Another question for the Jews- @ related but want

[Deleted]

DD's daycare didn't do anything for Rosh Hashana. They did last year but not this year. No mention at all. I get a newsletter of what they did each week and nothing. I don't know if they plan to address it next week, which is silly since the Jewish kids will be out. I know of at least 3 Jewish kids in her class out of 20, possibly more since new kids came in last week. I'm sure there are many more Jewish kids in the school as well.

I love my daycare but do you think I should look into the JCC for daycare? Its the same distance away as my current daycare, and is also diverse- you dont have to be Jewish to go. I toured it but they didnt take infants at the time. Now they do (which is good for #2 in the future) and it's slightly more money. Bonus is that they will go swimming all summer and possibly during the year as well because they have indoor pools.

It's going to be hard enough doing Jewish things without a Jewish dad but I'd like her to get some Jewish education. And quite frankly, I'm offended. They usually always address the diversity of the school and they did all this stuff for the Chinese New Year- but not Rosh Hashana. (the school is hugely Asian, I'd estimate 50%)

Thoughts? Am I overreacting?

I otherwise love my daycare and it's the top in my area.

Reserve right to DD bc of possible identifying info. Please don't quote.

[sewpinkgal]

Not Jewish, but I would strongly consider it. It sounds like it would be an easy way for DD to be exposed regularly to Jewish holidays/customs. I know if there was a catholic pre-school that fed into our choice for elementary education, we'd be all over that.

[fuddyduddy]

I don't think you are overreacting. If I were you, I think I would lean toward the JCC.

I don't have children, but when I do, I would like to put them in a Jewish daycare and/or preschool as early as I can. It's nice to have a strong foundation in Jewish education at a young age. It seems like it would also make the parents' job of keeping traditions easier since the daycare's activities will fill in the gaps.

[bronxgirl]

I would. I specifically onyl looked at Jewish pre-schools so she gets a solid Jewish background from the start. I would love to send her to Jewish day school for elementary school, but I know we won't be able to afford that. In addition, we also belong to children's congregations of two synagogues so she gets a lot of Jewish stuff that way, too. You don't have to be members of the synagogue to attend the children's programming.

[mishap]

Sure, it never hurts to look.

[kangaroo11]

That would really bother me that they do stuff for Chinese New Year but not Rosh Hashanah. If there are kids at the school who celebrate certain holidays, those should be addressed for all the kids, or no holidays should have activities for them.

[MrsAxilla]

I wouldn't be offended, nor would I expect a secular daycare to acknowledge the holiday. I was happy when mine wanted to include Hanukkah, but I didn't ask or anything.

That said, if the JCC is option, you should do that. Ours is waaaaaaay to far away to be useful.

[Deleted]

I'm just concerned about moving her from her friends. She is generally an easy going kid, but I'm worried about moving to a new school with new teachers and new kids.

I need to call them on Sunday morning to see if they even have a spot.

Another concern is that they will be closed for every little Jewish holiday- when I have to work. I don't worry about that now.

Grr.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2012 18:44:01 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I wouldn't be offended, nor would I expect a secular daycare to acknowledge the holiday. I was happy when mine wanted to include Hanukkah, but I didn't ask or anything.

That said, if the JCC is option, you should do that. Ours is waaaaaaay to far away to be useful.

I live in a Jewish area. They've always acknowledged the Jewish holidays in the past as well. They also make a big deal about diversity, and learning about other cultures.

[livinitup]

I love our child care, really love it - and they don't do a hint of religious or cultural education. Makes no difference to us. They make use of so much for play and education, it really doesn't have to have any kind of cultural or religious theme.

For the past year, DD has done a Catholic Preschool 2 mornings a week (we are Catholic) and its nice to see some of the symbols and hear the religious themes. But it is so light and so not a big deal. I don't think she gets anything extra religious from the program, and I wouldn't be thrilled if they drilled it more.

I've been to lots of JCC's that are so wonderful. I think they offer some of the best programs in the community. But I wouldn't move if you are really happy with your current care. I really wouldn't see the point, at this age. If you want to celebrate the high holy days, just suggest it or volunteer. They might just need some parent-input.

