By Marni Mandell, CEO, Shalom Orlando
6 minute read

One of the questions I hear most often since returning to lead Shalom Orlando is this:

Why choose a Jewish preschool?

Sometimes the question comes from Jewish families. Sometimes it comes from families who aren't Jewish but have heard wonderful things about our school and want to understand what makes a Jewish preschool unique.

It's an important question, and one I love answering.

The truth is that a Jewish preschool is, first and foremost, an exceptional preschool. Children are learning letters, numbers, reading, writing, problem-solving, collaboration, and social-emotional skills every day. They are building confidence, developing friendships, asking questions, and discovering how the world works.

The Jewish part isn't separate from that learning. It's woven naturally into the fabric of each day through songs, traditions, holidays, values, community, and a sense of belonging.

At our school, those experiences don't compete with one another. They strengthen one another. Children are growing academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually, all within a warm and nurturing community that helps them feel known, valued, and connected.

What does a Jewish preschool do differently?

A Jewish preschool weaves Jewish traditions and values into everyday life in ways that feel joyful, grounding, and meaningful for young children.

Children celebrate Shabbat every Friday. They sing Hebrew songs, experience Jewish holidays as they unfold throughout the year, and grow up in a community that values kindness, curiosity, learning, responsibility, and caring for one another. They learn that asking questions is encouraged, that community matters, and that they are part of something larger than themselves.

At the same time, the academic foundation remains strong and developmentally appropriate. Children are learning letters, numbers, reading, writing, problem-solving, and collaboration every day. In our classrooms, much of that learning happens naturally through storytelling, writing, reading, building, creating, and project work that captures children's genuine interests and imagination.

The Jewish experience isn't separate from the learning. It becomes part of the rhythm of the day, adding another layer of meaning, connection, and belonging to a child's early years.

Shabbat at the ECLC

**One of the most special moments of the week at the Adler Early Childhood Learning Center happens every Friday morning.**

Children from across the school come together to celebrate Shabbat. There are candles, challah, songs, blessings, and joyful traditions that help mark the transition from the busy week into a time of rest, gratitude, and connection.
Even our youngest children quickly learn the melodies and routines. By the end of the year, many are singing the blessings with confidence and excitement, often surprising their families with how much they've absorbed.

What makes this tradition so meaningful is that it creates a consistent rhythm in children's lives. Every week, they experience a moment that says: let's pause, come together, celebrate, and connect with one another.

One of the things I love most is that Shabbat isn't only for the children. Every week, parents, grandparents, and other special family members are invited to join us. It's not unusual to see multiple generations sitting together, singing the same songs, sharing in the same traditions, and creating memories that extend far beyond the classroom.

Families often tell us that Shabbat becomes one of the highlights of their week. There is something incredibly special about hearing your child sing a Shabbat song at the dinner table or watching them proudly share a blessing they've learned at school. These are the moments that often become cherished family memories.

And while Shabbat is a deeply Jewish tradition, the experience itself feels welcoming and accessible to families of all backgrounds. Children are naturally drawn to music, rituals, celebrations, and the joy of gathering together. They don't just learn about community, they experience it.

In many ways, our weekly Shabbat celebration captures what we're trying to build throughout the school: a place where children feel connected, families feel welcome, and community is something we create together.

Holidays as they arrive through the year

One of the beautiful things about Jewish early childhood education is that the Jewish calendar creates a natural rhythm throughout the year, giving children recurring moments of celebration, reflection, connection, and joy.

At our preschool, children experience each holiday with all of their senses. Through stories, songs, art, hands-on projects, special foods, classroom traditions, and community celebrations, the holidays come alive in ways that are meaningful and memorable.

Rosh Hashanah arrives with apples and honey and conversations about new beginnings.
Sukkot brings outdoor celebrations, time in the sukkah, and the excitement of shaking the lulav and etrog.
Hanukkah fills our classrooms with light, music, and tradition.
Purim arrives with costumes, laughter, creativity, and joyful celebration.
Passover and Shavuot each bring their own stories, experiences, and opportunities for learning and connection.

At this age, children connect with the feeling of the holidays before they fully understand all of their meaning. They remember the songs, the traditions, the celebrations, and the people they shared them with. Those early emotional connections often become the foundation for a lifelong sense of identity and belonging.

For families who are not Jewish, the experience is often surprisingly universal. Young children are naturally drawn to stories, music, rituals, celebrations, and shared experiences. What they feel most is the warmth of community, the excitement of tradition, and the joy of celebrating together.

The values underneath the classroom experience

One of the reasons Jewish early childhood education has resonated so strongly for generations is that many Jewish values align beautifully with what young children need developmentally.

