The Chai Center Preschool & Summer Camp

Ours is a Reform Synagogue whose members reside throughout Union County and beyond. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, Temple Emanu-El was founded in 1950 and currently serves more than 1, 100 member families. The story of Temple Emanu-El is best told in its context of colonial Westfield, New Jersey. A scenic, classic American town founded in 1794, Westfield was home to only a handful of Jews beginning around the First World War. By 1950, a group of 43 families of disparate religious backgrounds came together, resolved to create a Jewish identity. At a time when Jews could not purchase land in much of Westfield, and residents circulated petitions against the building of a synagogue, these founders persevered. They created a community that flourished in size and influence, while broadening the town's understanding and vision of itself. The founding families came from Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform backgrounds, with varying attachments to each. Assisted by our first Rabbi, they devised an interpretation of Reform Judaism uniquely their own: an organic Jewish community with integrated religious, cultural, social and philanthropic efforts. Traditions of Judaism were retained, including required kipot on the bima, extensive Hebrew worship, and customary observances. For more than 60 years, Jews of all backgrounds and beliefs have felt welcome in Temple Emanu-El

First Presbyterian Nursery School has been an integral part of our community since 1969. In the past years, we have grown and changed in many ways, but our mission remains the same: "To provide, as a community service, a non-profit, non-sectarian nursery school of the highest educational standards." We believe that all children learn best in environments arranged with attention to their development level. Teachers and the environment encourage physical movement, freedom of expression, active communication, and individual and group problem solving. We have a well-planned facility that has a variety of materials including blocks, sand, water, house corners, table toys, manipulatives, computers, library, paints, and play dough or clay. Each day we select a variety of learning materials with the curriculum goals in mind. We recognize that each child is a unique person with the individual pattern and timing, as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background. The curriculum and the adults who interact with the children in our care a responsive to these individual differences.