We had all the odds stacked against us.
In September 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, I helped open a new yeshiva in Ridgewood, New Jersey, with just 20 students.
But the pandemic wasn’t our only obstacle. You see, my school—Ohr Yisroel—had a very specific mission: to provide opportunities for students who have found themselves religiously uninspired or disconnected, perhaps needing additional support or motivation in the classroom.
When it came to limudei kodesh, our approach was to make learning more accessible by removing the stigma of grading—no testing, no homework—allowing our students to find the enjoyment of learning, a passion for Judaic studies, without the fear of the outcome.
But when it came to secular studies, we had to get creative. It was important to us to not only prepare and inspire our students in religious studies but also give them the tools to excel with a top-notch secular education. And to do that you need top-notch teachers.
However, in an already competitive teacher market, and in the middle of a global pandemic and with limited resources, how do you entice qualified teachers to come teach at a small, experimental school?
Thankfully, we learned about the New Jersey STEM Program through Teach NJ, our partner that advocates for government funding and resources for nonpublic schools. The program brings experienced public-school teachers into nonpublic schools, like ours, to teach STEM curriculum outside of their normal public-school hours. Their hours taught are covered by the New Jersey Department of Education—a critical savings, especially for a school just in its infancy.
Teach NJ was instrumental in helping us identify qualified teachers and offering grant-application support as we applied for the program.
We began with just one public school STEM educator in our classroom—and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. Beyond delivering the critical instruction that’s essential in today’s world, we witnessed transformative changes in our students. Some who had previously struggled found their spark in the science lab. Others gained confidence that spilled over into other subjects and beyond the classroom. Many formed meaningful connections with the outstanding public school teachers who became a vital part of our school community.
As our students flourished and interest in STEM tracks and specialized instruction soared, we knew we had to grow. As our students thrived, and the demand for more tracks and specialized instruction grew, we increased our participation and have applied for 14 teachers through the program for the next school year—a value of roughly $400,000 in teaching services. This growth is a direct result of the success we’ve seen.
The impact of this program goes far beyond academics. It has been a cornerstone of our school’s success. By significantly reducing overhead costs, the program has enabled us to invest more in student learning. It has also given parents peace of mind, knowing their children are receiving a high-quality education led by qualified, experienced educators. Most importantly, our students feel a tremendous sense of pride in their school and their own academic accomplishments.
The proof is in our trajectory. In our first two years alone, we grew from 20 students to over 80, moving from a small rental home to a temporary facility. Today, we are approaching 100 students and are preparing to open our first permanent campus in Hackensack next year.
We must continue to support and expand the New Jersey STEM Program. Teach NJ is leading advocacy efforts for the program to be fully funded in the upcoming budget cycle, which would allow even more schools to benefit from additional STEM educators. We all have a role to play to ensure this advocacy is successful. Now is the time to raise our voices and call on our legislators to invest in this vital program.
Our school would not be where it is today without the support of the NJ STEM Program. My hope is that this initiative not only continues but grows—so more children can benefit from the kind of inspiring, life-changing STEM education that is shaping the future of New Jersey.
Rabbi Asher Yablok is the principal at Ohr Yisroel.
