It's time to support South Florida's Jewish day schools

Recently, I graduated with my master’s degree. The experience, while rewarding, came with a hefty price tag — about $25,000. At the time, I thought, “Whew, education is an expensive investment.” But I quickly realized that for many of us, the true value of education is not just in the cost, but in the curriculum itself.

After graduation, I, like many new college graduates, found myself entering the job market. After six years of college and 12 years of grade school, I thought I’d finally escaped the classroom. But, as life often does, it threw me a curveball. Instead of starting my career in some new office, I found myself back in — of all places — a school. After all those years in school, I guess I couldn’t stay away.

And frankly, I was lucky to land a position at Yeshiva Elementary, a place that quickly became more than just a workplace; it became a second family.

Yeshiva Elementary in Miami-Dade County is a nonprofit Jewish day school that has, for the last 40 years, been serving children from as young as 2 months old, in our nursery school, up through eighth grade. In 1987, Yeshiva Elementary opened our doors, with just five boys enrolled into the school. Today, the school has 759 students.

Here, students receive an education that is not only academic but also deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition.

Having attended public school myself, I understand the stark difference in what it means to be part of a school community. My public education was often devoid of meaningful experiences or connections to my Jewish heritage.

But my first day at Yeshiva Elementary changed everything. As I walked through the halls of our school, I saw something truly special. Children greeted each other with bright smiles that lit up the room, each wearing their kippah with pride. They walked with purpose, eager to dive deeper into their studies and their faith. It was then that I realized: This was not just any school. This was a place where children were not only learning — they were growing into the leaders of tomorrow, grounded in Jewish tradition.

But this journey is not without its challenges. On my very first day, I was tasked with purchasing supplies for the teachers — something that felt, at the time, like a simple and straightforward task. However, as I went to purchase supplies through the school’s Amazon account, I was met with an unexpected hurdle: The card was declined. Surprised, I went to the accounting department to figure out what had happened.

What I learned was eye-opening: Yeshiva Elementary’s annual operating costs are $12 million. That’s right — $12 million to run two campuses, serve 750 students, and employ 150 staff members. To put it simply: It costs $32,000 a day to keep the doors of Yeshiva Elementary open.

While the state contributes some funding, the majority of this cost is covered by donations from our incredible, selfless parents. To be specific, 90% of our donations come from parents. These parents are the heart and soul of this school, and their commitment is unparalleled. But despite their generosity, the financial reality is stark: The school loses money on every child enrolled, with the average deficit per student hovering around $4,000.

In 2022 alone, Yeshiva Elementary faced a $2 million deficit due to rising operational costs.

Despite these financial challenges, applications to our school are at an all-time high, and our student body has doubled over the past five years. This growth is a testament to the strength and value of the education we offer. But it’s clear: Without the support of donors, the sustainability of Yeshiva Elementary is at risk. We cannot continue to thrive without external contributions.

Spending even a few moments at Yeshiva Elementary will make anyone realize that this is not just a school, it’s a community — a family. The experience our students have here is unlike any other, and it’s one that every Jewish child deserves to experience.

The Jewish community has always been known for its commitment to supporting one another and investing in the future. Today, I ask you to consider investing in the future of Yeshiva Elementary. Your support will ensure that this school continues to be a place where Jewish children thrive, where they learn not only about their religion but about themselves, their culture and their community.

Please help us keep the doors of Yeshiva Elementary open. Together, we can continue to build a strong, vibrant Jewish community for generations to come. Every gift matters.

Visit yeshivaelementary.org/donate.

Adam Kolodkin is executive assistant at Yeshiva Elementary School, which has two campuses in Miami-Dade County.