A warm welcome from Rabbi Rachel Ackerman

Dear Temple Shalom ELC families, 

Welcome to the Temple Shalom Early Learning Center. As a congregation that values the active participation of young families in all aspects of congregational life, the ELC is an integral part of our community. Education at Temple Shalom is a partnership between the families and the school. We encourage parents, grandparents, and other adults to be active participants in our children’s learning. 

Our goal is to connect families to our rich Jewish heritage enabling them to make informed choices as they bring Judaism into their modern lives and to meet the needs of all our students in a safe, nurturing, and caring learning environment. Our creative and dynamic faculty introduces our children to aspects of holidays, rituals, prayers, Hebrew, Torah, life cycle, and Israel in immersive and developmentally appropriate ways. We embody the teaching of Proverbs, “Teach a child according to their way, for when they are old they will not depart from it.” And we ensure that non-Jewish children and families always feel welcomed and engaged.

We are dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community and a commitment to lifelong Jewish learning in a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant setting. Our core values are stated in Talmud, “…on three things does the world stand: Torah, worship, and deeds of loving kindness.” These values resound throughout our halls as children sing Modeh Ani each morning (prayer of gratitude for a new day), making care packages for a friend that has had surgery, delivering birthday treats to Temple staff, collecting diapers and supplies for families struggling in our area, and celebrating Shabbat and Havdallah every week with such ruach (spirit) it can’t help but bring a smile to anyone in the building.

Our Early Learning Center also offers families with young children:

• Jewish family education with time to share together with our families and time for parents to learn at an adult level
• A vibrant and engaging music program both in the ELC and throughout the synagogue Tot Shabbats, potluck Shabbat dinners, and family holiday services
• Holiday celebrations including: a Purim carnival, Family Megillah (Book of Esther) reading, Chanukah programs, and Sukkah building
• Participation in Kids’ Time (infant-toddler/adult learning program) on Sunday Mornings (open to members and non-members) Pre-k religious school on Sunday mornings (available to members)
• The gift of membership: a year of free membership where your family can join the synagogue with no dues commitment and full membership benefits (including an ELC tuition discount) to see if our community is right for your family

I look forward to you joining our school and congregational family. Please reach out with questions or just to find some time to meet. I would love to get to know you and your family. 

L’Shalom (In Peace),

Rabbi Rachel Ackerman