THE VISION FAQs

1. Why is there a £12–£18 million funding gap in our schools? What has changed?

Over the past seven years, the communal funding gap for NW London Jewish schools has grown significantly—from approximately £7–8 million to £12 million by 2024. This figure already exceeded what the kehilla was collectively able to support, resulting in increasing financial strain. In 2025, the situation has deteriorated further, with the gap rising to £18 million due to four key developments: the imposition of VAT on private schools, the removal of business rate relief for those schools, and increases in both National Insurance and the minimum wage. These structural changes have pushed the financial situation into a critical state.

2. How much tzedokoh is currently allocated to schools, and how does that compare to what is needed?

It is estimated that approximately 10% of the community’s tzedokoh—equating to around £10–£11 million annually—is currently directed to local schools. While this has enabled schools to function in recent years, it is insufficient to cover the projected £18 million shortfall. The Vision therefore calls for a realignment of communal giving, asking for 20% of existing tzedokoh to be allocated to schools. No increase in overall giving is being requested—just a reprioritisation.

3. Do school fees and voluntary contributions not cover the shortfall?

There are two key challenges. In state-aided schools, only voluntary contributions are permitted, and schools are legally prohibited from enforcing or incentivising them. As a result, and due to wider economic pressures, collection rates have declined significantly. For private schools, some only charge Voluntary Contributions, but many do charge fees. Although fees are generally paid with greater consistency, they still fall short of covering the rising costs. While modest improvements in fee collection may be possible, they cannot address the scale of the funding gap.

4. How does this shortfall affect the kehilla?

The current shortfall is directly impacting the quality and reach of chinuch provided to children in our community. Schools are being forced to reduce staffing and vital support services. This is not simply an academic concern; it has far-reaching implications for inclusion, engagement, and student retention. Children with learning challenges are at greater risk of exclusion, disengagement, and leaving the school system altogether. The result is a heightened risk of alienation and long-term disconnection from Torah life—an outcome the kehilla cannot afford to ignore.

5. What is the 20% pledge, and how is it different from a traditional fundraising campaign?

The 20% pledge is a community-wide commitment to allocate 20% of one’s existing tzedokoh to support local Jewish schools. With more than £100 million in tzedokoh currently given across NW London each year, this shift would generate the £18 million needed to close the funding gap. Crucially, it is not a call for increased giving, but for a reallocation within existing tzedokoh. Unlike traditional fundraisers, this is a structural initiative aiming to permanently stabilise school funding through consistent communal commitment.

6. Is there a halachic basis for this initiative?

Yes. Numerous Rabbonim have confirmed that funding schools is a communal financial obligation under halacha—particularly from a Choshen Mishpat perspective. Institutions such as schools, mikvaos, and welfare organisations are considered foundational communal needs. Local and international Rabbonim—including Rabbi Yisroel Meir Greenberg, Rabbi SF Zimmerman, Rav Yosef Fleischman, and Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l—have all endorsed this view. Supporting schools is therefore not merely commendable, but a halachic imperative.

7. Where does my 20% go? Is there a central pot?

No. One of the central principles of The Vision is that donors retain full control. Individuals may allocate their 20% however they wish—whether through school campaigns, dinners, brochures, or anonymous donations. There is no central fund. This flexible approach reflects clear communal preferences and is a fundamental component of the initiative.

8. How is this different from Chomesh L’Chinuch?

The Vision incorporates key lessons learned from the earlier Chomesh L’Chinuch initiative. Two major differences define the new approach. First, there is no central pot—donors choose how and where to give. Second, The Vision is a united campaign launched across the entire community, rather than advancing incrementally by shul or neighbourhood. This collective, coordinated approach is essential to achieving the scale required for real impact.

9. Who are the partners involved in The Vision?

The Vision is supported by four key communal partners: Achisomoch, BEST, Chomesh L’Chinuch, and Delapage. Each of these organisations is committed to the long-term educational wellbeing of Jewish children in NW London and plays a significant role in supporting communal chinuch.

