Unfortunately, there are many problems within the Jewish community. What may be the greatest problem facing the Jewish community is the continuing and growing tragedy of the massive assimilation, intermarriage and lack of connection to Jewish organization. This is due, to a great extent, to the lack of Jewish education. There has been much discussion whether educational funds should be delegated for outreach to those with less Jewish identity or to inreach to strengthen those Jews within the committed Jewish community.

In this regard, I wish to disagree with Rabbi Gil Student’s article regarding how to decide on which educational charities to prioritize (“The Best Charity,” April 26, 2018). He finds scholars of centuries ago who rule that Torah study organizations are the most important charities to support. He quotes rabbis who rule that high-level Torah study, such as the Kollel kind, should be given the highest priority. He finally concludes that elementary-school Jewish education should be given the highest priority.

I wish to inform the readership that world Jewry is being slaughtered by massive assimilation and ignorance. We must give a portion of our charity funds to organizations that educate the vast majority of Jews. This would include organizations like NCSY, Aish HaTorah, Partners in Torah, the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies, the Bnai Brith campus Hillels, the Chabads at university campuses, Gesher in Israel, The National Jewish Outreach program and many others.

We may have lost hundreds of thousands to assimilation into American society. Too many yeshivas refuse to admit children from families who are not already Orthodox. We cannot afford to lose more.

Martin Polack
Teaneck