Questions are welcomed

One of the things I love most about Jewish tradition is that it places such a high value on curiosity and thoughtful questioning.

At the ECLC, children grow up in classrooms where questions are not only welcomed, they're encouraged. Teachers ask questions. Children ask questions. Together, they wonder, explore, investigate, and discover.

Learning isn't about memorizing the right answers. It's about developing the confidence to ask good questions, think critically, and stay curious about the world around them.

That spirit of curiosity is deeply rooted in both Jewish learning and excellent early childhood education, and it becomes part of everyday life in our classrooms.

Caring for other people matters

Kindness, empathy, and caring for others are woven into everyday life at our school.

Children learn these values not through lectures, but through lived experiences. They learn what it means to be a good friend, to help someone who needs support, to welcome a new classmate, and to contribute to their classroom community.

Along the way, they are introduced to concepts like mitzvah, the idea that our actions matter and that we each have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

These lessons may seem small in the moment, but they help build the foundation for compassionate, thoughtful human beings who understand the importance of community and caring for one another.

Community feels real

One of the unique things about being part of the Adler Early Childhood Learning Center is that children are growing up within a vibrant Jewish community.

They begin to understand that they are part of something larger than their own classroom. Families get to know one another. Teachers know parents and grandparents. Children see familiar faces at community events, holiday celebrations, Camp J, and throughout the Roth Family JCC.

Relationships form naturally across generations, creating a sense of connection that extends well beyond the school day.

For young children, that feeling of belonging is powerful. It gives them a sense of security, identity, and connection. They learn that community isn't just something we talk about. It's something we build together every day.

Identity develops naturally

The preschool years are an important time for children to begin developing an understanding of who they are, where they come from, and the traditions, values, and stories that shape their families.

For Jewish children, those early years help build a strong and positive connection to their Jewish identity. For children from other backgrounds, the experience often deepens their appreciation for their own family traditions while helping them learn about and respect the traditions of others.

Both are valuable.

When children grow up in an environment that celebrates identity, community, and belonging, they learn to feel confident in who they are while developing curiosity, understanding, and respect for people whose experiences may be different from their own.

What about families who are not Jewish?

One question we are often asked is whether our preschool is only for Jewish families.

The answer is no.

Many of the families in our Jewish preschool in Maitland are not Jewish. Some were initially drawn to our educational philosophy, our teachers, or our warm and nurturing environment. Others connected with the strong sense of community they felt when they walked through our doors.

What they discovered is that the values at the heart of our school are universal. Kindness. Community. Curiosity. Gratitude. Respect. Caring for others.

Children participate fully alongside their classmates. They sing the songs, celebrate the holidays, join in Shabbat, and become part of the life of the school. They learn about Jewish traditions while also being encouraged to value and share their own family traditions and experiences.

We are not asking families to become Jewish. We are inviting them into a caring community rooted in values, relationships, and traditions that help children thrive.

Many families find that they come for the preschool and stay because of the sense of connection and belonging they discover along the way.

Why this matters right now

The past few years have been challenging for many families in the Jewish community. Even when young children don't fully understand what's happening around them, they often pick up on the emotions and concerns of the adults they love.

That's one reason why community matters so much.

A Jewish preschool offers something deeply valuable: consistency, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Week after week, children gather with friends. They celebrate holidays. They sing familiar songs. They light candles. They participate in traditions that connect them to something larger than themselves.

These rituals create a sense of comfort and continuity. They remind children that they are part of a caring community and a story that stretches across generations.

That steadiness matters for children. It matters for parents. And it matters for grandparents watching the next generation grow.

At its heart, this is about helping children develop a strong sense of identity, community, connection, and belonging. It is about creating spaces where they feel safe, supported, and proud of who they are, while building relationships that will carry them forward for years to come.

A note from me

I have deep roots in this community. My grandmother served as the second female president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando in 1981, and I attended the Adler Early Childhood Learning Center as a child myself.

Coming back to lead Shalom Orlando feels like a full-circle moment. It's deeply personal, not only because this community helped shape who I am, but because I believe so strongly in the importance of this work.

Every day, we have the opportunity to help children build confidence, develop friendships, discover who they are, and experience the joy of being part of a caring community. There are few things more meaningful than that.

If you're exploring preschool options for your family, whether you're Jewish or not, I encourage you to come visit.

Join us for a Shabbat celebration. Spend time in the classrooms. Talk with our teachers and families. Experience the warmth, energy, and sense of connection that make this place so special.

You'll know very quickly whether it feels like the right place for your child to learn, grow, and thrive.

Book a tour of the Early Childhood Learning Center

Why a Jewish Preschool, and What That Means for Your Child