10. Does the pledge favour certain schools over others?

No. Every school in NW London—state or private, primary or secondary—is facing a funding shortfall. Currently, around 10% of communal tzedokoh goes to schools, based on individual donor preference. As donors increase their giving from 10% to 20%, all schools will benefit proportionately according to their existing support base. The pledge is structured to strengthen the financial stability of every school across the community.

11. Can the 20% pledge be tracked?

Tracking individual fulfilment of the 20% pledge is inherently difficult, as most donors are unaware of the proportion of their tzedokoh currently allocated to schools. To support greater transparency, The Vision has partnered with Achisomoch, which services over 3,500 clients in NW London. Through an opt-in system, Achisomoch will offer tools to help users monitor and assess their giving—enabling individuals to evaluate how closely they are aligning with the 20% commitment.

12. Why not focus on encouraging parents to pay their fees properly? Isn’t that the real issue?

While it is important for parents to meet their financial obligations, there are strict legal limitations for state schools. These schools may only request voluntary contributions and are prohibited from applying any pressure or incentive to secure payments. Collection rates have therefore declined, largely due to national economic pressures. In the case of private schools, fee income plays a key role, but it remains insufficient to address the broader communal funding gap. Schools and parents are already doing what they can—additional pressure is neither feasible nor appropriate.

13. Is this simply another campaign targeting average earners while the wealthy are not contributing sufficiently?

No. One of the fundamental improvements from earlier efforts is The Vision’s focus on engaging all levels of the community. The campaign has proactively engaged with the top 30 high-net-worth individuals and charitable funds in NW London. These discussions have resulted in significant commitments from major donors to align their giving with the 20% model. The Vision is not a campaign for any one group—it is a unifying effort that calls upon every member of the kehilla to participate, regardless of their giving capacity.

14. What if I do not trust how my school uses its funds?

Supporting schools is one of the most powerful investments a donor can make. Our schools shape the community’s spiritual and educational future. By giving, you help develop the next generation of Torah-committed, capable Jews.

We understand donors seek meaningful impact. Many schools are already doing great work—but there’s clear opportunity to go further.

Too often, schools operate in crisis mode—facing funding gaps, staff cuts, and growing pressure. This leaves little room for long-term planning or improvement. The Vision aims to change that. By directing the full 20% of communal tzedokah toward schools, we can stabilise the system—giving leaders space to grow and innovate.

Building on this, we are now exploring a bold second phase: the School Excellence Initiative. We’ve already consulted five top professionals—including experts in finance, Kodesh, chol, and emunah—as well as leaders of key chinuch organisations across NW London. All have strongly supported the idea.

The initiative may take the form of a new committee or standalone body. Its purpose: to assist schools that see potential for improvements —whether in finances, operations, chol, Kodesh, or emunah—by helping them develop a tailored excellence plan, supported with expert input and targeted funding.

Several major philanthropists are already on board. The Vision is here to catalyse this effort—and with your support, we can turn a good system into an outstanding one.

This isn’t just about helping schools function. It’s about helping them flourish—building a stable, ambitious model of chinuch worthy of our children’s future.

For clarity, our immediate focus now at The Vision is the 20% to ensure our schools can have stable foundation – and not operate in the crisis zone. For this we need the entire community to do its fair share – the 20%

Saying this, it’s important to recognise that The Vision is designed to provide full donor autonomy. Each individual chooses which school(s) to support, how they wish to donate, and when. If a donor prefers to support a school with a specific ethos, approach, or financial transparency, they are encouraged to direct their tzedokoh accordingly. No one is asked to give to any school they are uncomfortable supporting.

15. Have there been any early signs of success?

Yes. As a result of early engagement with major donors and charitable foundations, The Vision has already secured over £2 million in new, committed funds to be allocated to schools during the coming year. This figure represents a significant head start and provides strong evidence of the community’s readiness to support the initiative. It is anticipated that this is only the beginning of broader communal participation.

16. What if I already give more than 20% to schools?

Those already allocating more than 20% of their tzedokoh to local schools are demonstrating exceptional commitment to the community’s future. Such individuals have a considerable zechus and are recognised as foundational supporters of chinuch. The Vision simply asks that these donors continue at their current levels. Their continued support is invaluable.

