OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy begins with love and respect for every child.

Our teachers form secure emotional bonds with each student, paving the path to a comfortable and natural environment for discovery and learning. We provide a high-quality early childhood education while simultaneously incorporating the values of our heritage. We value the blossoming of character in each student as much as we cheer on the development of academic skills.

We believe in…

Embracing Individuality

Each child is a unique and precious gift entrusted into our care. We believe in creating an environment where the children can grow and mature and contribute their own ideas to the learning process.


Chanoch Lana’ar Al Pi Darko

We believe in educating each child in his or her own way, fostering love and respect, thus enabling them to develop the capability to love and respect others.


Active Exploration

Recognizing children as natural explorers, we cultivate their curiosity through play and a rich environment filled with diverse learning opportunities.


CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Our Pathway To Growth

In our comprehensive curriculum, we prioritize fostering holistic development across all age groups, creating nurturing environments where children thrive and flourish. Here's an overview of our tailored approach.

OUR STORY

Since 1985, Gan Israel Preschool has been a continuous source of education and connection.

Graduates of our programs have maintained life-long connections, with some joining our Hebrew School, Summer Camp, Jewish Life-Cycle Celebrations and preschool staff. We feel fortunate that some have even returned to enroll their own children at Gan Israel. Under the direction of Morah Chanie Baron and the guidance of the wonderful staff that have joined the Gan Israel Family, children learn both their alphabet and their aleph-bet simultaneously. Our child-centered environment provides opportunities for self-directed exploration as the children experience and absorb the joy, values and traditions of our Jewish heritage.

OUR CAMPUS

Gan Israel Preschool shares the almost five acres of open fields and orchards that is home to the Lubavitch Center for Jewish Education.

Gan Israel Preschool shares the almost five acres of open fields and orchards that is home to the Lubavitch Center for Jewish Education. The children’s play area includes a fully-equipped, fenced playground with plenty of open space for games and athletic activities.

The grounds also include an amphitheater, a fitness area, a fish pond, fruit trees, a vegetable garden and farm animals, all of which are integrated into our program of science learning and exploration. Holidays and special events are often celebrated with fairs, bounce houses and picnics making use of the spacious, natural setting. The entire campus is surrounded by a security fence and a controlled-access gate.

Our bright and spacious classrooms have high ceilings with many windows that allow for natural light and provide the staff and children with a magnificent view of all that nature has to offer. Through the seasons the children observe the fruit orchard, deer, rabbits, and birds of so many colors. Our classroom design is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Each of our classrooms have high-quality vinyl wood flooring, wooden tables, chairs, furniture and play centers and are intended to make the children feel at home. 

Gan Israel is licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Childhood Development.

It Takes a Village

MEET THE GAN ISRAEL FAMILY

Chanie Baron

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mushkie Fogelman

INFANT ROOM TEACHER

Hillary Kotler

INFANT ROOM TEACHER

Naomi Bloch

TODDLERS/2’S TEACHER

Kim Lenet

INFANT ROOM TEACHER

Jacqueline Sellei

INFANT ROOM TEACHER

Rochel Kagan

TODDLERS/2’S TEACHER

Samantha Kaiden

PRE-K TEACHER

Chaya Sufrin

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & PRE-K TEACHER

Leah Baron

PRE-K TEACHER

Support Staff & Aides

In addition to our lead staff, we are glad to have additional aides and support staff to assist in our classrooms. This year we welcome Miss Alayna Armon as an aide in the younger classes, Miss Tracey Greenbaum as an aide in the PreK Classroom, Morah Mushka Hackner from London as an aide in the Preschool/Pre-K Class, and Morah Eva Mendoza as an aide in multiple classrooms as well as aftercare.