WELCOME TO GAN SHALOM – DIRECTOR’S NOTE

 

Gan Shalom Berkeley has been a beacon of the best in early childhood education for the East Bay Jewish community for more than 30 years. An open and inclusive community, we are a Jewish preschool serving families who are affiliated with various Jewish denominations, are secular, or are interfaith. Gan Shalom is a strong community where each child has the opportunity to flourish as they are and to be supported in their unique development and in their interactions with peers and adults. We believe that all children are intelligent and curious. We work alongside them to help them create new ideas, learn about Jewish culture and identity, and to learn to be respectful citizens of the world to shape a better future.

Mission Statement: Our Jewish play-based program at Gan Shalom is safe and welcoming. Children learn together in a high-quality, supportive environment where their development is nurtured. We take pride in providing our educators with the tools to grow, enabling them to implement best current practices. Our core values, b’tzelem elokim, kavod, kehillah and tikkun olam, guide us in our day-to-day relationships with our students, Gan families, and the greater Jewish community. Gan Shalom is a learning community and strives to provide excellence in Jewish early childhood education.

Philosophy: Gan Shalom draws its philosophy from modern early childhood education researchers as well as our ancient Jewish rabbis. We take inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach to education, which believes that children learn through playing with others. Children are curious, competent, and have “one hundred languages” to express themselves. The Gan Shalom educators act as facilitators to learning and plan curriculum around what emerges from the children.

We utilize our Jewish values as the underlying connection to everything that we do in the classroom:

• B’tzelem Elokhim (pronounced “bet-sell-em el-oh-heem”) – Created in the Image of HaShem: Each child is in a different point of development and has the inherent right to get their needs met. We celebrate our differences, highlight our successes, and learn from our mistakes. Educators build strong relationships with each child and work with parents to ensure the child is thriving.
• Kavod (pronounced “cah-vode”) – Deep Honor/Respect: We deeply honor and respect each member of our community. We communicate this honor through our words and our actions.
• Kehillah (pronounced “keh-he-lah”) – Community: Gan Shalom is one community. We celebrate each other through the good and hold each other up.
• Tikkun Olam (pronounced “tee-coon oh-lam”) – Repairing the World: Beyond the kindness that we share with one another, Gan Shalom actively works to make our world a better place. We do this by recycling and composting and by reusing materials. We are committed to being a green school, and we look forward to partnering with you to make this happen.

Welcome to our Gan Shalom kehillah!