17. Can I include my children’s school fees or voluntary contributions as part of the 20%?

No. The 20% pledge applies strictly to discretionary tzedokoh and does not include tuition fees or voluntary contributions made toward a child’s own education. For example, if an individual deposits £10,000 into a giving account, but £6,000 of that is used (with halachic approval) to pay school fees, the 20% calculation would apply only to the remaining £4,000. In this case, the individual would be encouraged to donate £800 (20% of £4,000) to support schools as part of the pledge.

18. Will this reduce giving to other communal causes? Is that acceptable?

The shift from 10% to 20% represents a reallocation of only 10% of one’s total tzedokoh. This is not an overhaul of priorities but a recalibration. Individuals are advised to consult their rov to determine how best to make this adjustment. In many cases, the recommendation may be to reduce contributions to non-local causes or international institutions, rather than divert funds from local organisations. The Vision does not seek to undermine other communal needs, but to ensure schools receive the support they urgently require.

19. Is this a short-term solution or a sustainable, long-term model?

The projected increase from £12 million to £18 million in the communal school funding gap prompted a thorough reassessment. The Vision is not a temporary response; it is a long-term structural solution. It provides schools with the confidence that funding can be stabilised, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality chinuch rather than facing ongoing financial uncertainty. It is a foundation for sustainable change.

20. Will schools still run their own fundraising campaigns?

Yes. The Vision complements existing fundraising efforts; it does not replace them. Schools will continue to organise dinners, campaigns, brochures, and direct appeals. The goal of The Vision is to encourage the community at large to increase the overall proportion of tzedokoh allocated to schools—from 10% to 20%—while schools continue their important independent fundraising activities.

21. I am only able to give a small amount of tzedokoh. Is it still worth signing the pledge?

Absolutely. The Vision is designed to be a community-wide initiative, inclusive of all giving levels. Every individual, regardless of financial capacity, plays a role. Whether someone gives £1 a year or £10 million, each contribution helps bridge the shortfall. The strength of The Vision lies in the unity of the kehilla—each person giving according to their means.

22. I do not currently give tzedokoh. Should I still sign the pledge?

Yes. There are two compelling reasons to sign the pledge even if you are not currently in a position to give. First, it reflects an aspirational commitment: when the time comes that you are able to give, you intend to allocate 20% to local schools. Second, your signature encourages others to join the initiative. The Gemara (Bava Basra 9a) teaches that one who encourages others to give receives even greater merit than the donor themselves. By signing the pledge, you contribute to the collective effort, regardless of current giving levels.

23. Will Chomesh L’Chinuch continue after The Vision? How can I use BEST as part of The Vision?

Yes. Donors who currently contribute to Chomesh L’Chinuch (CLC) Shul Pots may continue doing so if they wish. CLC remains active and fully aligned with the objectives of The Vision. All contributions made via CLC are passed directly to schools, in accordance with CLC’s established allocation strategy. This includes the use of each participating shul’s CLC survey to determine, collectively, which schools their members’ children attend.

As such, any donations made to CLC will count in full toward your 20% school giving pledge under The Vision.

Additionally, within the Achisomoch platform, the Vision – School Giving page will include an option to donate to “CLC – All NWL.” These funds will be distributed to all NW London schools based on pupil numbers, with a weighting adjustment to reflect the higher per-pupil costs in secondary schools.

In the Vision Tracker section of Achisomoch, all donations made to CLC will be automatically recognised as being allocated fully to schools and will be reflected accordingly.

24. Will BEST continue after The Vision?

Yes. Donors who currently contribute to BEST may continue to do so. The BEST fund will remain active and fully compatible with The Vision’s objectives. All donations made through BEST are passed directly to schools, based on BEST’s existing allocation strategy, which distributes a fixed amount equally to each participating school.

Accordingly, any donations made to BEST will count in full toward your 20% school giving pledge under The Vision.

Within the Achisomoch platform, the Vision – School Giving page will include an option to donate to “BEST,” which will continue to distribute funds equally across all schools.

In the Vision Tracker on Achisomoch, all donations to BEST will be automatically recognised as being fully allocated to schools and will be reflected accordingly.