Whereas the Torah teaches us, “ve-shinantam l'vanekha – and you shall teach your children” (Deuteronomy 6:7) and this call to literacy has been a hallmark of Jewish civilization for over 3,000 years and has ensured Jewish survival;
Whereas the National Jewish Population Study (NJPS) of 2001 revealed that identification with Judaism, observance, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel is highest among those with the greatest level of Jewish education;
Whereas Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary, at the 2005 Biennial Convention of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) announced a “bold entitlement proposal” to invest in the future by providing free supplementary or day school Jewish education or summer camp for every Jewish child from grades 1-12 whose family is affiliated with a synagogue or a JCC; and
Whereas there are pilot communities in the United States that are currently heavily subsidizing Jewish day school education by placing a cap on tuition.
Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly endorse Chancellor Schorsch’s bold entitlement proposal;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly continue to work closely and diligently with the United Jewish Communities (UJC), local Federations, and USCJ to actively pursue creative ways in which the proposal may be implemented;
Be it further resolved that members of the Rabbinical Assembly actively recruit potential donors in order to be able to bring this initiative to fruition; and
Be it further resolved that members of the Rabbinical Assembly continue to seek ways to promote Jewish education in Solomon Schechter Day Schools, Camps Ramah, supplementary schools, synagogues, and Jewish community centers.
Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, March, 2006