Click Below To Explore Ganon Gil
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Ganon Gil (Hebrew for “Happy Nursery”) was created in 1955 with the idea that while children are learning to socialize and adjust to a group situation they are also learning to relate to Jewish traditions, Hebrew language, ceremonies and holidays which are an integral part of the American Jewish identity.
Ganon Gil has a comprehensive and developmental program designed to help children reach their full potential socially and emotionally and provides them with the educational components necessary for future school success.
Ganon Gil is more than just a preschool, it is a family. Each staff member takes the time to not only get to know the children they teach but also the student’s parents and siblings. The bonds that are created in the classroom, the hallways and the social functions at Ganon Gil allow the families to all feel connected and give the sense of a community of Jewish tradition.
Building strong minds and a sense of self is a goal of our teachers here at Ganon Gil. We offer a wide range of activities both in and out of the classroom to help our kids learn to be independent thinkers.
Ganon Gil’s mission is to provide children with love and a caring atmosphere so that they can learn the social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills that they will need now and in the future.
Come and see why Ganon Gil Preschool is one of Cleveland’s most innovative Jewish preschools and the place “Where love and caring are the building blocks of the future.”
Voted in the top 3 best Jewish Preschools in Cleveland by The Source Magazine
Ganon Gil preschool is housed in the beautiful Temple, Beachwood. Rabbis Richard A. Block, Rosette Barron Haim , Roger C. Klein and Stacy Schlein, and Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo participate in programming, along with The Temple’s outstanding Judaic education team.
The students have access to The Temple’s state-of-the-art library and resource center, the sanctuary, and a brand new playground. The Temple’s renowned Museum of Religious Art and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, adjacent to The Temple, will also be available to the students and their families as unique educational resources. Tuition discounts and priority registration are available to Temple members.
Ganon Gil offers high quality care and education for children ages, 6 weeks to 5 years old. We operate 50 weeks a year and our hours of operation are 7:00am-6:00pm Monday-Thursday and 7:00-5:30 on Fridays.
Read All About Us In The CJN!
Want to know more about us? Follow this link, fill out an inquiry form, and we will contact you!
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The Weekly Shabbat Box goes home to children on a rotating basis. Check out Elliot saying the Shabbat Blessings.
Want to know more about us? Follow this link, fill out an inquiry form, and we will contact you!
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Invest In Children
We are the first Jewish Early Childhood Center in the Cleveland Community to receive this important recognition. The competitive selection process included submission of a detailed application, interviews and a site visit, to assure that we meet the high standards and specific requirements of the program. There are two components to the UPK program – the first being a monetary grant that will enable us to further enhance and sustain high quality education standards and programming. The second will allow families who meet eligibility requirements to qualify for a 33% scholarship on preschool and daycare fees.
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All of our forms in one simple place!
The titles below are links to either an online form or a PDF version of our forms that you may print off and submit in person or by mail.
Online
Inquiry Form – this online form is simple to fill out for parents who would like to know more about what Ganon Gil has to offer for your child.
Registration Contract – completing this Registration Contract and submitting your payment online reserves your enrollment space.
Printable
Ganon Gil UPK Health Screening Acknowledgement Form
Infant Room Sensory Experience Permission
SUTQ Developmental and Educational Goals
Our Administrative Staff
Our Morot (Hebrew for "Teacher")
Sheila Jones – Infant Room
Sheila has been working in the early childhood field since 1998. In 2005, She was awarded a Child Development Associates (CDA), a certificate in Infant Care Excellence from KinderCare. She has also received a certification of completion in Teaching Technique from the Leadership Institute. Sheila is currently enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Early Childhood Distance Learning program. Sheila was named Ganon Gil Teacher of the Year in 2015. Sheila is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
Sheila and her Husband Greg have 3 children and 6 Grandchildren! She grew up in a large family, and is the 4th oldest of 8. Sheila likes to meditate, read books, and write children’s stories and poetry in her spare time. She is a seamstress, wedding dress designer, wedding coordinator and caters!
