#1. Jewish Parents: What Shapes Your Family’s School Choices?
Choosing a school for your child is personal. Families weigh academics, location, cost, community, and, ultimately, what feels right for their child.
Jewish Federations of North America wants to hear from Jewish parents of children in Pre-K through 12th grade who currently do not send one or more of their children to a Jewish day school. The national survey asks about the real considerations behind those choices and what could make Jewish education more accessible or meaningful for families.
What Cincinnati parents share can help our schools and community better understand what families need and what fits their lives. There are no right answers. Just your experience. If this sounds like your family, take a few minutes to share your perspective. If you know another Jewish parent whose voice should be heard, please share this. [LINK]
#2. New Ways to Support Jewish Education at No Cost to You
Since 2021, Ohio has offered a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) tax credit of up to $750 per person that allows individuals to allocate some of their federal tax liability to Jewish day schools. Our local schools already benefit from Ohio’s SGO program: Rockwern Academy (through the Ohio Association of Independent Schools), Cincinnati Hebrew Day School, Chai Tots Early Childhood Center, Ohr Torah Cincinnati, and Mesivta of Cincinnati (through Every Child Every Family), and you can donate through April 15, 2027, to receive a 2026 tax credit. Please speak to your accountant about your specific situation.
We are happy to share that starting on January 1, 2027, a new federal tax credit lets eligible taxpayers give to approved scholarship organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per individual, depending on your tax liability. Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, and Prizmah created the Opportunity Fund for Jewish Education so donors can support Jewish day school scholarships. Ohio has opted in, and donors will be able to contribute to both the state SGO and federal SGO, benefiting from both tax credits. You can donate through December 31, 2027, to receive a 2027 federal tax credit.
Gifts to both SGOs fund scholarships for eligible students. Donors can receive the tax credit, but they can’t direct their gift to a specific student, including their own children. These programs help make day school education affordable for all families.
Learn how the Opportunity Fund works and share it with those who may be interested in helping to make day school affordable for all. [LINK]
#3. Standing with the Jewish Community of Belleville
Our thoughts are with the Jewish community of Belleville, Ontario, after a shooting outside their synagogue just after Yom Kippur. We are grateful that no members of the Jewish community were harmed, and we are thinking of Constable Jeff Smith, the officer who was injured while responding. [LINK]
Events like this underscore the importance of the security work that helps Jewish communities continue to gather. Here in Cincinnati, SAFE Cincinnati works year-round with our congregations, schools, and agencies, in partnership with local law enforcement, to help people participate in Jewish life safely.
If you have questions about security where you worship, learn, or work, SAFE Cincinnati is here to help.