A Family's Journey: The Power of School Choice and the Arete Scholarship

Mordy and his wife have built a life centered on faith, community, and family in Atlanta's bustling Toco Hills neighborhood. As parents of seven children, five of whom are recipients of Arete scholarships, Mordy's story is a testament to the transformative power of school choice and its profound impact on both individual students and entire families.

The couple's oldest son, Elchonon, was born in the U.S. but spent his early childhood in Israel while Mordy pursued religious studies and was ordained as a rabbi. Returning to the United States when Elchonon was six, the family faced a new challenge: finding the right school for their children. As faith played a central role in their lives, Mordy and his wife were determined to find a school that offered both a quality education and the virtues of a faith that they cherished.

"We wanted to send our kids to a school that reflected our values," Mordy shares. "Our faith is a central aspect of our lives. We want our children to be completely immersed in their spirituality while also receiving a solid academic foundation."

For Elchonon, that place was Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Atlanta, a small, tight-knit boys' school with only about 60 students. The dual curriculum, blending religious studies with rigorous academics, was the perfect fit for the Birnbaum children.

"Elchonon made the National Honor Society and found a community that supported his spiritual and academic growth," says Mordy. "The individual attention he received at the school really helped him thrive."

Mordy's appreciation for the personal connections his son made at Yeshiva stood out. "It's a local school, so many of the teachers live nearby. Elchonon became close with his teachers-helping them with tasks like moving furniture or setting traps for raccoons when the school had a pest problem," he chuckles. "That kind of relationship is special. It's more than just education-it's about community."

However, choosing this school was only possible with the support of Arete Scholars. The financial relief provided by an Arete scholarship allowed Mordy's family to afford the education they believed was best, not just for Elchonon but for all of their children.

"Arete has been a godsend," Morty said with deep gratitude. "There's no way we would have been able to send our children to these schools without the scholarship. It gave us the power to choose what's best for our family, which is invaluable."

Like many of his peers, Elchonon has flourished academically, socially, and spiritually in an environment that nurtures his unique interests and aspirations. Beyond excelling in his studies, he worked as a counselor at Yagilu, a wilderness summer camp for boys. This experience nurtured a love for nature and adventure and allowed him the opportunity to give back and invest in younger campers, just as he had been. Elchonon will spend the next year studying abroad in Israel to further pursue his spiritual and religious studies and growth. Afterward, he intends to enroll in college and study aerospace engineering. His dream is to design airplanes.

However, the impact of school choice extends far beyond just one child. Mordy reflects on how the education his children receive through the Arete scholarship has shaped the dynamics of their entire family.

"Our kids bring home the lessons they learn-whether it's religious teachings or the academic push for excellence," he says. "I'm grateful that at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael, what they bring back changes the atmosphere at home in a really positive way."

Faith plays a guiding role in all of the family's decisions, and it's clear that being able to choose faith-based schools is central to how Mordy and his wife have chosen to raise their children. This was highlighted when the couple faced a decision about their younger son, who is on the autism spectrum. While public schools offered more resources, Mordy and his wife ultimately decided that the spiritual nourishment their son would receive at a private, faith-based school was more important.

"We want our children to be immersed in a school environment that aligns with our values," he states. "It's not just about education; it's about shaping their character and who they will be when they become adults."

When asked what he would say to the donors who make Arete scholarships possible, Mordy doesn't hesitate. "Thank you. You're giving families like mine a chance to choose a better future for our children. Many families need this support; without it, we wouldn't have the freedom to make these critical decisions."

Mordy emphasizes that the freedom to choose is about more than academics. It's about helping his children discover their potential and instilling the belief that they can be leaders in their communities and the world.

"I think Elchonon has the potential to be a real community leader," Mordy says. "He's mature, driven, and charismatic. The opportunities he's had, thanks to his education, have set him on a path where he can not only achieve his own goals but also make a positive impact on others."

In a broader sense, Mordy believes that a life well-lived is one in which his children will carry forward the values they've learned-faith, purpose, and service to others.

"Our goal as parents is to raise children who know their purpose in life, give back to their communities, and live with integrity and compassion," he says.

For Mordy, school choice has provided his children with an excellent education and allowed his family to stay true to their faith and values. Through the Arete scholarship program, they've been able to select schools that align with their beliefs, giving their children the foundation they need to reach their God-given potential.

As Elchonon embarks on his next adventure, Mordy remains deeply grateful for the opportunities school choice has afforded them.

"We're not just educating our children; we're shaping their future," he says. "That's something we couldn't have done without Arete."

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