In 2008, five Jewish high schools in Los Angeles partnered with BJE: Builders of Jewish Education, the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, the Simha & Sara Lainer Day School Endowment Fund, and the Jim Joseph Foundation to launch the LA High School Affordability Initiative (LAHSAI). The initiative was premised on the schools collectively raising $17 million in cash endowments , which would be matched by $4.25 million from the Lainer Endowment Fund, positioning the schools – and really the broader community – to be able to help middle income families enroll their daughters and sons in Jewish high schools for years to come.

Earlier this month, the five schools – Milken Community High School, New Community Jewish High School, Shalhevet High School, YULA Boys High School, and YULA Girls High School – reached that formidable benchmark of $17 million raised. When combined with the $4.25 million Lainer match, this means that $21.25 million in endowment funds will be providing the schools with yearly income for tuition assistance.