G-a-w,
I do not think that the idea of resource allocation is easy. However,
the alternative is indeed expecting others to bail them out. I like this
idea even less.
One of the things that distinguishes the Hareidi community is that they
look to their Rabbanim for leadership–not only in Torah, but in all matters.
Well, this is the time for such leadership. Resources are fewer, and demands
are not getting less. Some things have to be changed, lest the entire system
break down.
I am not Hareidi, and do not send my children to Hareidi schools. Nevertheless,
I would like to see those of my fellow Jews who do choose this way of life to
be able to continue to do so, and would not want the system to break down
completely.
I do fear that if any cuts are made, it will be at the elementary education
stage, or at the expense of girls’ education specifically. I persoanlly think
that this would be a disaster. For one thing, since the girls in many cases are expected towork while their husbands learn, cutting their education will inevitably lower their ability as wage-earners, and further deepen the Hareidi world into financial crisis.