The Released Time Program serves as a beacon of spiritual light for children who attend public schools across NY. The numbers speak for themselves: 10% of Released Time students make the life-changing decision to transfer to a Yeshiva or Jewish day school.
In 2023, Marsil was a typical American girl, attending her local public school and spending time with a diverse group of friends. She never gave much thought to the fact that her mom was Jewish—it was just a detail. Like how her mom liked to read history books, being Jewish didn’t hold any significance for her.
One Wednesday afternoon, as Marsil walked through the hallways of P.S. 075 in Staten Island, she noticed a few men in odd-looking religious attire walking into the building. She then saw her friend Ella from a younger grade, leave school early with a few other kids. The next day, Marsil asked Ella, “Who were those religious guys, and how do you know them?” Ella replied, “Those guys are my rabbis! Rabbi Mendel and Rabbi Zalman from the Released Time program!”
Fast forward just three weeks later, and after a few phone calls between Marsil’s mother and a Released Time instructor, Marsil herself was walking out of school early on Wednesdays, joining the Wednesday Jewish Hour program. For the first time, she was learning about what it means to be Jewish, and more importantly, she was discovering why it’s something to be proud of.
Marsil was one of 600 children who, every week during school hours, leave public school to engage in Torah study and Jewish prayers. This was the vision of the Frierdiker Rebbe, who, 84 years ago, came to America and declared, “America is not different.” His words continue to guide the mission of Released Time as the flagship program of the NCFJE: to reach every Jewish child wherever they are and reignite their Neshama.
Although it may seem like just an hour a week, the impact of Released Time extends far beyond the classroom. Its ultimate goal is to spark a lifelong passion for Jewish learning, one so strong that students and their families seek more.
The numbers clearly demonstrate the strong return on investment (ROI) of the Released Time Program: 10% of students transition to Yeshiva or a Jewish day school, continuing their life in a Torah observant way. In the past year alone, 61 children made the life-changing decision to leave public school and embrace Jewish education. This transition not only elevates the child, it transforms the entire family.
As for Marsil, the story doesn’t end there. With the support of her instructors and the Released Time staff, funds were raised to support her transition to the Staten Island Hebrew Academy. “Never did I think that one random walk in the hallway on a Wednesday afternoon would lead me to studying Torah every day in a Jewish school,” says Marsil, now in 7th grade. “I never knew what it meant to be Jewish, but once Released Time taught me, I realized I don’t belong in public school.”
This is just one example of how the Released Time Program is changing lives. Just a few weeks ago at one of the 700 in-house Chanukah parties organized by Released Time, a family from PS 173 in Queens was inspired by the spiritual energy and stories shared by the Rabbis in their home. Moved by the experience and seeing how excited their children were to hear more lessons and teachings from the Rabbis, Mr and Mrs Batayev made the life changing decision to explore full time Jewish education for their children, Jonah and Eli.
Released Time staff jumped right into action, working closely with the family to ensure a smooth transition for the boys. And now, only 6 weeks later they’re moving to a Jewish school in Queens next semester.
Sara, the mother later shared, “Released Time opened our eyes to the beauty of Jewish learning. The warmth, dedication, and inspiration my boys received each week made it clear—this is the right decision, and this is what we want for our family.”
These stories are just the beginning.
In honor of Yud Shvat, Released Time has launched its annual fundraising campaign and invites you to be part of this crucial mission to transform the lives of Jewish students in public schools.
With your support, Released Time will continue providing life-changing Jewish education at no cost to families, impacting one child, one family, and one public school at a time.
Please donate generously at https://www.charidy.com/callofthehour
