AJA Chavera (Buddy) with ECP Dolphins. Credit: Risa Ferdman 

By Risa Ferdman 

The role of Judaic Specialist offers opportunities to work directly with Zeifman Family Early Childhood Program (ECP) and Austin Jewish Academy (AJA) teachers and children to elevate Judaic connections and knowledge in an experiential multi-sensory way. 

On a daily and weekly basis, including beyond the traditional holiday celebrations, children are engaging with Jewish values and practices, as well as learning relevant Hebrew words through stories and song. 

Monthly Jewish values connect with daily life, the changing seasons and the Jewish calendar and they combine with the many learning themes in ECP learning environments. 

In January, for example, children explored the Jewish value of Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim (caring for animals). Children shared stories about their pets, discussed experiences visiting farms and zoos, observed animals in nature and talked about how they can care for and protect animals. Groups of Pengvinim (Penguins) were seen and heard at school making calls of “cucuricu” (cockadoodledoo) as they sang in Hebrew. 

In honor of Tu B’Sh’vat, the Tree New Year, the Jewish value for February was Bal Tashchit (environmentalism and conservation), along with Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Some classes held Tu B’Sh’vat seders and sampled different fruits to honor the bounty of the soil. Tzedakah was collected for the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to observe the tradition of planting a tree in Israel on the holiday. Students engaged in gardening, planting, and conserving resources at ECP. 

Educators from Zilker Botanical Garden brought a variety of learning experiences for children of all ages including composting, planting, soil samples, and plant specimens. 

In the spirit of the Jewish value of kehilla (community), ECP partnered with AJA, bringing special meaning and learning to the students in both schools. 

Every Tuesday, the AJA middle school Chaverim (buddies) visit the three-year old and pre-k classes at the ECP to read, have conversations, work on projects together and come together for Shabbat celebrations. For some, this is a wonderful walk down memory lane, as so many former ECP students are now part of the AJA Chaverim program. 

Whether reading books about holidays, teaching about Jewish values and community, or singing in Hebrew with the children, AJA Chaverim serve as wonderful role models for ECP students, while building special bonds and spending joyful time together.