The Tepper Foundation is granting $1.9 million to seven Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) across the United States to launch a three-year pilot program supporting Jewish enrichment for parents of preschoolers. The Early Childhood Parent Engagement Program seeks to bring Jewish culture, community and practice to parents who have selected JCC-based preschools for their children. The program will bring parents together in learning cohorts where, with the guidance of a rabbi or Jewish educator, they can explore their connection to Judaism and identify where they would like to know more. The program will be social as well as educational, helping parents to also create friendships with their peers and learn more about what the local Jewish community can offer them.

The Parent Engagement Program funding can be used for various programming tailored to Jewish parents of preschoolers. Each of the JCCs has budgeted for babysitting in these programs so that lack of childcare is not an obstacle to participation. The pilot program is based on a model researched and developed by Rabbi Joy Levitt, former Chief Executive Officer at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. The research exhibited that more parents want to engage with Jewish tradition and community while navigating parenthood.

“We know that many young Jewish families would like to become more involved in their community, but they may not have the time or resources to prioritize this in their day-to-day life,” said Randi Tepper, CEO of The Tepper Foundation. “For parents who don’t have a babysitter to get time away to engage in their faith, for parents that want to engage their local Jewish community more but don’t know where to start – we hope they can see the Parent Engagement Program as an avenue that makes Jewish life more accessible.”

The Parent Engagement Program is one aspect of The Tepper Foundation’s support for Jewish communities across the United States. The foundation is providing an ongoing response to the alarming rise in antisemitism in the United States. To date, through its Security Fund, The Tepper Foundation has made grants totaling more than $12 million to support the security needs of the American Jewish community. Founded and led by a family that connects deeply with its Jewish heritage, The Tepper Foundation is committed to ensuring a vibrant and strong American Jewish community. You can read more about the foundation’s work to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism here.