Shalom and Welcome
Together, our children, families, and faculty in the Berkman Family Center create a nurturing and stimulating play-based learning community dedicated to the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of every child in our care. Through our play-based and child-centered approach, children have the opportunity to guide us through their development and the milestone moments that take place in the early childhood years.
At the core of our philosophy is a strong partnership between home and school, facilitated by communication and strengthened by providing consistency, collaboration, and cooperation. I look forward to building our relationship and partnership.
Best-
Ellie Feibus
Sidney & Shirley C. Rapport Family Center Director
Our Mission
The Berkman Family Center at Rodef Shalom Congregation believes that all children deserve a warm, nurturing, and supportive learning environment that provides for all areas of a child’s development – physical, social-emotional, and cognitive – through an integrated and play-based approach to learning.
We provide each child with a unique learning experience that encourages them to explore their world through thoughtful questioning, exploration of ideas, and guided play.
We believe that children’s learning does not occur in narrowly defined subject areas, but rather, is a process where activities stimulate all areas of development simultaneously. This is accomplished by designing and environment that invites active exploration, experimentation, and interaction with educators, other children, and materials.
The Berkman Family Center at Rodef Shalom provides a nurturing environment that extends to the entire community and provides numerous opportunities for children and adults to make friends and build connections. The school draws from the city’s universities, cultural and medical communities. International families, interfaith families and children from other congregations or unaffiliated families throughout Pittsburgh are all welcome to enroll.
The Berkman Family Center is a Jewish early childhood program and celebrates Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.
Relationships are essential
Our teachers work closely with families to appreciate and support each child’s unique approach to learning. Staff provides a nurturing environment that encourages peer interaction and helps children to feel safe and comfortable away from home.
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Classes for children 18 months through 5 years old.
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Qualified, experienced teachers with college-level preparation in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
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Small groups and teacher/child ratios enable individualized and age-appropriate programming.
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Active parent involvement
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Weekly programs with music specialist and librarian
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Frequent interaction with our clergy
Family-friendly and accessible
Our facility is cheerful, bright, clean, secure, and child-friendly, with well-thought-out spaces for young children and parents.
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Spacious accessible classrooms with abundant natural light
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Outdoor playground and indoor active play area for rainy days
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Sinks and bathroom fixtures in every room that are specially sized for young children as well as a child-friendly kitchen
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Nature education through programs in our Biblical Garden
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Extensive library with a dedicated children’s room
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Parents are welcome to stay and work or lounge in our Commons with couches, tables, and free Wi-Fi
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Ample free parking close to the entrance
Let's Connect
Every day is an open house!
Schedule a time to stop by and see more of the Family Center Preschool.
Ellie Feibus
Berkman Family Center Director
Email me at feibus@rodefshalom.org
or call 412-621-6566 ext.127
