Play-based Philosophy: The JCC East Bay is a play-based institution, grounded in the belief that children are capable of developing foundational skills through rich, engaging play. Our team of educators approach play-based practice with intention, recognizing play as a critical and essential component of children’s lifelong learning. Play-based learning is learning—it extends far beyond unstructured free play or the presence of activity materials in the classroom. Our educators create yearly curriculum maps, weekly lesson plans, and learning objectives which all center around children’s unique, emerging interests.
Our teaching team thoughtfully designs and curates learning environments that reflect children’s curiosity and invite exploration, inquiry, and growth. By observing and intentionally scaffolding children’s play, we affirm that their ideas and creativity are valuable. For example, when children begin exploring concepts of movement and force, they may naturally build ramps or experiment with rolling objects. Teachers extend this learning by introducing new materials such as blocks, cars, or paper airplanes, as well as related library books, obstacle courses, and balance activities that encourage whole-body movement.
Reggio-Emilia Philosophy: The JCC of the East Bay is Reggio Emilia inspired in our approach to early childhood education. Reggio Emilia is an educational philosophy dedicated to child-led inquiry, inquisitive curiosity, and an admiration for the natural world. Following a child’s natural interests guides our teachers’ in their core classroom curriculum and plans. For example, an innate curiosity about snowflakes might guide teachers in their curriculum planning and play materials. When the interest arises, teachers can scaffold unique learning opportunities, such as studying the hexagonal shape in the middle and measuring length (mathematics), creating snowflake mixed-media creations (art), and even learning more about the ways dust will wrap around a single particle as to create each unique snowflake (science). Our educational team values this play-based learning, using these techniques to show how children learn to read, write, and count– academic skill development, while still keeping a love for learning and the magic of childhood at the center of their learning.
Identity Building and Inclusion:
We believe that each child is created b’tzelem Elohim (in the Divine image). With Jewish life and culture at the core, we provide unique opportunities for all students to explore their multilayered identities through a Jewish lens.
We celebrate the unique identity of each student and family, fostering a sense of community that nurtures and strengthens the nefesh (soul) of every individual. Early childhood is a critical time in building identity, developing relational skills, and nurturing social-emotional growth, and we approach this responsibility with great care and intention. Using the Jewish tradition as a backdrop, children are invited to explore their own identities, regardless of whether they are Jewish. On the Lunar New Year teachers can be found talking about how making bao (a traditional Chinese steamed bun) might feel similar to our challah baking each Friday. While some children practice weekly Shabbat, others share stories of rest and relaxation from their own homes and customs during classroom meeting times.
Our community is diverse at the JCC East Bay, and we aim to create space and belonging for all of our families through celebrations of different cultural holidays (Dia de los Muertos, Diwali, The Lunar New Year, etc.), our literature selections, inclusive language, and more.
Neurodiversity:
The JCC is proud to be an inclusive program, and we believe that high quality early childhood education should be accessible to all. We work collaboratively with inclusion specialists who support our staff in providing the highest quality of care to our diverse range of learners. We feel fortunate to have access to our sensory room, varying sensory tools, inclusive materials (visual schedules, educational plans, social stories, and more), ongoing professional development for our staff, and a commitment that the true foundation of early childhood education is seeing each child as unique.
Jewish life and culture: Being a part of the JCC East Bay community means that children have the opportunity to explore the many different ways of what it means to be Jewish in the world! We have devoted teachers from many walks of Jewish life who know there’s more than one way to be Jewish. Children engage with all different kinds of Jewish practices, tradition, and heritage such as making kosher challah (is there any blood in the eggs?!) or dancing with joy on Shabbat. We believe what makes Jewish life so fascinating is its plurality, and we hope to share this with the children in our program.
World Jewry: Here in the East Bay, we are committed to bringing the richness of world Jewry to our doors and reflecting the vibrant plurality of Jewish life both in the Bay Area and abroad. In every classroom, core Jewish holidays, such Chanukah and Sukkot, are honored and explored through diverse customs and educational explorations. You may join us for fresh mouflettot (Moroccan flatbread) as we celebrate Mimouna, a Morrocan-Jewish holiday celebrated at the end of Passover, or Sigd, an Ethiopian-Jewish celebration. We engage children with a wide range of Jewish traditions—Mizrahi, Latin-Jewish, Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Beta Israel, and more—and we’re proud to share a sense of Peoplehood with Jewish communities in Ethiopia, Israel, and across the globe.
