A Parent’s Perspective

Maimonides Hebrew Preschool   “Jewish learning every day in a loving caring way’’

My little Jacob has been in Maimonides Hebrew Preschool for three weeks now… what an answer to my prayers!

My Jewish identity has long been an important part of my life.  It all began with my childhood memories at shabbas.  Grandpa davening beautiful Hebrew bruchas.  Grandma’s wonderful Jewish cooking.  Dad holding me on his lap at shul as I fell asleep on his shoulder Friday nights.  At the age of 5 these experiences made their mark on my soul.  Holidays and Jewish camp continued my love for being Jewish.  But I know it was those earliest of times that really engraved in me a love of Judaism.

Now I am a parent with the daunting task of raising new little souls from infancy to adulthood.   I have so many hopes and dreams for my children. I realize how little I can actually control the outcome.  But I think back and hypothesize that maybe if I start providing these Jewish memories as early as possible, just maybe, they will contribute to a love of Judaism in my children.

About 6 months ago, Lowell and I started reading a goodnight prayer and saying the shema every night before Jacob goes to bed.  Now little Jacob smiles with anticipation when we take the prayer book off  the shelf.  This nightly morsel has started a joyful feeling in my little one.  And so I have thought about and prayed for ways to add more little Jewish morsels to Jacob’s life.  Maimonides Hebrew preschool has definitely been the answer to those prayers.

Everyday Jacob goes to preschool.  He does all the wonderful things that preschoolers do -  plays with his new friends, dances and listens to songs, does little art projects (how adorable), listens to stories, and learns about colors, numbers, and abcs.  The greatest bonus is that everyday these experiences have the morsels of Judaism added to them!  When they have a snack or lunch they make a brucha,  the songs are Jewish and speak of mitzvot, abcs include the Hebrew aleph bais, and the art projects are related to this weeks Jewish lesson.

Jacob’s teacher is such a loving sweet woman.  When I walk in, I feel like I’m with family.  I don’t feel like I’m dropping him off at school.   I feel like I’m taking him to Bubbe’s house to play with his cousins.

“Jewish learning every day … in a loving caring way.”   Yeah, that really says it all.

Michelle Schoenfeld