Sheila believes that she creates a loving, caring and wonderful environment where children learn, laugh, play and grow.
Dwila McAdams – Infant Room
Dwila holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cuyahoga Community College. She has taught preschool aged children for the past 26 years. She was awarded a Child Development Associates Certificate (CDA) in 1993. She became a CDA Adviser/Trainer in 1995. Her experience spans both public and private preschool programs. Dwila is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ) and the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAYEC).
Chen’ee Steele – Infant Room
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio I have 10 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator. Although I love working with children of all ages, my specialty is Infants.
I received my Child Development Associate in Infant and Toddlers in 2013.
My favorite Children book is “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” By Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Numbers. In my free time, I like to spend quality time with my family such as shopping, and traveling.
I’m looking forward to meeting, and becoming a new staff member this year, and the years to come with the Ganon Gil Team, and getting familiar with all the children as well as families.
Shana Cala – Infant Room
Shana has been working with children since 2007, both as a child care provider and in the behavioral health field. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cleveland State University. Shana loves working with children and enjoys being a part of their growth and development. Shana is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
Shana and her husband, Jim, live in South Euclid with their 2 children, Anna and William, and their dog, Harry. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, doing outdoor activities and visiting with extended family.
Hayley Baskind – Toddler 1 Room
Hayley has been working in early childhood since 2002. She joined the Ganon Gil team in December 2014 and joined the infant room staff for a 1 year. She left Ganon Gil for a short time and in September 2016 she re-joined the staff at as teacher in the Toddler 1 Room. Hayley is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
She and her husband Scott were married in 1996, they have 3 children; Josh, Jason and Hannah (a Ganon Gil Graduate), and a Dachshund named, Buckeye. Hayley is an avid reader and a big sports fan.
Wendy Binkofsky – Toddler 1 Room
Wendy has been working in the early childhood field since 1986! She was a Toddler teacher at True Sisters Early Childhood Center for 23 years. Wendy was awarded a Child Developments Associates (CDA) – Infant & Toddler Certificate in January 2015 and she is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
Wendy and her son Seth live in Beachwood.
Adrianne Tufts – Toddler 2 Room
My name is Adrienne Tufts. I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio. I have twenty years of experience working as an early childcare educator. I enjoy working with children of all ages but I LOVE working with toddlers. I received my Child Development Associate Certificate in infants & toddlers in 2016 from the Carey Institute.
My favorite food is tacos. The things that I enjoy doing when I am not working is walking, traveling and spending time with my family. My favorite children’s book is “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff.
I am excited about this upcoming school year working with the Ganon Gil team. I am looking forward to meeting & getting to know all of the children & their families.
Nicole Salvatore – Toddler 2 Room
This is my second year teaching toddlers and my third year being an educator. I love teaching toddlers and all the learning and fun we get to have!
I graduated from Notre Dame College with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am certified to teach Pre-K through third grade. I have been working with children for over ten years, whether it be teaching, tutoring, being a nanny or working in a daycare center. I enjoy every minute of it!
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, baking and of course shopping! My favorite food is Italian, favorite color is pink and my favorite books are cook books!
I’m looking forward to meeting all my students and all the exploring and fun we will have this year!
Emily Frumker – Preschool 1 Room
Emily received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from The University of Toledo. Emily has been working at Ganon Gil since 2013. She loves working with the children and watching them grow, become independent thinkers and individuals. She is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
Emily is a big Cleveland and Ohio State sports fan and loves watching and cheering them on. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music, go to concerts, see movies and travel. Emily also likes to be with her friends and family and she is very passionate about playing softball.
Yael Weiss – Preschool 1 Room and Float
Yael is a graduate from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is the morning float and an afternoon teacher in the Preschool 1 classroom. Yael’s knowledge and experiences with all ages aids to her position as a school float.
