The following was written in the Where What When

My name is Reuven Amos, and I am the only Orthodox Jewish candidate running to represent our community in the Maryland House of Delegates.

My primary goal is to achieve meaningful support for private education, similar to what already exists in states and communities such as Florida, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Families in our community work hard to provide their children with a quality Jewish education while simultaneously paying taxes to support a public school system they do not use. This places a significant financial burden on many families, yet it is an issue that too often goes unaddressed by our elected officials.

There are several paths toward educational freedom. One of the most immediate and achievable steps is for Maryland to opt into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, as New York recently did. This program utilizes federal incentives and does not place an additional burden on the state budget.

I bring experience from service in the Maryland legislature, Congress, and multiple positions within the executive branch. I am a principled and committed advocate who is personally invested in these issues. Education is not just a policy matter for me; it is personal. I have taught history and English at Yeshiva Toras Simcha and understand firsthand the importance of ensuring that families can afford quality education.

I have also devoted my life to standing up for those who have no voice. In 2015, during the rise of ISIS, I witnessed the atrocities being committed against religious minorities in Iraq and Syria, including the mass slaughter of the Yazidi people in Sinjar. In response, I joined a Kurdish militia in Syria and fought on the front lines against ISIS. Approximately one-quarter of the friends I served alongside were killed protecting their families and defending freedom. My experiences in Syrian Kurdistan were later covered by the Jerusalem Post.

After returning from Syria, I encountered Yiddishkeit in a profound way and eventually attended Ohr Somayach Yeshiva. That experience transformed my life. I am deeply grateful for the yeshivos and Torah institutions in Eretz Yisrael that American Jews help sustain through their charitable support.

Unfortunately, that support has come under threat. Legislative proposals have been introduced that would restrict nonprofit organizations from sending funds to certain areas of Israel, including parts of Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. One such proposal was supported by Delegate Steinett. Had it passed, numerous religious institutions, including my own yeshiva, could have been blacklisted and cut off from support.

My long-term vision is to break the monopoly that government-run schools currently hold over education in many communities. School choice should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Every parent should have the opportunity to choose a safe, high-quality educational environment that reflects their values and meets their children’s needs.

In the short term, I will focus on securing Maryland’s participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit. This federal program, signed into law by President Trump, allows states to opt in and dramatically expand scholarship opportunities for students attending private schools.

The impact would be significant. Donors who contribute to scholarship organizations in participating states can receive a 100% federal tax credit. As a result, many donors currently have a greater incentive to direct their charitable dollars to schools in states like New York rather than schools in Maryland. This means scholarship funding that could benefit Maryland families is instead flowing elsewhere.

By opting into this program, Maryland can attract those resources back into our state and dramatically increase the amount of scholarship assistance available to low-income and middle-income families.

I am a fighter. This issue is my mission. I am committed to advancing educational freedom, strengthening our community, and delivering real results for Maryland families.