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.

