Early Childhood
Programs are open to non-members unless otherwise stated.
We provide a safe, cozy, stimulating and nurturing child-responsive environment in which teachers and clergy are sensitive to develop- mental stages of young children and to each child as an individual. With many and varied developmentally appropriate materials available, the children learn through play with one another.
Contact Lisa Erkus or Sara Rubin, Gan Shalom Directors, for days, times, an application and additional information at 516-627-6274 or email at GanShalom@rsns.org
Gan Shalom / Come Play With Me
1 - 2 Year Olds *Pending OCFS regulations*
Children along with their parents/caregivers play, paint, sing and share snacks.
Gan Shalom / Nursery School
1.9 Years – 5 Year Olds
This program offers a quality Jewish preschool experience in a safe, relaxed and nurturing environment. We believe in fostering each child’s natural curiosity, imagination, problem solving skills and creativity. Children are encouraged to experiment with a variety of materials while participating in individual and group activities. The curriculum includes story time, music, art, movement, yoga, as well as the celebration of Shabbat and Jewish holidays and more.
Gan Shalom / Summer Program
This program is the perfect time to help your child transition into the preschool environment. It offers children a variety of activities appropriate for their age and development. Children play indoors in air-conditioned classrooms and outdoors where sprinklers and a water slide are available. Themes and special activities are planned for each week and include Red, White and Blue, Under the Sea, Pajama Day and Camp Olympics.
Gan Shalom / Before & After Care
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:30pm
Our all-day program wraps around our traditional nursery school class- es and includes indoor and outdoor gym playtime, afternoon snack, story time and art. Minimum enrollment required.
Shalom Shabbat with Cantor Eric & Yoga Jen
Birth - 5 Year Olds
Monthly on Saturdays, 9:00 - 9:45am
One Saturday a month, our youngest children, along with their parent/ grandparent/caregiver, celebrate Shabbat with challah and juice, songs, stories and movement. Both Gan Shalom families and non-members are invited.
PJ Library with Morah Miriam & Our Clergy
Birth - 8 Year Olds
Monthly on Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Join our PJ Family! The RSNS clergy and Gan Shalom Nursery School partner with PJ Library (a national program) to fill your lives with Jewish songs and books. Enrolled families receive Jewish-themed books monthly through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. The synagogue also offers monthly PJ Library programs which celebrate Jewish holidays with crafts, storytelling, and music.
Family Havurot supervised by Rabbi Jodie
Join a Family Havurah! Each Havurah is a small group of four to six families. We connect participants to each other and Judaism through a home- based experiential program that meets five times a year. We pair you with other family units OR you can make your own group. Non-members are welcome. Each Family Havurah is assigned a master teacher who mentors the Havurah as it engages in Jewish ritual, holidays and culture.