Friday, August 11, 2023
Young Jewish families trade NYC for new horizons
In a notable shift over recent years, young Jewish families are bidding farewell to the bustling neighborhoods of New York City and embarking on journeys to neighboring New Jersey and southward to the sun-soaked land of Florida.
A fresh study from the Teach Coalition's Institute for Jewish Education Policy and Research unveils a decline in enrollment within New York's yeshivas and Jewish kindergartens since 2015, juxtaposed with a notable surge in Jewish kindergarten enrollment in other states like Florida—where, for instance, Jewish day school enrollment surged by an impressive 47%. This shift is attributed to the allure of lower living costs and tuition fees, resonating with the rising desire for Aliyah—families seeking a fresh start in Israel. The study paints a portrait of families embracing novel educational landscapes and striving for financial relief while casting their sights toward diverse horizons.
A trend that's been gaining momentum, researchers say that this migration is driven by the Jewish young families' desire to provide their children with more accessible education options and a lifestyle that doesn't impose the economic burdens of their former abode. "We have heard anecdotally that Jewish parents are leaving New York due to the high cost of living and tuition. Using hard data, this report largely confirms these anecdotes," says Gabriel Aaronson, director of the Office of Jewish Education Policy and Research.
The new study unveils the transformation that has been quietly reshaping the demographics of Jewish communities across states. While New York was once considered a bastion of educational opportunities and cultural connectivity for Jewish families, the allure of states such as Florida has grown stronger in recent years.
One of the defining elements that have sparked this shift, according to the researchers, is the increasing demand for school choice. Families are increasingly finding themselves drawn to states that offer more flexible educational options for their children, allowing them to tailor their learning experiences to individual needs. The exodus from New York to Florida, in particular, has seen a striking 47% uptick in Jewish day-school enrollment since 2016, following the implementation of universal scholarship programs.
"Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, and West Virginia are also leading the pack and will reap the benefits", said Maury Litwack, Founder of Teach Coalition. "By contrast, the states without a path toward school choice, without options and opportunity for families and children, risk being left behind—literally".
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