Baruch Ha’Ba: Cultivating a Sense of Welcome

Here at our ECCs, we embark on each new school year and Jewish year with intention and unwavering commitment — to our values, our community, and our practices. Much like we consistently encourage children to explore and be curious, we find ourselves pondering how we can enhance our program and better support the young children under our care.

Throughout the past year, our team of educators has delved into the rights of children. We’ve engaged in discussions about their right to express even the toughest emotions, the right to immerse themselves in nature, and the right to nurture their independence. As we commenced this school year, we honed in on a specific right — the right to a welcoming space.

When a child steps into our classroom, our aim is for them to feel secure, cherished, and enthusiastic about discovering new things. As we meticulously design our rooms, we contemplate how the environment can provoke curiosity, promote self-sufficiency, and mirror the diversity of the children in the class. However, our classrooms don’t exist in isolation — our ECCs coexist within the larger WHC community and often serve as the first introduction to our congregation. And remember, this space isn’t exclusively for children! When a parent or caregiver walks in, we want them to sense that their children are cherished and secure and that this is a place where they can also engage and explore. We wish for our educators to enter knowing they’re valued and respected, with the assurance that we’ll keep investing in their professional advancement. Our schools embody a sense of community and learning, and it’s our goal that anyone who enters can feel it.

A vital aspect of feeling welcomed in a space is being afforded the chance to take ownership — to interact with the environment and see ourselves mirrored within it. As a new school year dawns, we contemplate how each child can make their new classroom their own. Just as we claim a new office or home by hanging up artwork or putting our name on the door, we want the children to experience the same in their classrooms. We extend an invitation to parents and caregivers to do likewise during our Back to School Nights — explore our Edlavitch-Tyser and Rabbi Joseph Weinberg ECCs and cultivate a sense of belonging and ease within our walls.

Our programs continue to flourish as we open our doors to new families and children at our ECCs. Both of our campuses offer ongoing admissions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in scheduling a tour or learning more!

For more information on our ECCs, please visit whctemple.org/ecc.