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- Senator Brandon Creighton lead sponsor of SB 8 with Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld
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- Capt. Chaim Stitzer, USAF, Ret., Rabi Avi Pekier, Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, associate director of state relations for Agudath Israel, Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs, Agudath Israel Rabbi Enan Francis, and Representative Ed Thompson
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- Representative Dustin Burrows Rabbi Avi Pekier, Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld and Capt. Chaim Stitzer, USAF, Ret.
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- Parents from the Orthodox Jewish community after the rally.
On Tuesday, Agudath Israel of America brought parents and community leaders from Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio to a rally at the Texas State Capitol. The rally, which was cosponsored by Agudath Israel, was organized to show support for universal school choice, an issue that is currently being considered in the Texas Legislature.
Governor Greg Abbott voiced his support for Senate Bill 8, which would create an education savings account (ESA) program that gives parents $8,000 per student to spend on a wide range of educational expenses, including private school tuition. “We’re going to show the Legislature exactly why it is so important that we empower parents to choose the education that is best for their child,” said Governor Abbott to the cheering crowd.
Agudath Israel representatives and community members also had an opportunity to engage with lawmakers in the Capitol before and after the rally. The group held productive meetings with Senator Brandon Creighton, and with Representatives Dewayne Burns, Dustin Burrows, Briscoe Cain, Nicole Collier, James Frank, Sam Harless, Brooks Landgraf, Matt Shaheen, and Ed Thompson. In every meeting, the delegation highlighted the growing Orthodox community in Texas and how important this issue is for them and their families.
“As a parent, I’m proud to put my children in a school that provides the education and values I want them to receive. I hope all Texans can have that same opportunity,” said Elie Herskovits, a parent from Houston.
“Over the last few years, momentum for universal school choice has been steadily building across the country, and we are grateful to Governor Abbott and the legislative sponsors for working to bring ESAs to Texas. Every Texan should have the ability to send their child to the school or educational program that best fits their unique needs,” said Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, associate director of state relations for Agudath Israel. “Everywhere I go, Texas families are excited about the possibility of bringing universal school choice to the Lone Star State, and that was clearly evident by the fact that so many of our parents, rabbis, and community leaders traveled to Austin make their voices heard.”