We, the undersigned parents, want to provide our children with a quality Jewish education. We send our children to and support our local Jewish Day School. But the rising cost of Day School tuition is creating a real financial strain on many families and is making a Day School education unaffordable. Yet, Day School has proven to be the most effective means of ensuring continuity in the American Jewish community.

Although the affordability issue has been simmering below the surface for quite some time, the current financial crisis brings it to the forefront. Previous efforts to address this issue have fallen short and have not provided a viable long-term solution.

Too many parents are sacrificing too much, indebting themselves for dozens of years to pay for Day School tuition. Its not fair to ask grandparents, many of whom already paid for their childrens Day School education, to now pay for their grandchildren too. And, its not prudent or reliable to constantly seek the generosity of a few benefactors.

We implore the administrators, educators, Rabbis, lay leaders, parents, Federation and all those who have an interest in providing our children with a Jewish education to create a new and sustainable system.

Harness this challenging time to focus communal efforts. Be creative. Simple cost-cutting, one-time grants and other band-aids are not permanent solutions. Challenge the status quo, question basic assumptions, consider radical ideas, and hold nothing sacred until we, as a Jewish community, find a new and sustainable model.

We want to provide our children with an affordable, sustainable, and excellent Jewish education. Please help us make that happen.