Community Members Unite for Tuition Affordability Rally

Sen. Dan Patrick addressing the crowd

On Thursday, November 15, the Orthodox Union held its first Rally for Tuition Affordability at the Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston, Texas.  Over three hundred Jewish students, concerned parents, school professionals and leaders turned out to demonstrate their support for Jewish education and tuition affordability.

At the rally, those present heard from Texas School Choice advocates, prominent Texas State elected officials, and national Jewish leaders, all calling for the Texas legislature to create educational programs that will offer all Texans a quality, affordable education for their children.

Highlights of the event included addresses by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, Texas state Senate Education Committee chairman Dan Patrick and Sister Kavita Keating, Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Houston.

In his passionate address, Senator Patrick spoke of his support for education reform and school choice initiatives. Senator Patrick and Lt. Governor Dewhurst vowed to work together in the upcoming session to pass education reform that will include more choice for Texas parents. They asked everyone present to join them in their support for the children of Texas.

Jesse Hervitz, Associate Political Director for the Orthodox Union, stated:

“The rally was an incredible opportunity for the Houston Jewish community to speak to their elected officials in a unified voice on behalf of Jewish education and tuition affordability. We will continue to work with our coalition partners and our legislative leaders towards the creation of school choice programs in Texas.”

The event was co-sponsored by the Robert M. Beren Academy, Torah Day School of Houston, Sephardic Gan/Torat Emet Academy and the Torah Girls Academy of Texas.

The Houston Chronicle covered the rally and blogged about its relevance and impact. To read the article, click here: http://blog.chron.com/bigjolly/2012/11/sen-dan-patrick-at-the-rally-for-school-choice/ and here: http://blog.chron.com/bigjolly/2012/11/support-sen-dan-patricks-quest-for-school-choice/