Orthodox Jews campaign to push Senate for $10B school choice bill

An association of Orthodox Jews is launching a national campaign to encourage the Senate to pass national school choice legislation and double the bill’s maximum funding amount.

The Educational Choice for Children Act, or ECCA, is included in the current budget reconciliation bill at $5 billion annually, but the Orthodox Union wants to see that doubled to the originally proposed $10 billion.

Orthodox Union announced its campaign Thursday with the goal of encouraging 50,000 supporters to contact their senators about the bill, Jewish Insider reported.

The ECCA would effectively create a national school choice program through annual tax credits. The credits, which would fund private school scholarships, would be available to residents of any state – not just the 35 states that currently have school choice programs. 

The advocacy is significant, as more than half of U.S. Jews live in New York, New Jersey, California and Illinois – all states that lack private school choice. 

If passed, the program could potentially double the number of school choice participants nationwide – from 1.2 million to 2.4 million. 

Religious-based education is especially important to Orthodox Jews, who follow the Hebrew Bible and maintain their own schools, markets and gathering spaces. 

If approved, the ECCA would open new funding streams for families to send their children to Jewish day schools, Jewish Insider reported. 

The campaign, which will be run by the Union’s national and state advocacy arms, will feature digital, print and grassroots advertising encouraging Jewish families to contact their senators. 

“This is not just a policy moment, it’s a historic moment,” said Nathan Diament of the Union’s national advocacy center. “As antisemitism surges and Jewish communities face growing threats, families are desperate for schools where their children feel safe, supported, and proud of their identity. But too many are being priced out of a Jewish education. That’s not sustainable nor acceptable. 

“This legislation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn the tide, and we are going all in to make sure it happens.” 

The Senate Finance Committee is drafting its version of the reconciliation bill. Republicans are aiming to pass a bill by early July.