This week, something extraordinary happened in our Early Childhood Development Center. We walked the red carpet—not in Hollywood, but right here at the JCC—into a preschool classroom transformed into an Oscar Awards ceremony. The stars of the day? Our early learners, beaming with pride as they premiered a film they not only acted in, but helped to shape their very own Passover movie.
This joyful celebration wasn’t just adorable (though it certainly was that!); it was an explicit example of our child-centric approach in action and how necessary it is to nurture the imagination and dignity of every child.
Our entire approach to early learning is based on the premise that children are capable, curious, and full of potential. Learning is not something poured into them, but something they actively construct through exploration, relationships, and meaningful experiences. Our educators harnessed the children’s natural curiosity about the Passover story and used it as the springboard for a collaborative, weeks-long creative journey.
Together, the children studied the themes of Passover, built props, rehearsed lines, and shaped their own telling of this ancient narrative in a way that made it personal and real to them. The film they created is not just a project—it’s a testament to their thinking, their voice, and their sense of connection to Jewish tradition.
Watching them sit in their classroom-turned-theater, clapping for their friends and accepting Oscars for everything from “Best at Leading the Charge, “Most Persistent,” “Best Building Support,” and “Most Enthusiastic,” was to witness the heart of what Jewish early childhood education is all about. And a special shout out to Barb Zelekovitz for being recognized as “Best Director.”
We are deeply proud of our educators for supporting the environment where this kind of learning can flourish, and of our young friends for reminding us that storytelling and creativity are as alive and well today as they were during the time of the Exodus.
Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,
Jason