Israel Education: We believe that learning about Israel is an integral component of Jewish education. Peoplehood is at the center of the JCC East Bay, and we strive to represent the plethora of different communities, weaving in the fabric of modern Israeli society: Jews, the Druze community, Palestinians, and more. We are proud to bring Israel to children in a way that represents the nation as a vibrant place full of culture. Our curriculum takes a balanced approach, engaging children in developmentally appropriate methods and conversations, and learning about how children and families live and work in our Jewish homeland.
Wilderness Torah: We are excited that Wilderness Torah will offer nature-connected Jewish programming activities as a part of our Preschool curriculum. For the 2025-2026 school year, Wilderness Torah will offer age-appropriate nature-connected Jewish programming on Mondays, and these programs are included within our preschool schedule. Click here to learn more about Wilderness Torah.
Schedule:
The 2025-2026 school year runs from:
The core Preschool program runs 5 days/week:
We also offer 3- or 4-day options for full day program hours (9:00am-3:30pm), or a half day option (9:00am-1:00pm).
Fees:
Click here to view the fees for our 2026-2027 school year on the new Rockridge campus.
The JCC East Bay recognizes that all families have different needs, and we want to support all families the best we can. In our process of selecting families to whom we provide financial aid, you will complete our Financial Aid “short form.” The “short form” can be found here.
To learn about eligibility, submission dates, requirements, and more, please contact us using the ‘Contact Us’ section below.
The deadline for Financial Aid applications is always the first Friday in April.
We accept enrollment applications on a rolling basis. Please click here to apply.
Sabrina May
Preschool Director
sabrina.may@jcceastbay.org
Ruby Fox
Educational Assistant, Preschool
ruby.fox@jcceastbay.org
The JCC East Bay is renowned for its early childhood education, and we know this is only possible because of our talented team of educators. We strive for a diverse teaching staff, representing a diversity of religions, gender identities, orientations, educational backgrounds, races, and more. Teacher retention is one of our top priorities, and we proudly offer competitive salaries, fully covered health insurance, professional development stipends, paid vacation, and additional benefits. We believe that investing in our teachers is a meaningful, long-term commitment to our children and families, and we see our teaching team as essential members of our community.
All of our classrooms are guided by our shared educational vision outlined above. Our approach centers on children’s emerging interests, Jewish traditions—such as weekly Shabbat, Havdalah celebrations and challah baking— as well as social-emotional development, and a nature-based learning philosophy.
We strive for children to experience a sense of continuity as they move through our program, creating an “invisible string” that connects each classroom. Our teaching team collaborates closely to design curriculum and educational plans that build upon one another, offering distinct learning objectives at each stage while maintaining a shared purpose and cohesive approach.
Our infant classroom, Kitat Kohavim (stars), is thoughtfully designed for children ages 6 months and older. This is our newest addition to the early childhood center, created in response to the needs of our growing community. We understand that the first place you entrust with your child should feel like a gentle transition from home, and the JCC is committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for both you and your family. Kitat Kohavim maintains a strong connection to home life through frequent daily updates and photos, regular walks and outdoor time, and a safe, comforting space for rest. We strive to be the next best thing to being with you, and we opened this program with the confidence that we can provide just that.
The Yareach classroom serves young toddlers at JCC East Bay. Welcoming children, beginning at 18 months, Yareach supports our little learners as they begin to explore the changing world around them. This classroom celebrates important developmental milestones, encouraging curiosity and discovery in a safe, nurturing environment. Our team of educators create a balanced day of open exploration and structured learning to support children in developing their social-emotional skills and ease into school life in an environment rich with Jewish culture and values.
The Shemesh (sun) classroom supports toddlers as they first enter the preschool world. For many children, this classroom is where Jewish time and ritual become trackable. The excitement for Shabbat grows, and the interest as to when Friday will come heightens. Children in this classroom are at the beginning stages of independent play that starts to include others, and teachers support them with modeling important strategies for prosocial behavior. In addition to this, the Shemesh classroom is where independence skills flourish, often centered on self-soothing practices, self-care skills, and how to advocate for yourself in a group setting.
