Stop Educational Deprivation in Yeshivas

About the PSA

There are currently tens of thousands of children in yeshivas across New York that do not provide an adequate secular education. In the Hasidic community, boys tend to receive between 0 and 90 minutes of secular education.

This is a violation of New York State’s substantial equivalency law, which requires all private schools to at least provide the minimum curriculum students would receive in a public school (Math, English, Science, Social Studies, etc.). This educational neglect has had dire consequences. Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox communities are some of the poorest in the state and the country.

On July 3rd, 2019, the New York State Education Department released regulations for public comment. The deadline to submit a comment is September 2nd, 2019. This PSA encourages viewers to visit www.yaffed.org to learn and engage with this critical education rights issue.

About the Client

YAFFED is an advocacy group committed to improving educational curricula within ultra-Orthodox schools. They fervently believe that every child is entitled to a fair and equitable education that is in compliance with the law. Their work involves raising awareness about the importance of general studies education, and encouraging elected officials, Department of Education officials and the leadership of the ultra-Orthodox world to act responsibly in preparing their youth for economic sufficiency and for broad access to the resources of the modern world. YAFFED was founded by Yeshiva graduates in 2012.