Where your desk is located in the office can make a difference -especially in Oorah where there’s so many different departments. I’m lucky enough to sit way back, next to Mrs. Raizel Hoffman. You see, Mrs. Hoffman is in the tuition assistance department. She takes care of the incoming tuition assistance applications and speaks with families and schools to negotiate the assistance. This time of year, the tuition department is super-busy. The phone rings constantly as dozens of parents call each day. There are lots of things that have to be coordinated with the start of a new school year.
It’s nice that I get to hear what a difference Oorah’s tuition assistance makes in the lives of families who would otherwise sent their kids to public school. They’re always so appreciative of the help. But what happened 3 days ago shows how much Oorah cares.
Mrs. Hoffman was speaking to a mother, let’s call her Mrs. A. Mrs. A really wanted to switch her son, Jason*, into another Jewish school, but unfortunately couldn’t afford the high tuition expense and he ended up in public school. The mother spoke to Oorah, who is assisting with the tuition. But Mrs. A, with an unwell child at home, couldn’t afford the remaining balance. She was really upset that she is forced to send Jason to public school.
Mrs. Hoffman told me what happened next. “I never contact the schools. They partner with us but I never ask them for favors! But this time I did.” She emailed the school that the child applied to, and asked them to reduce the balance even more.
She finally heard back from the school that they lowered the tuition to a manageable number and called the mother excited.
“That was you”, was Mrs. A’s shocked response.
“It was as if I got my own child into school”, said an emotional Mrs. Hoffman.
Jason won’t have to go to public school this year, all because someone when beyond the call of duty.
From Fiveish to the Rebbetzins: All About Oorah 