When children turn three, they often begin to develop the first of their meaningful lifelong friendships. The Shamayim (sky) classroom gives children the opportunity to explore these connections in tandem with their conflict-resolution skills. Teachers in this classroom have a greater focus on assisting children in this social emotional growth during this crucial year, and they can often be seen supporting children as they learn to advocate for themselves and others. Children in this classroom are also encouraged to begin holding Jewish practice in their classroom, often leading Shabbat for their classroom, or picking-up our local challah for noshing.
Studies show that children at the age of 3 are in their most successful year of language development and learning. Our Hebrew language classroom, Kitat Yam, is modeled off of dual language learning schools in Israel known as Yad B’Yad, who maintain one teacher for each language in the classroom. Kitat Yam will have two teachers who each speak Hebrew and English, but who each represent one language for the classroom environment. This model allows children coming from Israel to feel supported while learning English, while also supporting children who might be new to Hebrew acquisition. Kitat Yam is designed as a dip into the pool of Hebrew language, and it is not exclusively an immersion classroom. Our hope is to ease children into language acquisition without overwhelm or frustration.
Adamah means “earth” or “soil” in Hebrew, and the Adamah classroom represents the rich foundation that supports students as they complete this important bridge year between preschool and their transition into elementary school.
This classroom was intentionally designed to nurture Jewish identity and a sense of belonging, to keep Transitional Kindergarten (TK) rooted in early childhood practice, and to thoughtfully integrate a play-based philosophy with a more structured academic curriculum. Kitat Adamah offers meaningful learning experiences that support students in reaching academic milestones beyond those of a typical early childhood setting, thoughtfully adapted from the California Common Core.
Grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach, Adamah students explore early literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), history and culture, and more through hands-on exploration, play, and inquiry-based learning. For families seeking a TK experience that remains firmly grounded in early childhood values, Kitat Adamah offers a developmentally appropriate and enriching option.
All classroom artwork has been created by Ilana Diamond for the JCC East Bay.
Sabrina is entering her fifth year at the JCC and remains deeply committed to strengthening and elevating the J in the JCC! She leads the educational vision and strategic direction for both our early childhood educators and our youngest learners, ensuring a thoughtful, Jewishly-driven approach to teaching and learning.
Sabrina holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education and an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Science in Teacher Education at the University of Oxford, where her research explores the lasting impact of October 7 on educators within the American-Jewish educational landscape.
Being part of a multi-cultural and religious home, Sabrina is passionate about fostering and celebrating vibrant, diverse Jewish communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, savoring a cup of tea at Blue Willow, and relaxing at home in Albany with her dog, Atwood.
Yafit Shriki Megidish is the Chief Jewish Education Officer at the JCC East Bay, CA. In this role Yafit is leading the development of the Jewish and Hebrew experiential curriculum. Yafit is a veteran educator with an MA in Educational Management Systems from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a graduate of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute and the Mandel Educational Leadership Fellowship.
Yafit began her career working with children from low income families and at-risk youth. In 2001, Yafit joined the “Branco Weiss Institute for Development of Thinking” (BWI) where she has worked to train teachers, develop programs for leadership and creative thinking, and implement pedagogy with children from the 2nd to 8th grade. Before moving to the US, Yafit spent 10 years working at BWI schools, as both an educator and school principal. Since 2016, Yafit has served as the Director of Education at Studio 70 and Edah in Berkeley, CA. Later in May 2020 Yafit became the executive director of Studio 70. During 2023 Yafit led the merger of Studio 70 to the JCC East Bay transitioning to her current position at the JCC.
Her leadership and teaching are based on personal connection, seeing the whole child/educator and creating a safe environment for learning, emotionally and academically. Yafit believes in creating a community of learners that allow each one to grow and to be empowered.
Yafit enjoys spending time with her family (a proud mother of 4 children), learning Jewish text, hiking, reading books and listening to music.
