Page 41 - Jewish News_04-2021

FOCUS ON YOUTH April 2021 41A

Community Day School partnership aims

to lower barriers to early childhood education

arly learning difficulties have for low-income families and anoth- values-based educational foundation. Most brain development occurs
skyrocketed during the pan- er $50,000 to serve as a match to ex- “Community Day School has en- before age five, which is why a child’s
Edemic and families are paying pand early learning efforts. The school hanced its reputation for outstanding learning experiences during that win-
the price. While the need for childcare educational programming and remains dow are so critical.
is greater than ever, parents are finding focused on being a diverse and inclu- This support was granted as the
it harder – and more expensive – to se- sive school,” said Teri A Hansen, Pres- Barancik Foundation looks to expand
cure quality learning opportunities for ident|CEO of Barancik Foundation. its efforts to help children thrive at a
their young ones. One new partnership “These efforts ensure more students point where brains are hardwired in
aims to relieve the issue. will have the benefits from an excep- ways that have lifelong consequences:
As Hershorin Schiff Community tional education, especially those who from the first three years of a child’s
Day School prepares for its move to need it most.” life to five years.
a new campus for the 2021-22 school
year, it has recently partnered with the
Charles & Margery Barancik Founda- HERSHORIN SCHIFF
tion to lower barriers to enrollment and COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL
ensure more families are able to benefit Serving Preschool - Grade 8
from the school’s academic excellence Preschooler Mosley Brittain enjoys Socially distanced classes Torah Academy
and purposeful pluralism. working on an arts and crafts project Low student:teacher ratios Daily fine arts
The Barancik Foundation has welcomes community contributions Individualized instruction Athletics for all K-8
awarded $100,000 to bolster the toward the scholarship matching incen- Outdoor learning and play Medical professional on-site
school’s existing scholarship program tive in order to maximize access to its for all Accredited by FCIS, FKC &
Prizmah
Hebrew and Spanish offered
1050 S. Tuttle Avenue | Sarasota, FL 34237 | communityday.org | 941-552-2770
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with your Jewish Community

A program of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, PJ Library & PJ
Our Way engages children between birth and age 12, and their families, with facebook.com/jfedsrq
books and activities that enhance their Jewish journey. Throughout the year,
families gather for story times and other special programs where they can
socialize and meet new friends. PJ is for any family raising Jewish children –
affiliated, unaffiliated, interfaith or non-traditional. The program is completely
free for families, thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Founda-
tion, Edie and David Chaifetz, the Federation and other generous donors.
Celebrating Earth
Temple Emanu-El’s Sixth-Grade Kallah is virtual – By MG Berman, PJ Library Community Connector

and meaningful very year, Earth Day, also even if it is our own property. Instead,
known as International Mother
we should seek further usage of the
EEarth Day globally, is cele- object and to give it another chance to
brated on April 22. This day began in help others.
1970 with the vision of U.S. Senator Our third value is shomrei adamah,
Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. He which means “Guardians of the Earth.”
organized demonstrations around the As humans we can influence Mother RE A D — S I NG — DA NCE — G AT HE R — GR OW
country to raise Nature unlike other animals. This has ®
awareness about benefits (technology, buildings, civi- PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free, high-quality
environmental is- lization) and dangers (war, pollution, children’s books, music, and resources that foster deeper engagement with
sues. By the end of disease). We are responsible for every- Jewish life in our community.
that year, the U.S. thing that happens. The Earth is some- Join one of our PJ programs below
government had thing that has been given to us to take to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey.
created the Envi- care of for future generations.
ronmental Protec- Here in Sarasota-Manatee, there are Children Ages 6 mo. thru 8 years
tion Agency. many things we can do to help improve
MG Berman This year, we our planet. If we all ensure we are recy-
will celebrate the 51 anniversary of cling properly, it helps out a lot more
st
Earth Day. Why does this matter to us? than one would think. When you go for
We have three core Jewish values a walk, take a bag and some gloves so Sign-up at JFEDSRQ.org/PJ
that are directly related to the Earth as that if you see any trash you can col-
Jews. Our first value is l’dor v’dor, the lect it and dispose of it correctly. Go
imperative that we pass on our Earth to your favorite garden center and get Children Ages 8 thru 12 years
“from generation to generation.” We a few plants to add to your yard while
are told in the Bible that Adam was having the younger generations help.
placed in the Garden of Eden to “till The Giving Tree by Shel Silver-
and tend.” The Hebrew word for “tend” stein is a great book to read and talk
is used for Jewish law to mean a legal about with your children. Ask them ev-
sense of guardianship, thus making us erything the tree gave to the boy and Sign-up at pjourway.org
trustees of the Earth. what the boy gave to the tree. You will
Our second value is bal tashchit, find the conversation illuminating. For more information, contact
which means “do not destroy.” It is a For more information about PJ Li- Jessi Sheslow
religious value that also goes back to brary, visit jfedsrq.org/youth-programs jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
the Bible. We are taught to not destroy or email me at mgpjconnector@gmail. 941.343.2109 PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is generously
Students and families enjoy special time preparing for the B’nai Mitzvah year funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz.
at Temple Emanu-El Religious School’s Sixth-Grade Kallah anything of potential human benefit, com.