B'nai Simcha Annual Appeal 2024

You can make a difference by donating today to B'nai Simcha.

Through its many years, B’nai Simcha has been a pillar of Jewish and early childhood education in the San Gabriel Valley, and the starting point for many young children to cultivate a strong Jewish identity. We seek to create an environment for children in which they can make sense of their world while exploring their creativity. Our goal is for our children to grow as independent critical thinkers while developing empathy. We support a child's curiosity by extending their inquiries with open-ended questions and encourage them to share their ideas with their peers.

This year, our school, like many Jewish institutions, has experienced a profound and rapid change following the events of October 7th. Upon the recommendations of security experts in the Jewish community, our school has greatly increased our security, with enhancements to the physical school as well as the dedication of funds for the hire of security guards. Additionally, B’nai Simcha quickly and adeptly assumed the crucial responsibility of supporting faculty, students, and the broader community with their awakened fear and trauma. We are proud of our community’s resilience and ability to rapidly develop and put in place the supportive and protective systems that allow the B’nai Simcha community to flourish, but it goes almost without saying that such new changes have brought with them substantial financial cost.

We have also successfully implemented many of the desired programs and changes we set as goals at this time last year. Two fluent Hebrew speaking shinshinim have been able to come from Israel and which has been hugely successful — the students and visiting shinshinim both love the program, which simultaneously broadens and deepens each other’s experience. Also, the board has been able to approve and implement raises for our staff in recognition of their service and experience as well as to attempt to draw closer to the ever rising cost of living in California.

If you are able to donate to our school, we would be profoundly grateful. There is no gift too big or too small (Even $18, chai, really helps, but please feel free to give as generously as your means allow!) We've found that inviting grandparents and extended family members is also a great way to tap into meaningful support from those who love your children and their community.

Here's what the funds will be used for:

Everything raised for the appeal goes directly back to your child and the classrooms.

We are hoping to continue to have a Hebew speaking shinshinim here every day next year. In order to pay the Jewish Federation, we rely on the funds from the appeal.

The appeal helps fund outdoor education (teacher Laurie), music classes, other outside enrichment, etc!

The board hopes to continue to increase teacher payscale so that it approaches a living wage for our location and might show our staff the same reciprocal dedication and respect that they show our students and community — your gift will help us achieve that.

To fund our increased security costs

To fund selected fee reductions to keep B’nai inclusive and accessible to a diverse student body

B'nai Simcha remains one of the most affordable early child Jewish education options given the high quality of education and care provided — your gift will be put to use immediately towards your child's learning experience.

*please feel free to contact us through the platform or contact the school if you wish to specify an earmarked use for your gift*