Ruby Fox is entering her fourth year at the JCC! After beginning as a teacher in the 3s classroom, she has transitioned into the role of Preschool Educational Assistant. Ruby is a fully accredited teacher and holds a Bachelor of Science in Society and Environment, with a concentration in Justice and Sustainability, from the University of California, Berkeley. As part of her academic coursework, she conducted research on equity in early childhood classrooms and the historical development of early childcare in the United States.
Ruby brings nine years of experience in childcare through volunteer work, research, and extensive private nannying. She is especially passionate about understanding each child as an individual and supporting students as they navigate the social-emotional foundations of early development. Ruby believes that strong partnerships with families are essential to the well-being of both children and parents, and that these relationships foster a safe, consistent, and trusting community.
Outside of school, Ruby enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, and dancing, and she thoughtfully incorporates these creative interests into her classroom whenever possible.
Rivi is excited to be returning in her role as Administrative Assistant at the JCC East Bay! As part of the administrative team, Rivi works closely with teachers, students, and parents as she organizes, emails, files, cleans, teaches, and generally supports in all areas of the school.
She has a long background in Jewish education, attending Jewish preschool, day school, as well as the Jewish community high school in San Francisco. She grew up in Marin county, and got her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pitzer College in 2018. She is teacher qualified and passionate about play based learning, completing a yearlong Wunderled Approach Certification program from Fairy Dust Teaching.
Being openly neurodivergent, Rivi aims to boost inclusivity and understanding in the community for all topics related to neurodiversity, child development, and mental health advocacy.
In her free time, Rivi loves knitting, sewing and most anything creative and crafty. She’s excited to embark on another year of excitement, organization, and creativity.
Jonny’s role at the JCC encompasses all things Transitional Kindergarten! Although his degree is in Musical Theatre, he has found great fulfillment in applying his passion for performance and music to the field of early childhood education.
Jonny particularly enjoys process-based art, STEM learning for young children, and integrating theatre and storytelling into play. He’s known for supporting students in putting together a magical play, or assisting in throwing our annual Yarid Mada (Science Fair) for our early childhood children and families.
Outside of the classroom, Jonny enjoys thrifting, exploring new restaurants, and practicing his skills in the kitchen!
Shardae is our extraordinary infant/toddler teacher. She brings 13 years of experience in early childhood education and holds over 36 ECE units, making her a Master Teacher. She recently completed the Elevated program, enhancing her expertise in teaching Jewish culture and values to young learners.
Shardae is committed to building strong relationships with children and families to support high-quality early learning. She is known at the JCC for putting on incredible small-world plays for children during the Jewish holidays.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, caring for plants, building miniature houses, and spending time with loved ones. She looks forward to the 2025–2026 school year.
Mel Matas is entering their fourth year with the JCC! She studied Music Education and History at Diablo Valley College before completing her Early Childhood Education units at Theoria Technical College. Mel also participated in the inaugural cohort of ElevatEd, a professional development program for Jewish early childhood educators to refine her practice.
As an educator, Mel is dedicated to creating an engaging and distinctive curriculum that thoughtfully incorporates both the principles of Judaism and the developmental needs of young children. She can often be found telling stories of golems or throwing an incredible family shabbat!
Outside of the classroom, Mel enjoys hosting Shabbat dinners for friends, knitting, and spending time with their cats.
Lily is excited to return to the JCC following the birth of her son, Emerson Gray. She brings more than 10 years of experience in early childhood education, working with children across a range of ages. Over the course of her career, Lily has also mentored numerous educators both in the field and at the JCC—including our Director, Sabrina.
Lily is a fully qualified early childhood teacher in California and has developed extensive training and experience in Jewish education. She is deeply committed to fostering meaningful, engaging learning environments rooted in strong relationships and thoughtful practice.
Outside of the classroom, Lily enjoys spending time with her family, exploring local eateries, and listening to great music.
Anthony has been studying early childhood education for several years and has extensive experience working with children in a variety of settings, including summer camps, preschools, and through caring for his nephews and cousins from a young age.
As a Jewish educator, Anthony shares his personal traditions and experiences with his students, incorporating activities such as Shabbat songs from his childhood, Passover finger puppets, and creating Tzedakah boxes.
