In a moment of rising antisemitism, increased costs and political uncertainty, one truth remains: Jewish education is more critical for our community’s future than ever before. As we approach another critical election season, our community has a chance—and a responsibility—to help shape a future where every student has the tools to thrive. This is what’s at stake, and this is what you need to know.

Strategic Advocacy, Real Results

In 2015, nonpublic school families in New Jersey were receiving just $27.5 million in annual per-pupil state support—and none of it went toward school security. Seeing the urgent need, a group of day school leaders came together with a shared conviction: Our schools and families needed a stronger voice in Trenton. That effort led to the creation of Teach NJ as a dedicated advocacy effort to increase the funding and resources for nonpublic schools, including Jewish day schools and yeshivas.

Today, state support has grown to over $64 million annually for essential services like security, nursing, textbooks and technology— a 134% increase from when Teach NJ was established—alongside an additional $28 million for transportation, special services and STEM education. Notably, Teach NJ helped create two entirely new state funding streams for nonpublic schools: security and STEM.

These successes came from organized, multi-faith advocacy. They came from parents like you and lawmakers willing to fight for our children.

STEM Success:
A Model for What’s Possible

One shining example of success is the state-funded STEM program, an initiative born out of Teach NJ’s vision and advocacy. Now in its fifth year, this groundbreaking initiative enables public school teachers to deliver innovative STEM classes in nonpublic schools, at no cost to the participating institutions. Teach NJ not only advocated for the creation of this program in Trenton but works hand-in-hand with each school to recruit teachers and assist with grant submissions. Our efforts go beyond policy—we’re committed to ensuring that, from every angle, our families and schools thrive.

This year alone, schools we directly partnered with received approximately $1.8 million, accounting for 81% of the program’s total funding.

And it’s still not enough. The cost of education continues to rise. Families remain burdened. And critical programs, including those tied to safety and innovation, are at risk of being slashed.

Stay at the Table, or Risk Losing Your Seat

Let’s be clear: The government funding that Teach NJ helps secure is not permanently enshrined in law. It is allocated year by year, subject to budget negotiations and political winds.

There is a saying in politics that if you are not at the table, you are on the menu. We need to make sure that we are at the table each year, fighting for representation and for this funding. If we do not, there are many other groups that will be advocating for that very same funding. In 2019, the governor’s budget included a cut to nonpublic school funding. With community advocacy efforts, this funding was sustained.

Building Bridges

Teach NJ is proudly a nonpartisan organization. Our mission is simple: Make education stronger, safer and more accessible for all children in New Jersey. That mission transcends party lines. Some of our greatest successes have come through bipartisan coalitions—and we’ll continue building bridges with anyone who’s willing to champion educational fairness.

A Strong Education System Includes Every Child

There’s a myth that nonpublic school funding takes away from public education. That is simply false. The line items we advocate for come from separate allocations in the state budget—not from the public school funding formula. They are designed to ensure that every New Jersey child, regardless of what school they attend, has access to safety, health services and learning resources. We fully believe in and advocate for a fully funded and strong public school system. Supporting nonpublic school families strengthens New Jersey’s diverse educational ecosystem.

The Next Frontier

It is critical that we continue to develop new revenue streams to significantly offset education costs. One goal is to pass a tax credit scholarship program here in New Jersey.

Unlike vouchers, which pull public funds directly from the public education system, tax credit programs allow individuals and businesses to receive a tax credit for donations made to scholarship funds that support low- and middle-income families. It doesn’t take a dollar away from public schools.

With a tax credit program, parents of students in nonpublic schools still contribute to the public school system by paying taxes and not taking the benefit. Similar programs have been implemented successfully in 22 states across the country—including blue states.

Here in New Jersey, tax credits are already used to incentivize a wide range of public priorities—from environmental conservation to film industry incentives. This is simply applying the same principle to education equity.

We need to continue to fight for programs that will attract people to New Jersey, make schools more affordable for families, and keep our public schools strong and funded.

Lessons From New York

Passing bold new programs is not easy. Yet if you asked if I ever would have predicted that New York would directly pay for education costs in nonpublic schools, I would have told you the same thing. Just last month, New York’s approved budget included over $90 million for STEM, art, and music teacher salaries through a program envisioned and advocated for by Teach NYS.

Ambitious new legislation often takes several years from proposal to passage. It takes drafting, revising, building coalitions, educating lawmakers, and most importantly, organizing voters.

Game-changing policies rarely pass on the first try. Our wins in STEM and school security were once long shots—now they’re realities. Progress takes relentless advocacy and a united community.

Real Champions. Real Change. A Real Future for Jewish Education

Earlier this month, Dan Senor gave his ‘State of World Jewry” address, where he explained that the single most important thing that we can do to create a stronger Jewish future is to invest in Jewish education. Philanthropy alone cannot shoulder this burden—at least not in the near future. Political advocacy and government resources are integral parts of this solution—and are the very reason that Teach NJ was founded. As a community, we must double down on these efforts.

We need champions in the legislature who will not only defend existing programs or support small increases— but fight for new programs. We’ve seen what’s possible when we show up, speak out, and stay committed. Now is the time to go further. Because the future of Jewish education—and the strength of our community—depends on what we do next. Let’s meet this moment, together.

Katie Katz is the executive director of Teach NJ.