2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

continually stressing Jewish values. Our Judaica specialist working closely with our students, parents, and teachers,
strives to instill an understanding and love for the beauty of our Judaic heritage by catering to a child’s natural curiosity
and ability to learn through their senses. The staff strives to lay a foundation upon which we can continually build,
positively influencing the people they will become. Activities range from songs, dances, foods, crafts, holiday stories,
prayers, mitzvot, tzedakah, comprehensive values curriculums; Holiday interactive learning stations, plays, creative
dramatics, prayers, Hebrew, Israel, holidays, Shabbat celebrations, Jewish parent education, Teacher in-service etc.
Our continuing ongoing sister school relationship with a preschool, student population at poverty level, affords us the
opportunity to foster a wonderfully mutually enriching union between two very different groups of children and staffs.
Our sister school visits our facility by donated school bus trips and once here they share and participate in some of our
thrilling totally sensory days; ex: “Fall In Florida” -- leaves imported from the East are scattered over the entire
playground. Children rake leaves, play and move on to other interactive areas; clothes washing on scrub boards in metal
tubs, apple sorting and picking, leaf rubbings, farmers market with huge suspended ceiling scales, etc. “Winter Day” --
tons of ice/snow blown onto the playground, sledding downhill, snowball fun, etc. Thanksgiving dinners are cooked by
our children and then delivered to our sister school children’s families to enhance their holiday. Our students earn
money and then donate it for supplies for our sister school as well as holiday gifts for the individual students at the
school.
This past year Hurricane Wilma left much devastation in it’s wake. Temple Beth Am was exceedingly
fortunate, and our facility sustained minimal damage. We were therefore able to reach out to those in need and lend a
helping hand to our neighbors of Faith Christian School. This ecumenical coming together has truly been a life altering
experience for all involved. In extending our hand of friendship and opening our school building to them we have
embraced each other and have forged a bond of care that can never be broken. The children of the Faith Christian
School have participated with our students during many of our special activities throughout the school year and the staff
of Faith Christian participated with our staff during many activities as well. Our neighbors were exceedingly grateful for
our hospitality and in turn this act of kindness has enriched all of our lives forever.
All of the above is a broad overview of our quality, award winning Early Childhood program. It clearly
enumerates the great importance we place on our role as the leading Jewish Early Childhood Center in Broward County.
Our future poses many challenges. Within the framework of all of the innovations we have instituted within the last year
I believe that we have proved that we can meet the challenges that lie ahead and embrace the opportunities yet to come.
Again, we thank you for your consideration and for the distinct pleasure of applying for the Solomon Schecter Award of
Overall Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
HONORABLE MENTION
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
500-900 New Rochelle, NY
Submitted by Ronnie Becher 914-235-2700
The Jewish and seasonal calendars fuel our curriculum. We begin to instill in children a love of and appreciation for
their Jewish traditions in a developmentally appropriate manner. As we move through the calendar year, our students
experience Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and the holidays through song, cooking, art, literature and dance. Great attention is
paid to documenting the children’s work through their own words, either dictated or written, and through photos. Our
Nursery School is committed to hands-on, experiential learning.
HONORABLE MENTION
HAR TZEON-AGUDATH ACHIM
250-500 Silver Spring, MD
Submitted by Sharon Wolfson 301-649-3800
Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim Early Childhood Center is a full day, multi-age preschool. We are a yearround
program with 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old children. We have completed our fifth year with an enrollment of sixteen
children. We are licensed by the Maryland Department of Education Child Care Office and with Health and Human
Services. We are also part of the Early Childhood Department of the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning.
Our professional staff is committed to enriching the lives of young children by creating a stimulating and
educational classroom, while integrating Judaic and general studies materials. Observance of Mitzvot such as hamotz