When the JCCSF learned about Jewish LearningWorks’ microgrants, our preschool site directors immediately saw an opportunity to strengthen professional development for our team of more than 60 early childhood educators. We proposed several high-impact initiatives—including bringing in expert speakers—and were thrilled to receive support that ultimately exceeded expectations. 

Through this microgrant, the JCCSF’s Helen Diller Family Preschool not only received critical funding for professional development, but also gained access to a robust ecosystem of early childhood education resources, partnerships, and learning opportunities through Jewish LearningWorks. This connection has expanded what’s possible for our educators—introducing them to a wider range of offerings and inspiring deeper engagement. The grant has aligned seamlessly with both our organizational goals and our educators’ strong appetite for learning.

In an under-resourced field—especially in a high-cost region like San Francisco – meaningful, flexible professional development is essential for attracting and retaining talented educators. This year, our teachers embraced these opportunities: ten educators have participated in five Jewish LearningWorks workshops to-date, selecting experiences tailored to their interests and goals.

Additional opportunities supported or catalyzed by Jewish LearningWorks have further enriched our team’s development. Staff participated in the ECE Directors’ Retreat, as well as workshops such as Bringing Jewish Stories to Life with Felt Boards led by Jane Simon. A February inclusion-focused discussion provided valuable space to engage with peers across the field on shared challenges and opportunities.

The impact has extended across our entire team. Through presentations and discussions, participating teachers shared their learning with colleagues, strengthening a culture of peer leadership and continuous growth. We’ve seen increased confidence, stronger classroom documentation, and clear professional advancement—including assistant teachers stepping into lead roles.

The microgrant also made it possible to bring high-quality learning experiences directly to the JCCSF’s Diller preschool. At our all-staff training in August, guest speaker Darcy Campbell was a standout highlight, deeply resonating with our educators. In November, Karla Cianci co-led the workshop What’s Jewish About Loose Parts in partnership with Jewish LearningWorks. In March, Dr. Orit Wollberger facilitated a training for nearly 40 preschool staff. These experiences have helped address a persistent gap in our organization: access to dedicated Jewish pedagogical resources in early childhood education. At a time when Jewish education feels both increasingly important and in the spotlight, this support has demonstrated the profound value of investing in this dimension of our work.

The JCCSF could not have achieved this breadth or depth of professional development on our own. It is only through the multifaceted support of Jewish LearningWorks—financial investment, programmatic expertise, trusted partnerships, and a meaningful vote of confidence—that we have been able to make such significant progress in a single year.

We are deeply grateful for this partnership and excited about the continued growth and impact it will make possible in the years ahead.