Anthony values building meaningful connections with children and families, and he enjoys using creativity to develop engaging, curriculum-based learning experiences that reflect children’s interests.
Outside of the classroom, Anthony runs a family photography business, enjoys playing musical instruments, and likes to unwind by watching a good tv show. He also loves spending time with his fiancé, friends, and family.
Daniela brings the unique perspective of both educator and alumni parent, having enrolled her daughter in our own JCC for her early childhood years. While Daniela is not Jewish herself, she is deeply committed to nurturing a Jewish home alongside her husband and little one, and especially interested in supporting our interfaith and intercultural families.
Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Daniela moved to California in 2002 and has since built more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She is especially passionate about cultivating strong relationships and a sense of community among families, children, and colleagues.
Outside the classroom, Daniela enjoys Zumba, creating art, and spending meaningful time with family and friends.
Yuval brings extensive experience in Hebrew, Jewish, and Israel education, having worked in programs such as Edah and Beged Kefet.
Yuval holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Child Development from Chico State, qualifying him as an early childhood educator in California. He is a proud Israeli-American and previously taught English in Tel Aviv, where he also earned a teaching credential from Kibbutzim College of Education.
Outside of the classroom, Yuval enjoys attending concerts with friends and spending time in nature.
Lynda brings more than four years of early childhood education experience to the JCC Preschool, much of which she gained in her home country of Algeria. Now in her third year at the JCC, she has truly found a home away from home within our community!
Lynda is a fully qualified early childhood educator in California, and she delights in enriching her classroom with songs, stories, and all four of the languages she speaks. She is also formally trained in midwifery and has completed extensive nursing coursework, experiences that contribute to the warm, nurturing presence she brings to her work with children and families.
Outside of school, Lynda enjoys hiking, reading, and biking around Oakland.
Paulette is delighted to be returning for her sixth consecutive year at the JCC. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, which has helped her refine her curriculum planning and classroom management skills for children ages 2–5.
Paulette is our resident jack-of-all-trades, bringing a wide range of talents to our classrooms, including science, theater, cooking, and gardening. Children in each classroom look forward to seeing Teacher Paulette as she is well known for reading silly stories in very silly voices.
Outside of the classroom, Paulette enjoys reading, performing, and watching films of all kinds.
Mandvi continues to be inspired by children’s curiosity, unique perspectives, and innate care for one another. She holds a Master’s degree in Accountancy and Business Statistics, along with her core early childhood education units—an impressive and meaningful career transition.
Mandvi cannot imagine herself outside the classroom and feels deeply connected to our JCC kehillah. She is affectionately known by the children as the resident chef, often preparing warm, nourishing creations for them each day.
Outside of school, Mandvi enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and practicing yoga.
Alfred has worked with children of all ages for over 10 years now! While attending college, he gained experience as a track and field coach, nanny, and preschool teacher. He later graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.
Alfred is passionate about working with children because it allows him to view the world through their eyes and support their development each day. He is committed to fostering a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Alfred has over five years of experience in the world of Jewish education, and he is continuing his Jewish education in the Elevated mentorship program.
Outside of work, Alfred enjoys practicing and refining his salsa dancing skills.
Jeannine Williamson is a seasoned early childhood educator with a deep passion for fostering curiosity and a lifelong love of learning in young children. With decades of experience in the field, Jeannine believes in meeting each child where they are, recognizing their individual strengths, and guiding them through their oys and joys of the early years. One thing Jeannine loves about early childhood education is the ability to partner with families!
Outside of the classroom, Jeannine enjoys attending live concerts, exploring diverse musical styles, and traveling to experience new cultures. These adventures often inspire her teaching, and she enjoys bringing fresh ideas and global perspectives into her lessons.
Hannah joined the JCC teaching team with a wealth of experience from her work as a science and garden teacher for TK–5th grade students in Oakland. Hannah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz and is a fully qualified early childhood education teacher in the state of California. Since 2021, she has been cultivating her path as a nature-based educator, thoughtfully integrating Judaic values and a deep commitment to nurturing young minds into her teaching practice.
Outside of the classroom, Hannah enjoys tending to the plants and animals within her home ecosystems and appreciating the wonder of the natural world. She also loves to move and groove, finding joy in music and dance within the community.
