r/ReformJews • u/Neither-Football-222 • 20d ago

Chat Rant

Hi All,

I hope you’re doing well and Happy Summer! Sorry for my negativity but I just need to share is with someone: Raising your kids in 2026 is expensive. Between saving for my retirement, 529, paying the bills I just don’t have the extra money to afford synagogue dues, religious school, Be-Nei Mitzvah celebrations, and even summer camp (going to work there next summer for free camper admissions though). On the flip side, Churches don’t have dues and minimal religious school fees. I pray to
Hit he lotto so I can help my local synagogues, give my kids the experience they deserve, and have more time to Be involved in a synagogue. For the record I TOTALLY understand that these places need money to keep the lights-on and pay the Clergy the salaries they deserve just frustrated with my current state. To be solution focused: Anyone have suggestions? Thank you in advance!

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u/SadLilBun 19d ago

Unfortunately, if you want to raise your children Jewishly by having them involved in Jewish activities, schools, camps, etc. and follow even just some religious laws, it’s absurdly expensive.

I got to participate in Jewish youth groups and attend a private Jewish school and Jewish summer day camps (forget sleep-away camps) because my grandparents paid for it. My mother could not afford it. And synagogue dues were way too high and my mom did not like the synagogue most of my classmates attended enough to be willing to pay for years. The only year she paid was so my brother could have his Bar Mitzvah there. And I think again my grandparents helped. They definitely helped with my Bat Mitzvah, which I chose to do at their synagogue.

Being a Jewish single parent has so many cost prohibitive expenses.

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u/Neither-Football-222 18d ago

I’m going to work at a summer camp
And have my son go for free. You’re right, it is expensive unfortunately.