[Deleted]

Ok, I looked at their website, looks like they are only closed for the high holidays. That definitely is much better than I thought.

The fact they offer daily swimming at 3 is such a bonus too.

I'm conflicted.

[drloretta]

I would ask about things. Maybe they instituted a new policy not to celebrate as many holidays, and they're starting with Rosh Hashanah. If they're just not doing Jewish holidays, I'd switch.

DD just started a preschool where they aren't celebrating any holidays. The kids can talk about them and bring in books, etc. about them, but the director didn't want to miss one or "improperly" celebrate it and piss parents off.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2012 19:13:28 GMT -5 drloretta said:

I would ask about things. Maybe they instituted a new policy not to celebrate as many holidays, and they're starting with Rosh Hashanah. If they're just not doing Jewish holidays, I'd switch.

DD just started a preschool where they aren't celebrating any holidays. The kids can talk about them and bring in books, etc. about them, but the director didn't want to miss one or "improperly" celebrate it and piss parents off.

I didn't think about this. I will ask them. This would absolutely be a new policy, though.

[jackie011]

Jewish JCC preschool teacher and wife to a non-Jewish man weighing in here... I would not expect a non-Jewish preschool to teach or celebrate Rosh Hashana, in my area, but I live in the middle of America, and we're a SUPER minority around here! (Well, a big enough community for a JCC, though) However, if this is something that was celebrated in the past, I would certainly question why they did not celebrate it this year. Is the newsletter your only source of information? Is it possible they did do something, but it didn't make it into the newsletter? Also, if the teachers/center are not Jewish, they may see that Rosh Hashana is on the calendar next week and plan to do something next week.

As far as moving your child- don't sweat it. Kids adapt, and making new friends is a great skill! Sure, at first your child may miss certain friends & teachers at their old school, but that will pass. You'll still live in the same community and can get together outside of school, right?

We are closed 2 days for Rosh Hashana, 1 day for Yom Kippur, 1 day for Sukkot, 1 day for Passover and 1 day for Shavout. There are plenty of non-Jewish staff members that make extra money watching kids on the days that we're closed.

I have to say that I've never had a parent regret moving their kid to a JCC. The reputation of JCC programming in virtually every community is always excellent. As a Jewish family, your child will be building a strong connection to their faith, and getting an excellent preschool education, as well. Plus, at least in my community, there are a TON of options like swimming, dance class, sports lessons, violin lessons, science class, and art classes, and you don't have to drive your kid anywhere else to do that stuff!

[LoveTrains]

I have off on Monday for Rosh Hashana. That sucks that your daycare isn't doing anything. I think you should look into the JCC. My sister is sending my niece to JCC daycare - the only days that they are closed that other daycares wouldn't be are Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur.

[rikki]

I have several friends whose kids go to JCC preschools. They all RAVE about it!

[CloudBee]

Definitely go tour the JCC center again. The one in our area is fantastic. I hear wonderful things about the facility. I think you would be happier to have her in that environment. The swimming is a huge plus as well.

[chia]

I'd definitely ask about it before jumping to any conclusions, or doing anything drastic.
I totally forgot about Rosh Hashana, even though I live in a super Jewish area. It was probably an oversight.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using proboards

[Deleted]

My cousin sends her kids to the JCC that we used to go to and they love it. Daily swimming is great exercise.

[mayflowers22]

I would definitely consider it!

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. I checked the newsletter from last year and the person who taught them about Rosh Hashana is no longer at the school. I know some of her teachers last year are Jewish but not sure if any this year are.

I am over being mad at the school- I know it's not their job to teach religion. But I'm thinking I may want her to go to a school that will teach this stuff. I don't want her to feel awkward when she starts Hebrew school in third grade. I'm going to contact the Jcc on Wed.

Plus DH and I talked and he loves that they swim every day. He's on board.

[Deleted]

Glad you found a solution! It sounds as if it might have been an unintentional oversight. As a non-Jewish person in an area without any close Jewish friends, I wouldn't know about Jewish holidays if it weren't for GBCN