Jewish Values

Jewish values — looking through Jewish lenses

By joining the fundamentals of the Reggio Approach with Jewish values and ideas, the teachers at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten create important foundations for our children – foundations that will help them develop social skills, self-esteem and moral outlook. Teaching through the Jewish Lenses also lays the groundwork that helps our educators and parents develop a shared vision of learning while gaining a deeper understanding of Judaism.

The JECEI encourages Jewish educators to interpret the values and lessons found within the Lenses as they work toward fostering greater bonds among children, families and with our neighbors. Learning through JECEI Jewish Lenses articulates our approach to education and the all-encompassing goal at the JCA to nurture passion through creativity, exploration and play.

For each lens, there is a Hebrew word to capture its essence as well as a literal translation.

Masa: Journey (Reflection, Return and Renewal): Families come together to begin the continual journey and make time for moments of celebration, to gather for Shabbat, holidays and important moments.

B'rit: Covenant (Belonging and Commitment): The families and educators in Jewish Early Childhood Education schools enter into a “covenant” of mutual support with clearly defined but evolving obligations and roles.

Tzelem ELokim: Devine Image (Dignity and Potential): The school community honors and celebrates everyone’s uniqueness and diversity.

K'dushah: Holiness (Intentionality and Presence): Families come together to appreciate the blessings of having a community.

Hit'orerut: Awakening (Amazement and Gratitude): This is built on children’s joy of discovery, their sense of amazement and wonder as a source of energy.

D'rash: Interpretation (Inquiring, Dialogue and Transmission): By studying together and through joint inquiry and dialogue, the community bonds and grows.

Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World (Responsibility): This lens emphasizes the school communities’ responsibility to the world around us.

At Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten our curriculum is based on a unique variety of approaches. Activities and experiences for children are based on the best practices of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Reggio Approach, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, Sheva, Growing Up Wild and the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI) Jewish Lenses.

Every early childhood learning experience at the JCA is hands-on and formulated to help children reach their potential in scientific discovery, problem-solving and critical thinking, in an emotionally safe and nurturing environment.

We invite you to join us at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, where we engage our children and prepare them to succeed through physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language and moral development.

To learn more about the programs and early childhood education available at the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten, please call the JCA at (904)730-2100 ext. 235.

For more information about the Reggio Approach to Learning please visit: www.reggiochildren.it

The JECEI Lenses/Values - Copyright ©2011 by Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative.