About Us / History

About Us / History

About Us

The Kehillah School for Early Learning has been a trusted provider of educational experiences for over a decade, and has met the developmental, social, and academic needs of hundreds of children from several Westchester communities during that time.

With small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios, individualized attention can be given to every child and family in our program. We understand that each child progresses at his or her own pace in all aspects of learning and extend support and encouragement each step of the way.

 Age-appropriate activities challenge each child to develop his/her social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual potential. Teachers here are emotionally responsive to the children in their care, as the building and strengthening of healthy relationships is a priority of ours. The ever-changing, emergent curriculum provides children with opportunities to delve into questions as they arise, teaching them the merits of intellectual curiosity. In fully exploring topics of relevance to them, learning through imaginative play, and expressing themselves through a variety of media, children emerge from this program with strong foundations of independence and self-esteem that are critical to their ongoing personal and academic development.

The Kehillah School for Early Learning is governed by the rules and regulations of the Office of Children and Family Services, which oversees teacher ratios, health and program plans, safety measures, and much more. We are licensed as a year round, twelve-hour day program. 

Kehillah families are invited to participate as members of Temple Israel’s congregation. Please check with Executive Director, Anita Aronoff, to learn the details of our Temple Membership Benefit.

Jewish Life

Every Friday, our Kehillah School children gather in the Temple Israel Sanctuary for Shabbat where members of our clergy team lead them in joyous song and dance. The children love to invite their family and friends of all faiths and backgrounds to join in this weekly celebration of the happy achievements of our school children and of course, singing and dancing to signify the end of another week.

Temple Israel welcomes all Kehillah families throughout the year by offering specifically designed programs for Kehillah-aged children. For instance, Temple Israel offers special high holiday services for young families with Kehillah school-aged children. Throughout the year, the Jewish holidays are celebrated with special activities both on- and off-campus, including apple picking, menorah lightings, and other family-friendly celebrations.

Kehillah and Temple Israel provide welcoming environments for all levels of Jewish practice and knowledge, and all family and friends of differing backgrounds and traditions are warmly welcomed at our services and activities.

History

Temple Israel has a rich history of celebrating the joys, achievements, and milestones of guiding children from babyhood at 6 weeks to early childhood at 6 years old.

In 2011, Temple Israel forged an alliance, teaming with Bright Horizons to bring the Temple’s renowned Early Childhood Program to the next step of its development. Temple Israel offered the essence of a learning community and its teachings to these young Kehillah participants, while Bright Horizons guided the administrative work that was needed to elevate the program and its offerings.

In 2021, Temple Israel, while maintaining its strength of teaching Jewish Early Childhood, took over the management of the day-to-day organization of teachers and administration. Our Kehillah School for Early Learning is now run completely in-house, making for an even more cohesive and stronger program, driven by the values of Temple Israel and its sacred community.

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