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May 13, 2005/Iyar 4 5765, Volume 57, No. 37
Early education options
Southeast Valley families can choose from four Jewish preschools
MARILYN HAWKES
Special to Jewish News
Anyone looking for a Jewish preschool in Chandler now has several choices.
Two new preschools will open for the upcoming school year: Sholom Preschool at Temple Beth Sholom, and The Chandler Jewish Preschool at Chabad of the East Valley.
In addition, the preschool at the East Valley Jewish Community Center Early Education Center, which has been in existence for 33 years, is moving in August from Tempe to Chandler.
Why all the interest in Chandler?
"The community is growing," Ilene Blau, executive director of the East Valley JCC explains. "We are relocating to try and be more centrally located to serve the community."
The EVJCC preschool serves approximately 80 students from age 2 through kindergarten. Teachers integrate instruction in Hebrew into lessons, and teach and celebrate Jewish holidays.
Temple Emanuel of Tempe, also in the East Valley, started a preschool three years ago and has 49 students, ages 2 through pre-kindergarten.
The Sholom Preschool, opening on Aug. 15, will offer classes for 2- to 4-year-olds with a bilingual approach to Judaic and secular studies.
Janette Silverman, director of education at Temple Beth Sholom, sees this as an opportunity to develop the Jewish connection at a younger level.
This will be the first preschool in the temple's 55-year history.
Temple Beth Sholom congregant and preschool chairman Cass Foster has been instrumental in making the school a reality. It took him many years to persuade the temple board that it was a good idea.
"I was convinced from day one that this is what our synagogue needed in order to attract young families and provide an attractive Jewish community for the numerous interfaith families in the East Valley," Foster said. "We have a large number of families in which either one of the parents converted to Judaism or one of the parents is not Jewish. They need to feel welcome and they need educational opportunities for their children."
The founders of Sholom Preschool also knew they needed something a little different to attract parents to the school. Silverman came up with the idea of offering an age-appropriate bilingual curriculum.
The Sholom Preschool will integrate Hebrew into the curriculum by using an immersion approach in all areas of the school.
Silverman offered an example.
"We'll have circle time twice a day. One will be in Hebrew, and one will be in English," she said. "We're not translating from one language to another, but we're teaching the kids how to manipulate the language. They will pick it up the same way they pick up any other language, because of context and facial expressions."
Preparations for the new school are underway, with a six-foot fence surrounding the outdoor play area under construction and new playground equipment being installed.
The Chandler Jewish Preschool, under the direction of Tzippy Lipskier, will open this fall with a combined class of 2- and 3-year olds. The preschool will be located at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Chandler.
Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley said that the goal this year is to have eight or nine students in the inaugural class. "We are hoping that by next year we'll have at least 20 students," Deitsch said.
The Chandler Jewish Preschool classrooms will be set up as learning centers for children to develop their motor, cognitive and social skills.
According to a recent press release, all activities will promote learning and growth in Judaica and general studies in a "fun, warm and nurturing atmosphere."
The school will be open to Jewish and non-Jewish children, Deitsch said. "We will offer a high level of Judaic and secular education," he said, "but everyone will know up front that we're not going to compromise the Judaic teaching."
Flexible scheduling and extended hours will be available to help meet the needs of working parents.
Deitsch doesn't see other preschools in the area as competition. "Everyone will benefit," he said. "There are a lot of Jews here."
Silverman agreed. "I think that each school has a different personality. It just means that there are more choices for people."
Marilyn Hawkes is a freelance writer in Scottsdale.
Details
Sholom Preschool
Temple Beth Sholom
3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler
480-897-3636
www.fivestarpublications.com/sholompreschool
Chandler Jewish Preschool
Chabad of the East Valley
Chabad Center for Jewish Life
3855 W. Ray Road, Suite #6, Chandler
480-855-4333
East Valley Jewish Community Center
908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler (as of August)
480-897-0588
www.evjcc.org
Temple Emanuel Preschool
5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe
480-838-1414, ext. 20
www.emanueloftempe.org
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