There is no question that the financial burden borne by yeshivos is massive. Tuition pays a portion of that. I understand. It’s the throwing out of children into the street that is unacceptable, and it runs counter to every Torah value I have ever encountered.
My personal experience was that I was sent a contract from my children’s school each year, and it was so far beyond my reach that I got in line to negotiate a contract. The individual I met with was a gvir who volunteered his time for the yeshiva. I am quite pleased with his graciousness to give of his time. However, this man has never needed to pinch pennies, and was unable to identify with the experiences of those he was pressing for money they did not have. I can speak for myself – no vacations ever, no bungalow, no trips to Florida or Eretz Yisroel. When I showed him my income, I hid nothing, and was not from those who skimp on tuition to live lives of luxury. I went for long periods without buying meat, as I could not afford it. I was pushed and taxed mercilessly. Then came the verbal agreement that I would not be held to the re-registration schedule, as my income was seasonal. I never left the school with an outstanding balance, but the threat to disallow my children in without admission cards was kept, despite agreement that this would not be done. My impression – the money mattered, my children did not.
Next – the community must make sure that expelling children or denying admission for financial reasons be banned – yes, as critical to the survival of Yiddishkeit as unfiltered internet. The child is being punished for a “crime” he/she did not commit. The scars of rejection will last longer than the outstanding balance. Even when the parents beg, borrow, and steal to pay up, the child is damaged seriously. Yes, expelling a child from yeshiva is dinei nefashos, as per the Chazon Ish and many others. These decisions are made by impulsive administrators or impulsive menahalim, not groups of assembled and unbiased dayanim. This disgrace is a curse to Klal Yisroel. The child expelled leaves with his/her generations that will follow, and no one in the yeshiva office cares. What a shanda!
GAW – It is fact that students are denied admission, re-admission, or are expelled due to financial reasons. I am in direct contact with such situations constantly. It pains me greatly to see the same people who make such decisions accorded honors at public events, when in reality, they are guilty of retzichah – yes, murder. May these people do all the teshuvah needed, including the restoration of the neshamos they rejected and tried to kill. I wish they do this successfully to restore the honor of Kvod Shomayim and true Kavod HaTorah.