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Leaving Las Vegas

The title for this post is an analogy that says it all... 

Much like Vegas, JDSs present their illusion as a reality, enticing people to risk their hard earned money on the promise that their bet will pay dividends. In reality, the house always wins and what happens at a JDS stays at the JDS. 

It is for this final reason that I’ve decided to share this post. 

Too often, when I share with people that I am leaving the JDS world they talk about how important my work is to the Jewish people and attempt to dissuade me from my decision. Unfortunately, many of these people have no idea what it means to be a day school educator.

In this post, I will focus only on the financial aspect of being a JDS teacher…
  • Last year I made $60K teaching six classes at a local JDS.
  • Two of my children attended the school so, while I received the maximum financial aid allowed by the school’s bylaws (40%), about $25k went straight back to the school.
  • In opting for the “subsidized” benefits offered by the school, I paid $1500 in monthly premiums ($15K/year) to ensure that all members of my family had coverage and could see a doctor when/if necessary.
  • I also opted to set aside some of my earnings for a potential retirement and, of course, I had to pay my taxes.
I’m not sure exactly how much I took home at the end of the day, but I do know that the money we had set aside for a kitchen renovation was depleted by the end of the year.

Keep in mind that I am a Jewish educator with over 20 years of experience in the JDS world, hold a masters degree in education and also have rabbinic ordination, so my salary is/was/should have been at the higher end of what the school pays its teachers.

The situation was made even worse by the fact that the school did not offer me a contract for the next year and did not inform me of the decision until I asked about their intentions a week before new contracts were set to be given out. 

This last straw was a bit of divine intervention, as it forced me to deal with the financial realities involved in being a JDS educator.

Again, I share this because most JDS parents do not know this reality and believe that their tuition dollars and donations provide are, in part, used to provide a dignified existence for their children's teachers. 

Unfortunately, that is far from the truth.

So I am breaking the taboo and talking about what most will not talk about, hoping for change in the way we treat our teachers by putting our money where our mouth is and paying JDS educators (especially qualified ones) according the respect we supposedly have for them and what they do.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Unfortunately I think.this is the reality for most full time teachers in the JDS system. Believe it or not, it can be financially worse for teachers in large Jewish communities such NY, NJ, LA. As these areas don't need to lure Rabbis & teachers, as the smaller communities often need to do. Due to the larger quantity of candidates in large Jewish communities. Note, not necessarily qualitatively better. This is often achieved by offering higher pay to attract quality candidates. You very well might be at the top of the current pay scale. Unless you are able to get a job as a principal, or in an executive position at a JDS. One thing though, many smaller Jewish communities do offer 100% free tuition for the children of their teachers. Especially full time teachers as a way to help w the finances. Some communities also offer housing assistance either through paying directly toward rent/mortgage, or by owning housing for their staff & renting at a substantial discount. I am surprised this school did not offer these benefits. Unless the financial supporters are willing or capable of donating & investing greater amounts if money into the JDS system, this might be the best one can expect. It will take enormously dedicated supporters willing to give their all, including establishing accounts to use for long term investments toward future funding. It doesn't help you in your current situation, but please know younare likely not the only family in this dire situation.
September 18, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Anonymous said…
Wow - what an enormous loss for JDS community and yes - glad you brought this to light. Good teachers need good compensation - more skills - more compensation. You are an amazing educator
September 18, 2022 at 2:27 PM
Alex Israel said…
Sorry to hear Avi.
I fully understand your decision.
The Jewish world lost one of the good guys here.
Wishing you every success moving forward.
Sending love and support.
Alex
September 18, 2022 at 3:27 PM
Unknown said…
I can say that as another JDS employee, not a teacher but a food service provider (with a bachelors and masters degree as well as culinary training and experience) I have been shocked and surprised at how little the "working people" in our schools are valued. Though now I see the larger picture of how the greater community of parents and donors have a different value structure, and it doesn't seem to be guided by Jewish values as I understand them.
September 18, 2022 at 9:25 PM
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