Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

Please share your experiences - pros/cons. I am strongly considering putting DD in a Jewish preschool that our neighbor volunteers at. I visited yesterday and really liked it.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

Caden isnt in school yet. But he will more than likely be attending a program at the JCCC. Im not Jewish but DH is (although he hasnt been to temple since his barmitzah)...so I'd love to hear about it too.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

i am actually switching schools and my dc will be attending a jewsih nursery school right by my house. I found their program great and the teachers just as great.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

There are quite a few kids in Jeremy's class that come from mixed marriages. There are also a lot of kids at the school who have neither parent that are Jewish. They do promote a Jewish education, such as only celebrating the Jewish holidays (ie no halloween, no valentine's day, no st. patty's day, etc) and teaching about them but they do not force anything down the kids throats.
Which school are you considering?

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

There are so many kids in Alex's school, which is affiliated with a conservative synogogue, who are not jewish and neither parents are jewish. In fact, there are a good number of Indian, Korean and African Ameircan families who send their kids there.

The school doesn't celebrate Christian holidays, and instead educates the students on, and celebrates all of the jewish holidays, and practices Friday shabbat (it's actually quite cute to see a bunch of little kids with completely different nationalities all sitting at a table with their little handmade Kipas on their heads, eating Challah and drinking grape juice). But, they never force the religion on the kids, just the jewish cultural practices.

I think at this age they are young enough that it doesn't make quite as much of an impact, and by the time they go to public school, the slate gets wiped clean anyway.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

Which school are you thinking about? DD goes to school at a temple and I love it there. I think almost all of the kids are jewish though and they learn about jewish holidays. Does the school do the jewish holidays and do you mind if she learns about that?

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

My mom's friend did - her biggest problem was lunch - she didn't know why she couldn't send in a ham sandwich, then it was turkey and cheese, but eventually she got it.

Being Jewish, I'm not sure how I would feel about sending my DS to another religious school, but how much "religion" are they really going to learn in pre-school?

Having just to have had found a new daycare for my DS, I know how much comfort plays into it.

Something to think about - what will your families say and do you care?

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

There are a few near me but I didn't even look at them bc I would have to take off the Jewish holidays bc they would be closed.

Growing up, I did attend Jewish day camp for like 10 years bc that's where all my friends went.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

I think it really depends on the school. DD goes to a conservative Jewish Nursery school near us and while I love it, it is VERY heavy on religion- less "academics" than the secular schools in the area. I don't think someone who was non-Jewish would be happy in the school, in all honesty. eg; there are Tot- Shabbats (services in the sanctuary) that are part of the curriculum and it is expected that you would attend them. Children learn songs mostly in hebrew. All the Jewish holidays are discussed ad neauseum and virtually all artwork I pull out of dd's bag is religion related. The school keeps Kosher- which is hard for us because we are not so I had to learn those laws and adhere to them with any snacks I send in- and Halloween is a taboo subject as are any other secular holidays. Finally, in "cooking" class they make all jewish type food rather than cookies- macaroons, challah, hamantashan. You get the jist.

However, I feel like the JCC is more cultural and less "in your face" with the religion and I have many non-Jewish friends who send their children there and they are happy. There is defintiely a spectrum. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Any non-Jewish parents send their DCs to a Jewish school?

I'm in the opposite boat. I was raised Jewish, DH is Catholic- neither of us practice our religions. DS will be starting preschool at a local church in the fall. I chose it because it's a great school with wonderful teachers and a very structured program, which I appreciate.