The Early Childhood Initiative of the Machne Israel Development Fund says it has already invested 1 million dollar in the infrastructure of 22 Jewish communities around the country during this fiscal year.
100 new Chabad Early Childhood programs are expected open in the next 4 years which translates into thousands of young families that will be introduced to observant Judaism as a result of the initiative.
Batya Lisker, administrator of the project and Executive Assistant to Machne Israel Chairman Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, recently returned from a whirlwind tour in Burbank, Yorba Linda and Los Angeles, California; Vancouver, Washington; and Lone Tree and Vail, Colorado.
She said she experienced and observed first-hand the demand for Chabad education at these new Early Childhood programs.
At a pre-Thanksgiving lunch at Chabad of Burbank’s Preschool, she heard from a couple (he’s an attorney and she’s a movie publicist) why they made the decision to switch their children from Bright Horizons, a leading provider for childcare education, to Chabad.
“The beauty of Judaism that the children brought home from school coupled with a level of professionalism and education that rivaled Bright Horizons sold them,” Lisker says.
Another mother explained that her son had been assessed for special services and treated as such at another school, but after coming to Chabad he began thriving, benefiting from an experienced teacher who believes in him and assists him to not only overcome his issues but to completely disregard them.
At the Garden Preschool of Lone Tree, Colorado, a non-Jewish staff member thanked the directors for bringing the Chanukah lights in her life, brightening her days with all the inspiration she gets from them all year round.
In Vail, Colorado, a mother expressed her grateful appreciation for the Early Childhood grant and said that continued support would enable them to expand to accommodate the growing need in her community. There is no other Jewish preschool in the area.
“The preschool has already had a tremendous effect on our Chabad House and is shaping our community,” said Rabbi Shmuly Kornfeld, director of Chabad of Burbank.
“People who were just names on a list are now involved and inspired members of our extended Chabad House family attending all of our programs and showing up on Shabbos and Yom Tov.”
The Fund’s Early Childhood Initiative grants were underwritten by British-American philanthropists David Slager and his wife Lara.
“The grant enabling the opening of a new early childhood center will have a major impact on our Chabad Center. It will create an avenue for many young families to connect with their Heritage,” said Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, Director of Chabad of Orange County in Yorba Linda, CA.
Machne Israel said it is not merely funding the new Early Childhood programs, but also nurturing the centers on an ongoing basis as well.
Lisker’s onsite school visits provided an opportunity to prepare the workshops of the next Machne Israel Development Fund Initiative director’s seminar on March 1-2, 2011, the second of a series of professional development opportunities that began last summer prior to the inauguration of the new centers.
“Thanks to the Machne Israel Development Fund and the Slagers we have been able to open a high quality Jewish early childhood center, which has been received with great community response.” said Shlucha Hindy Mintz of The Garden Preschool and Early Learning Center in Lone Tree, CO.
what company makes that outdoor playground? my school needs one
Mrs. Lisker, So great to see all your wonderful work.
New York is sure lucky to have.
Missing you over here in LA and BC.
Though I never comment on COL I guess you deserve one for this. Hopefully one of your future visits will be to the preschool of the arts at the New Jewish Center of Chabad of Downtown Miami and Brickell
Yasher Koach to Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky for nurturing the fundemental corner stone of nurturing Jewish life and values through our children, and to my friend, the beautiful Batya Lisker for bringing her warmth, and professionalism to light up the project! A true Chanukah gift!
Batya!! WOW u r amazing and i am honored to be your “closest” cousin!! keep up the inspiring work that you do!
hehehehehheheh Give credit where credit is due..
THANK U RABBI KRINSKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your sophistication and expertise will benefit all those you touch. It was a pleasure to have worked with you. It’s even more of a pleasure to be your friend. Hatzlacha Rabba!! H.Klein
who writes so many comments about themselsves…yikes
give real credit where its really due
continue in your lofty work
This grant is so wonderful for so many communities!
Mrs. Lisker, not surprisingly, you did it again. Kol hakovad. What talent! You are one of a kind. Thanks to you, Mr. David Slager, and Machane Israel, the children and community of Frederick are experiencing a most beautiful Jewish enrichment program and loving it, and Be’ezras Hashem with your invaluable help, we will accomplish our anticipated dream and make our preschool a reality. May G-d bless you all. Thank you!
Frumy Labkowski
Very nice!!! Keep up the great work! We are so so proud!
Love Shimi, Dalya, Mumu and Anya
Mrs lisker omg we luv you and miss you here in bais chana high school!
Dear Batya,
So happy for you! Glad NY is working out B”H. We are sure you are an asset to the MI office.
your cousins from around the world
Batya, you are doing a such a great job! As someone who has worked for you in the past I know how lucky Machane Israel is to have you working for them.
A fan in London
Nice to see u again mrs. lisker!
Rabbi Krinsky, congratulations to you for your ongoing work and for recognizing a true gem and asset when she walked into your office. You can now reap the benefits of your keen insight and perception. Great job, Batya.
Batya, i am getting to know a whole new side of you!!! amazing:)))))) and of course you look great:))))
so proud of you…..
Feigy Minkowicz
Wow beautiful!
Batya Lisker has always been the best! So dedicated and kind hearted. Yasher Koach Batya!
You have so much insight that is well utilized to inspire and teach. You effortlessly establish a connection with others that puts them at ease and commands respect for your knowledge and wisdom.
You have shown you have, and will continue to have, a great effect on the future of Jewish education in the world. Shlichum, parents, educators, administrators, etc. all yearn for the type of information, leadership and direction you so skillfully and effectively are able to give.
Mrs. B, Lisker, your talents and accomplishments need no words. You should have Koach and Mazel to continue in your wonderful work.
YOU LOOK GREAT!
Your effect on all these children who attend these preschools, and the shluchim that run them will be felt for many years to come.
Ali vhatzlichi
WE MISS YOU MRS LISKER!
great to see you when you were here but i am serious that we will never stop missing you. you were the best principal ever.
Thank you for coming to visit our preschool in Burbank, and for helping our school receive the grant. Our son loves the school. He is thriving there. The teachers are wonderful. All the other parents that I speak to there has nothing but praises.
Thank you so much Batya, and please send our thanks to the Slager family as well.
Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Anyone who has been lucky enough to work with you knows you value your work and have much to offer. Wishing you endless success as you continue to make your mark on the world.
Batya you really enhance the office of Rabbi Krinsky!
amazing work, Batya! You’re an incredible asset to Machne Israel and shluchim worldwide. Keep up the great work.