This Man Is Addressing the Tuition Crisis, One Family at a Time

Jewish school tuition is expensive. In the United States, some families are paying six figures a year to send multiple children to these schools. While scholarships are helpful, many families still struggle to cover these bills along with all of life’s other expenses.

One man – a father with his kids in Jewish school – is now stepping up and helping out families in need. His goal? To address the tuition crisis and make sure Jewish children get a Jewish education.

Meet Zack Kaplun.

A One-Man Operation

Zack Kaplun, who is originally from Ukraine, is a senior business analyst in corporate healthcare. He lives and works in Miami and is a father to children in Jewish school. His family emigrated to the United States when he was young, and he was raised in New York, where he became religious as a teenager.

Four years ago, while looking at a local community group in Boca Raton, a man who had just moved to South Florida from Israel asked what public school he should send his child to. Zack replied, “Nope. Send to yeshiva. If money is the issue, message me.”

Pretty soon, Zack started hearing more and more about how families all around him were struggling to pay tuition. He decided he was going to help them. Singlehandedly, he was going to send them funds to ensure their children enrolled in – or stayed in – Jewish schools.

“I have seen how money could be a potential roadblock and how expenses can add up for a family,” Zack told Aish.

He built a website called Yeshiva Tuition Org and began advertising it with a flyer around the community, stating, “Switch your kids from public school to a Jewish school. No Jewish child should attend public due to finances! I can help with tuition and placement/acceptance.”

Zack Kaplun

On the website, Zack lists reasons for a yeshiva education, among them, “Best way to ensure your kids have a lasting connection to Judaism,” “Higher chance of having good morals and ethics,” “Reduces chances of assimilation,” and “Consider it an investment in the continuity of the Jewish nation.” He also states, “This initiative is funded by ONE Jew and his own personal money. We are not a company/501c3. Will try to help as many Jews as we can on a case-by-case basis.”

Zack gave out his personal phone number as well, urging people to get in touch. He soon received calls from all around the country and has, so far, given funds to hundreds of families.

“I use only my own money to fund this,” Zack said. “I don’t do any fundraising. It is too much drama to do fundraising. But of course, if someone wants to donate, then I don’t reject them. The bigger our war chest, the bigger the impact we can make.”

The Impact Zack Has Made

Zack believes helping with tuition makes a significant impact. “In my opinion, it is the most important charity. Not only does this support Torah study, but this shapes the entire future of a child, in a positive way.”

With his work, he aims to accomplish two things: make an impact and be efficient, “So I can help many families and spread the wealth… It is the top of the food chain, in terms of charity options.”

In addition to assisting families whose children might be going to public school, he helps parents whose children are already in Jewish schools as well.

“In America, there is another large yeshiva tuition scholarship company that has hundreds of millions of funds, yet despite this, they only can help a family switching from public school to yeshiva,” he said. “However, as is often the case, if there is a family already in yeshiva but is on the brink of switching to public school due to lack of money then this other company won’t help them at all. I don’t operate like that.”

Zack also helps families navigate the entire process. “I provide a 360-degree package that includes encouragement, selecting the correct yeshiva, helping with admissions into a yeshiva, helping the family know the yeshiva options, helping them know various other scholarship opportunities, hand holding, and positive reinforcement. Money is only part of the solution.”

How It Works

When someone needs help, they can apply through the Yeshiva Tuition Org website.

“Then, we talk on the phone and discuss their unique situation and try to come up with possible solutions,” Zack said. “I have dealt with all kinds of unique situations.”

Instead of making one big donation, he rations support to multiple families so that children can stay in school.

Parents have submitted emotional testimonials which Zack displays on his website. “I greatly appreciate your constant checking in and pushing me to find a school and helping out financially,” one parent wrote. “I know it will be hard pushing through the school years, but my kids will grow up around Jewish kids and know all about their religious, so thank you.”

Another parent wrote, “5 beautiful nesahamas out of public school. You were the driving force from the beginning, starting with my daughter and the momentum kept going. Thank you.”

Though helping parents is very rewarding, at the end of the day, Zack’s focus is the children.

“Failure is not an option,” he said. “The children’s future is at stake, and so is the future of the Jewish People.”

If you are struggling to pay tuition, Zack urges you to get in touch. Apply or contact him through his website.