The Chicago Cubs and JCC Chicago: A Winning Combination
As Chicago kicks off another exciting baseball season, the Chicago Cubs are giving back to local neighborhood schools through a matching grant opportunity. We are so excited to share that our very own Florence G. Heller JCC has been chosen to receive a matching grant of up to $25K! Every dollar donated to Heller JCC […] Learn More ›
Week of the Young Child: A Celebration of Learning and Tradition
A highlight of the school year at Bernard Horwich JCC Early Childhood Center is always our monthly Rosh Chodesh celebrations. Children have the opportunity to participate in special programs led by Morah Miriam and Morah Jody that reflect the Jewish holiday or an event that is in that month. The children are busy learning in their […] Learn More ›
The Self-Portrait: How we build self-awareness, identify, individuality and normalize differences
Conversations with children can be many things: enlightening, funny, creative and thoughtful. Children notice differences around them all the time. They notice changes in their environment, changes in themselves and they absolutely notice when someone doesn’t look or act like them. These are important skills children develop as they mature. How do we as teachers, […] Learn More ›
The Daily Practice of Being Thankful
It’s very American to be thankful once a year around Thanksgiving. But, it’s profoundly Jewish to be thankful daily. Being gracious and thankful brings me such joy…not happiness…joy (which is different), and it enables me to reflect on the preciousness of my life right now, how beautiful and special my family is and how lucky […] Learn More ›
Making Thanksgiving Meaningful for Young Children
As Thanksgiving approaches, I naturally begin to think about the story I was taught as a child about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. I still have pictures of myself standing up in a school play, dressed in a feather headband, acting out a scene about the Mayflower. Times have changed. Teaching preschoolers about our history […] Learn More ›
Sorry Seems to Be… the Easiest Word
With the first weeks of school behind us and the temperatures starting to cool, we are immersed in the contemplative mode of the High Holidays. This is meant to be a time of deep reflection as we acknowledge our wrongdoings and seek forgiveness from those we may have hurt in the past year. As a […] Learn More ›