Gan Elohim is and will forever be a special part of our family.

April 3, 2011 Andrew and I got married and became the first wedding to be held in the new building of Temple Beth Elohim. We filled the sanctuary with music, prayer, gratitude and love.  It was magical moment and one of many that cemented Andrew and my love for each other, Judaism and TBE.

L’Dor vador has always been a part of us.  When we had children, we knew we wanted Judaism to be as important to them as it is to us.  Instilling Jewish values, knowledge and tradition into growing children is easy and hard. There are some innate Jewish values that as parents we hope we foster but there is so much more we wanted for our kids.  Choosing Gan Elohim as a preschool for Jacob and Daniel was an easy decision. Gan Elohim has given our kids and our family a community within our community and a natural extension to our Jewish parenting.

Our kids surprise us every day with knowledge and stories.  We hear amazing accounts about life, nature, tzedakah and Jewish holidays.  Our children have learned so much – “cucumbers are actually fruits,” “chipmunks and squirrels are related,” “some babies don’t have enough food so we are giving our tzedakah to them,” and “on Purim we read the Magilla.”  The teachers and administrators fill the hallway and classrooms with love, respect, Jewish values and so much joy.

The Gan Elohim community goes beyond the school walls.  Our children’s friends have become our family friends and the school (and other families with young children) activities have become our social life.  We feel so blessed to be a part of the Gan Elohim community. It may end when our children turn five but the friendships and foundation will be part of our lives forever.