all of this. It might already be happening in a practical sense. I don’t know. Its just a thought. But if I’m right. it’s a darn good one.
Posted by Harry Maryles at 4:41 AM 70 Comments