Should the Government Interfere in Yeshivas?

By Austin Colm ‘25
    The United States began as a nation founded on the ideals of independence and freedom for its citizens. Since then, politicians have constantly debated how much power the government should hold. Logically, as the power the government has increases, the individuals’ freedom decreases. Thus, giving the government more power would be contradictory to the values the nation was founded upon. 

​

However, the government also has the capability to improve its citizens’ lives through large-scale social work projects. Therefore, though its control over the nation has increased significantly, the government has faced little pushback from the American people as they are being directly helped. 
For instance, public schools in the United States are subject to strict regulation and control, as they are solely government funded and therefore must admit all students. However, these regulations only exist in public schools, and so do not have any jurisdiction over private academic institutions, including religious schools like Golda Och Academy. Private schools, as independent entities, have far more regulatory leeway, although some may still receive government funding. 
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget recently allocated $295 million to private schools without any regulations to ensure that students will receive a reasonable level of secular education. Even though some may not meet the same requirements in subjects like math, english or history as public schools, they will nevertheless receive government funding. This allows private schools far greater freedom in choosing what and how they will teach their students, and, in particular, gives religious schools the ability to teach only religious subjects. 
However, recent regulations introduced by the New York State Education Department will help govern secular education in New York's non-public schools, believing that, since government money is helping to fund these schools, the state should have some say in what they teach.
Many have argued that this bill is particularly targeted at ultra-orthodox yeshivas, where some students receive only ninety minutes of math and English a day and no history and science. These schools prioritize religious education over everything else, meaning that students end up graduating with an immense deficiency in secular subjects. 
Luke Tress from The Times of Israel wrote that “Critics of the yeshiva system say the schools fail to provide adequate instruction in secular subjects, including English and math, leaving graduates unprepared to enter the workforce.”  
While ultra-Orthodox schools will provide rigorous religious education, likely satisfying the needs of their constituent parents, they fail to prepare students for life and work in the outside world, the core purpose of any school. At the bare minimum, a high school education should prepare students to enter the workforce without severe deficiencies in essential secular subjects. If yeshivas are releasing graduates unable to function in day-to-day life, the school has failed. 
A high quality education in both religious and secular studies is possible throughout elementary, middle and high school, with GOA acting as a prime example. Students here receive an in-depth education in Judaic studies, while benefiting from a rigorous curriculum in English, math, science and history that will prepare them for secular colleges and jobs.     
Elyssa (Folk) Friedland, Class of 1999, noted that her time at a Jewish day school inspired her to become a writer. Friedland wrote on Golda Och’s Alumni website, “Through SSDS, I learned that hard work and leading a life guided by Jewish values will lead to success and happiness.” 
    While it is certainly true that religious education spiritually guides students by instilling them with values and morals, yeshivas must also be focused on how graduates will succeed economically. 
    The New York State Education Department’s regulations will enforce a degree of secular education in these schools, and will undoubtedly benefit their students. 

​