Service honors Judy Jacks Berman

They came by the dozens. Chairs were added to the back of the room. Young children sat on the floor in front of the bimah. Educators, grandparents, parents, school age youngsters and preschoolers all packed into Congregation Beth Shalom’s services last Shabbos (Feb. 8) to honor Judy Jacks Berman, a teacher’s teacher and director of the Rose Family Early Childhood Education Center of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Everyone helped “Miss Judy” celebrate 20 years as teacher and director of the nationally accredited children’s preschool program. Miss Judy has infused the curriculum with Judaic and life principles gained growing up as the daughter of practicing Jewish parents and KU early childhood training. It was so natural for her to greet congregants with “boker tov” and a smile, and hug all the service participants as they left the bimah. Miss Judy remembered the names of her preschoolers, their parents, former students and the 40 or so present and past educators who joined in paying homage to her for her many abilities and joyful attitude over the past two decades.

Miss Judy encourages children to learn about their world and religion through creative programs and an evolving curriculum. If the lessons worked before, she thinks of ways in which the students can become more involved or leave with a more positive experience. Jewish current events help students connect the present to the past. Services express how important tradition is to Judaism. All the service participants last Saturday have a direct connection to the education program — present and past, except for Rabbi Glickman and Hazzan Ben-Yehuda — although the rabbi’s youngest is enrolled in the school. Middle-schoolers and high school students chanted the service. A few undergraduates traveled home from nearby universities. Many community members honored Jacks Berman by donating to the Education Center to keep it a program of excellence.

Jacks Berman admitted other synagogues in the area also have good early childhood programs, but with her skills and heart invested in Beth Shalom’s, its participants will continue to be winners.

Marlene Lerner

Overland Park, Kan.