Dear Mr. President,

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I wish you continued success in your efforts to strengthen our nation. May the Almighty bless you with wisdom, strength, and good health as you continue working for the benefit of all Americans.

At this historic moment, I respectfully ask for your help regarding an issue that deeply affects my family and countless other American families.

Because of our religious beliefs, my family and many Orthodox Jewish families choose to educate our children in Jewish day schools and Yeshivas rather than public schools. Like all Americans, we faithfully contribute through our taxes to support public education. Yet when we exercise our constitutionally protected freedom to choose a religious education for our children, we are required to carry the full financial responsibility ourselves.

In effect, the very freedom that America was founded to protect comes with a significant financial penalty for the families who choose to exercise it.

This is not a request for special treatment, nor is it a request for an advantage over anyone else. It is a request for fairness and equal opportunity. Families who choose religious education should not be treated as though their children are less deserving of educational support. We contribute to the system, we strengthen our communities, and we raise children who become responsible and productive members of society. We are simply asking for the same recognition and financial support given to every other American child.

Educational funding should follow the child, not be determined solely by the type of school a parent chooses. Every child is valuable, and every family should have the freedom to choose the education they believe is best without facing an tremendous financial burden because of that choice.

America was founded upon the promise of religious liberty—the freedom for families to live according to their beliefs and values. Yet families who choose religious education often face a significant financial disadvantage because of that choice, with many ramifications.

For many religious middle-class families, tuition has become more than overwhelming. Parents work tirelessly yet struggle to meet payments, often relying on grandparents, relatives, or community assistance. Schools themselves, dependent on tuition, frequently struggle to pay teachers and maintain stability.

These are hardworking American families and dedicated educators doing everything they can to raise responsible, moral, and productive citizens.

Mr. President, I respectfully ask you to champion true educational freedom by ensuring that every American child receives comparable educational support, whether attending a public school, religious school, Montessori school, or another accredited institution chosen by the parents.

Providing funding comparable to public school spending would empower parents, strengthen families, encourage educational excellence, and honor the diversity of beliefs and values that have always been part of America’s foundation.

Religious schools continue to flourish because of the incredible dedication and sacrifice of parents and communities. This is a blessing and a testament to the strength of religious freedom in America. But families should not have to endure overwhelming financial hardship simply to educate their children according to their deeply held beliefs.

The time has come to make educational choice truly accessible to every American family.

Mr. President, by Divine Providence you have been placed in a position of tremendous influence. I respectfully ask you to help create a future in which equal educational opportunity truly follows the child.

Thank you for your service to our country and for considering this important matter.

May the Almighty continue to bless you, your family, and the United States of America with peace, prosperity, and every possible good.

Respectfully,
Bentzion, a hopeful Orthodox Jewish father