Teach Coalition, a project of the Orthodox Union dedicated to advocating for government funding and resources for nonpublic schools, announced the appointment of Sydney Altfield as its national director.
Founded in 2013, Teach Coalition has been at the forefront of advocating for government funding of Jewish day schools and yeshivahs. Teach Coalition works across legislative, executive and judicial branches in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, California, and Nevada, as well as at the federal level.
Altfield, who will oversee the organization nationally, has been with the Teach Coalition for more than seven years.
Most recently she led Teach NYS. In that role, Altfield represented Teach across New York; organized student, community and multi-faith missions to Albany; built grassroots community political engagement by facilitating politician visits to schools; and secured record-breaking security funding. She also secured reimbursement for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs and the inclusion of nonpublic school in the state’s historic Universal Free Meals program. Altfield was named to City & State’s 2024 Brooklyn Power 100 and is a member of New York Mayor Eric Adams’ Jewish Advisory Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida.
“The Orthodox Union community, along with other faith communities, is committed to educate its students in our day schools and yeshivahs, where their faith and values are nurtured while they receive a well-rounded education. Especially as our community faces record antisemitism, that high-quality Jewish education needs to be made more accessible,” said Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union. “Sydney taking the helm at Teach Coalition, with all of her experience and passion, represents the redoubling of our commitment to helping Jewish day school and yeshivah families and those that aspire to attend these schools.”
“We are excited for Sydney to take on this new role, which reflects our commitment to recognizing and cultivating internal talent,” said Rabbi Josh Joseph, OU executive vice president. “Her ability to build consensus and activate relationships will serve her well.”
“It has been a privilege founding and building Teach Coalition into the powerhouse organization that it is today,” said Maury Litwack, founder and CEO of Jewish Voters Unite. “With Sydney as the new national director, I have complete confidence that it is in the best possible hands. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Sydney for years—someone whose vision, integrity and dedication have helped shape what the organization has become. I look forward to working with Sydney in her new capacity as she takes the organization to the next level.”
“The continuity of the Jewish people depends on quality, accessible Jewish education,” Altfield said. “As momentum builds nationwide for educational freedom, there is no more critical—or inspiring—moment to take on this role. Teach Coalition continues to meet the moment—not only in the halls of government where critical policy is shaped, but also in the heart of our community, where grassroots energy and engagement drive lasting change, and I am honored to help lead our efforts at this defining time for our community.”