AUGUST 3 • 2023 | 27
thirds of students at the preschool are
Jewish and a third are not, Bogorad,
who lives in West Bloomfield and has
two daughters ages 6 and 11, added:
“Although we are a Jewish preschool,
we find that our Jewish values are
embraced by so many families in the
community.”
Many working families choose the
school because of its flexible extended
hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
because of the family atmosphere, with
some staff members having been with
the school 20 years or more. “We pride
ourselves on treating the children and
their families as our own families. We
know it’s a second home for many of
them,” Bogorad added.
JCC Chief Operating Officer Sarah
Allyn said that the school year is
shaping up to be a very positive
one following the difficulties of the
pandemic with teacher shortages, and
that Oppenheim’s new role would
strengthen the Jewish values of the
curriculum.
“We know that preschool is an
important entry point for families into
the Jewish community and education
in general,” she said. “Families who
are involved in Jewish engagement
and education are more likely to stay
involved in the community.”
Allyn said that the school was
happy to offer a financial break
to new families this year with the
enrollment fee waiver and two weeks
of free education.
“The cost of early childcare and
education has gone up tremendously
because of the need to pay staff
more, which is vital, and because
of inflation, in general,” she said.
“Anything we can do to help families
we want to do.”
Allyn also pointed out that
scholarships were available to
families through funding from
generous donors and grants, and
these are distributed depending
on family income. “The application
process is confidential, and we
definitely encourage families to apply,”
said Allyn, who is the mother of a
3-year-old and lives in southwest
Detroit.
Allyn added that unlike some of
the larger early childcare franchises,
there was a strong culture of support
for staff and that parents were actively
involved in the school community.
One example was the Ruach committee
run by parents, which brings in
regular treats for staff. “We provide
an amazing service to the community,
enabling parents to go to work
confident that even the smallest baby
will get loving care from childcare
experts, and as their children grow,
they will get a safe, nurturing and
academically rigorous preschool
experience to set them up for success
in elementary school,” she said.
As for Oppenheim, a mother of two
small daughters who themselves attend
the ECC, her passion for teaching is
evident. “We are there to educate your
children and help them to grow into
wonderful human beings and, in my
new role, I think I will have an even
more important part to play in that
process.”
To sign up for the open house and for more
information on the Sarah and Irving Pitt Early
Childhood Center, go to jccdet.org/pitt-ecc.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JCC
Left to right: Ilyssa Oppenheim celebrates Shabbat with students. Sarah Allyn with her
son Judah Mendenhall. Ilyssa Oppenheim reads to students.