At Gan Ami preschool, core Jewish values and practices are a part of our daily routine.  Every classroom begins the morning by singing Modeh Ani and ends the week on Friday celebrating Shabbat with an all school Shabbat Sing.  In between those moments, Jewish traditions are integral to our program.  All of the holidays are celebrated in a creative and enthusiastic way.  Music is an important part of Jewish culture and is taught in every classroom.   The music curriculum, led by our music specialist, Wendy Cohen, includes some traditional melodies, and lots more new and energetic Jewish songs for young children.  Hebrew is also a part of our day and your child will have an opportunity to learn commonly used Hebrew words and expressions from a native Hebrew speaker. 

Another important foundation of the Gan Ami program is An Ethical Start?, a values curriculum designed exclusively for JCC preschools.  These values from Pirkei Avot, such as, Who is Rich?  The one who is happy with what he or she has, and don’t look at the jug, rather, what is on the inside, allow us to stress values and participation in a community in a positive, fun, interactive way.  This program is funded in part from Steven Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation and is one of the highlights of a JCC preschool education. 

For more information on An Ethical Start?, please contact Rabbi Shari Shamah, sshamah@jccmilwaukee.org , Jewish Family Specialist at (414) 967-8229.  You can also see An Ethical Start in Action by clicking here.  [Link to www.anethicalstart.org]

Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative  (JECEI)

You want your preschool to be the best.  You desire a program that is dynamic, open to change and constantly aiming for growth and refinement.  Gan Ami prides itself on doing just that.  Toward that end, Gan Ami is participating in JECEI, a national initiative to further enhance and guide Jewish preschools.  The overall goal is to help make Jewish preschools vital and dynamic early childhood educational institutions.