Five years ago, I walked into Gan Elohim for a tour with Nancy, the school’s long-time director. My daughter was just over a year and my plan was to scope out a few of the temple preschools in the area. After walking through the school and peeking into a few classrooms, I knew this was our place. It felt warm, welcoming, and joyfully Jewish. The following Fall, Ava started at Gan Elohim. A year later, we joined TBE as members. And now, our son Ethan is also a Gan Elohim student.

Ava is in the Rainbow Room, a transitional kindergarten year. She comes home from school and tells us about mystery letters, adopting a tree and making observations about its changes, her poem book, and incredible science experiments. She draws bubble letters and practices yoga. I find myself showing off her artwork and class projects to my family on FaceTime, because I’m just so proud of what she is learning at school.

This morning, I heard Ethan singing from his crib over the monitor. He is a happy-go-lucky toddler who loves music, Shabbat, and Cantor Shanna. He sings all the time, but I smiled to myself today as I heard him singing the words “it’s a brand new day, it’s a brand new day, when I wake up I say it’s a brand new day.” This is the English part of “Modeh Ani,” a prayer about gratitude. Ethan is in the Duckling Room this year, and I am pleasantly surprised and beyond grateful to watch him hop out in the carline with a huge smile on his face ready to learn, sing and play.

When I think of all the joy Gan Elohim has brought my family over the years, I feel so much gratitude. My kids have an incredible appreciation for Judaism and an amazing foundation for their education. We have all formed friendships that will last far beyond our preschool years.