On May 27th we will honor Jamie Bernstein for running our preschool for 16 years. Please join us for the festive event at 6:30 PM that will be a part of our final preschool graduation. Since our preschool is closing, this is Jamie's last year. We have seen a generation of children go through our program. Kids who were in her first class were sophomores in college this year.

Jamie has touched the hearts of hundreds of children through the years. Every other year the children take a "trip" to Israel. They spend the weeks leading up to the trip learning about Israel and making things for their trip. On the off year, the kids take a "trip" to Africa for a safari. Again, in advance they make everything they will need for the trip as well as the animals they will see on the safari. There have been dozens of other special programs, but my favorite has always been the art enrichment. The best is watching the children become Michaelangelo as they lay on the floor and make their masterpieces on the bottom of the preschool tables.

The children in the preschool feel that this is their second home. Year after year, when they come for religious school they are so at home. They always come in as a group of friends. I have tried to keep them together for as many years as I can.

I am most thankful to Jamie for giving a wonderful start to hundreds of children. In talking to so many parents in the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard such wonderful stories. I hope many of you will be there to celebrate Jamie on May 27th. Jamie, you have been a blessing to Congregation Etz Chaim. Thank you.