It was a beautiful erev Shabbat Chanukah as the JEC Early Childhood welcomed and celebrated their grandparents and special guests. The room, decorated with an array of lights, was glowing from the smiles of the children and pride of the extended JEC family. The morning began with a buffet breakfast, a message from the principal and warm greetings from a special grandparent. The children then took the stage and sang fantastic nachat-filled songs of Chanukah.

They excitedly invited their grandparents and guests to join them in their classrooms to experience the magic of learning in action at JEC. Experiences reflected Chanukah themes, from teacher created Smart Board games to I Spy Chanukah games to flipping “latkes” (and reading them!) — each class displayed the fun and function of experiential learning. To further capture the moment and quality grandparent/grandchild time, there were Chanukah crafts, a professionally staffed photo booth and a Jewish Book Fair. The grandparents and special guests then left the event, at the end of a fabulous day, with hands full of wonderful gifts and hearts full of beautiful memories.