$12m boost for Jewish education announced during Chief Rabbi Mirvis’s visit

A $12 million multi-year funding commitment to Jewish education and community programs was announced at Kesser Torah College during a visit by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis.

The announcement by the Waratah Education Foundation was made this morning during a gathering of educators, community leaders and supporters focused on the importance of Jewish education in 2026.

Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, is visiting Australia as part of a pastoral tour of Jewish communities, with stops in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth that include visits to schools and community institutions.

Waratah Education Foundation chair Alistair McKeogh told the meeting that the foundation would provide a multi-year funding package totalling $12 million to support organisations involved in Jewish education, community development and educational outreach.

Sir Ephraim said he was deeply moved by the announcement and the commitment it represented.

“I was deeply moved this morning, because there’s nothing more important than Jewish education to secure our Jewish future, and to be present when an announcement was made of $12 million being allocated for various Jewish educational needs – that’s inspirational,” he said.

“That’s absolutely incredible. And I’m in awe of this generosity. And overall, I think the world of the Sydney Jewish community and everything the community is achieving here under the most challenging of circumstances.”

The initiative includes several major components. The largest element is a five-year program worth $7 million to establish an education fund to assist Jewish children who face financial barriers to attending Jewish schools.

Additional initiatives will support the creation of a Jewish experience centre, the development of online Jewish cultural resources for educators in non-Jewish schools, and scholarships enabling students to attend youth camps and overseas programs, including visits to Israel.

The plan also includes the creation of a Jewish exhibition, the distribution of Jewish books to public schools across Australia, and support for two mobile Jewish libraries travelling across New South Wales to promote Jewish learning.

A small grants program will allow Jewish charities to apply for funding for educational initiatives.

The funding initiative is structured around four broad areas, including community education initiatives, the creation of an education fund, continued support for existing Jewish community partners, and a scholarship commitment to Kesser Torah College.

As part of the program, Waratah will establish a 13-year scholarship fund worth $5 million for Kesser Torah College, designed to help families meet the cost of schooling over the coming years.

Both the education fund and the Kesser Torah scholarship program are being created in honour of the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack.

The Bondi tragedy prompted the foundation to increase its commitment to initiatives helping Jewish Australians express their faith and culture with pride and without fear.

The Waratah Education Foundation is an independent philanthropic organisation focused on improving educational outcomes for young Australians, particularly those facing disadvantage.

The foundation was established in 2020 and has distributed $12.5 million through 295 grants supporting 112 organisations, with partner groups estimating that more than 350,000 young Australians have benefited from its programs.

In 2025 alone, the foundation will have awarded 77 grants across a range of education initiatives.

Waratah Education Foundation supports organisations that use education to promote empathy, inclusiveness and understanding of others’ experiences and perspectives.

Introducing the announcement, Kesser Torah College principal Rabbi Yaacov Chaiton said the foundation had already played an important role in education across Australia.

“The foundation is dedicated to advancing education across Australia in so many different ways,” he said.

Rabbi Chaiton welcomed the commitment, saying the scale of the investment would have lasting benefits for the Jewish community.

“Your commitment to such a significant investment across the range of the Jewish community is truly, truly heartwarming,” he said. “The community will benefit from that for years to come.”

McKeogh also acknowledged the longstanding connection between the foundation and Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who serves as a director of the Waratah Education Foundation board and has been closely involved in its education and community initiatives.

During the visit, Sir Ephraim spoke about the central importance of education in sustaining Jewish life and identity.

“Without Torah we simply cannot exist,” he said.

He emphasised that schools provide something that cannot be replicated through online learning.

“There is nothing quite like being there,” he said, noting that the atmosphere of a school and the connection between students and teachers are essential parts of meaningful education.

Sir Ephraim said strong Jewish education was essential for the future of the community.

“Outstanding chinuch is the essence of what it means to be Jewish, and it is the key component of a successful Jewish future,” he said.

He also warned that commitment without proper education can lead people astray.

“We have a passion for being dedicated to causes… but if we are miseducated, that can be dangerous for our world,” he said.

Praising Jewish schools across Australia, Sir Ephraim encouraged communities to build on their achievements.

“We have a jewel of a school here,” he said, urging educators and supporters to ensure Jewish education continues “from strength to added strength.”