Debbie Goldman – Preschool 2 Room
Debbie Goldman has been working with children of all ages since 1998. In 2008, she earned a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Siegal College of Judaic Studies and she is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ). Debbie has been working at The Early Learning Center-Ganon Gil since 2013 and also teaches Kindergarten in The Learning Center at Tifereth Israel. Debbie was recently named the ROZZY STEAM Coordinator and the 2017 Teacher of the Year. Debbie has been married to her husband Mitch since 2001 and they have 2 children -Ben and Mikayla.
Debbie enjoys scrapbooking and going to Rick Springfield concerts where she is able to spend time with her friends and relax.
Kori Karas – Preschool 2 Room
Kori graduated from Notre Dame College of Ohio with a Bachelor of arts degree and holds an early childhood teaching license through the state of Ohio. Kori has been teaching since 2004 and working with children of all ages. She is married to her husband Jonathan and they have been married since 2005. They have two children, Michael and Maya. Kori is a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).
In her free time Kori enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, walking, and reading.
Sharon Young Deutchman – Preschool 2 & 3 Enrichment
Sharon joins Ganon Gil with eight years experience teaching for Kindermusik of Cleveland. Sharon engaged and educated young children, ages 3 months to 5 years and their caregivers, sharing with them the importance of why music benefits all their major domains of learning.
Sharon is a strong believer in early music education, and loves seeing first-hand the benefits that exposure to music has at an early age. Sharon is thrilled to be a part of the Ganon Gil community, in addition to being able to share her passion for music and movement with the children.
Working with children came late to Sharon, as she spent thirty-two years in the hospitality business, working alongside her brother in their family business, The Beverly Hills Café, and The Fresh Express.
Sharon has been an active member of The Temple – Tifereth Israel since 1992, being involved in The Temple Arts Program, Temple Family Connections (formerly TYA), and Shabbaton, as well as many volunteer positions.
Sharon lives in Pepper Pike with her husband Charles, daughter Alexandra (17), and dog Crystal.
She has two grown sons who spent their formative years at The Temple, both becoming Confirmands.
In her free time, Sharon plays tennis, sings in the choir, is a mosaic artist, gardens, and loves to be in community theatre productions.
Rachel Smylie – Preschool 3 Room
Rachel is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in English and a minor in Psychology. She has previously worked in retail banking and office administration in addition to working as a substitute teacher in other local preschools for several years.
Rachel and her husband Jordan live in Lyndhurst with their daughter Elizabeth (another member of the Ganon Gil family!) and their fur babies: Samson, Tabitha, and Shadow.
A committed Disney fan, Rachel also enjoys reading and watching too much TV after the rest of the house has gone to bed!
Kelly Jones – Preschool 3 Room
My name is Kelly Jones, and I am excited to start my new adventure at The Temple – Tifereth Israel Early Learning Center, Ganon Gil! I have been teaching preschool since 2006, and have worked in childcare since 2001 where I have been blessed to work with children of all ages. I graduated from Cleveland State University in 2012 and I have been working as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher ever since. Pre-Kindergarten is my passion! I love to watch as children discover the world through meaningful and interactive actives that engage them in their own learning. I currently live in Perry, Ohio near my family. My family includes my parents, older brother and his wife, younger sister and her husband, one amazing nephew, and my puppy Hershey. I am looking forward to getting you know all of you soon!
Brittany Hirsch – Float
Brittany received her B.A. in Psychology from Aurora University in 2014. After graduating, she wanted to further her education and earned a Masters in Social Work in 2016, specialized in Health Care. She interned at a Foster Care/Adoption agency as well as at a Hospital. Both settings allowed her to gain great experience working with our youth and families. This past school year Brittany has been the lead teacher at 5-Star Learning Ranch in Aurora, IL.
Brittany played on the Aurora University Women’s Soccer team during undergrad. She is excited to working at Ganon Gil (again- she was the Preschool 3 teacher in 2014) and she is a Ganon Gil graduate!
