The Preschool at Mishkon

Our educational vision is based upon emergent curriculum principles. All projects must be meaningful to them and their world.

Small, nurturing play-based preschool influenced by Jewish traditions, where children 18 months-5 years can develop to their fullest potential through child-led emergent curriculum. As a school community, we are committed to values based on an image of children as curious, competent and capable of co-constructing knowledge. Our journey begins as our staff asks questions, listens to children, colla

borates with them and documents their work. As children discover and explore, they may work on investigations that may last a few days to a few months. By creating a classroom environment that allows for open-ended learning and discovery, we give children a chance to express themselves and understand their world. We also believe that learning is a cooperative venture that includes other children, their teachers, their families and our larger community. Literacy, math, social studies, science, music and arts are all emphasized through a framework of hands-on experiences. The Preschool at Mishkon serves children from two to five years of age. We provide a warm, nurturing environment influenced by Jewish traditions, where children can develop to their fullest potential. We treat children as unique individuals and support, guide and stimulate their social, emotional, spiritual, cognitive, creative and physical growth. Our children internalize Jewish values and traditions through Shabbat observances and the celebration of all Jewish holidays, including:
• Jewish songs, Israeli dances
• Hebrew vocabulary
• Stories
• Jewish moral development
We maintain a low child-teacher ratio (6:1 in preschool, 4:1 for toddlers). Our ratios enable teachers to facilitate children’s exploration of art, dramatic play, literature, music, science, math, and cooking by helping them to engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Responding to the developmental needs of each child, we support younger children as they develop independent toilet learning skills. We provide materials that vary in complexity and diversity, providing challenging opportunities for all children to develop skills and understanding. Children require years of play with real objects and events before they develop the ability to understand the meaning of symbols, such as letters and numbers. This learning takes place through interaction with others; children learn with all senses and through experimentation. As children’s understanding of concepts and language skills gradually develop over their first few years, they acquire an understanding of more abstract and symbolic information. We provide a variety of enriching books and literacy-related materials, such as finger puppets, flannel board stories, and tools for early writing. Further avenues for creative symbolic expression are opened through a variety of paper, water-based paints, drawing supplies and other materials. The learning experience is rounded out with outdoor play on large muscle equipment, field trips, undertaking classroom responsibilities and problem-solving opportunities with both children and adults. Our environment includes learning materials and interest centers which serve as the core of our curriculum. Additionally, we offer enrichment experiences in music and yoga & mindfulness once a week.

Photos from The Preschool at Mishkon's post

05/27/2026

🏖️ We are so excited Shabbat on the Beach is returning THIS FRIDAY! 🐚

Learn more and RSVP here https://www.mishkon.org/shabbat-on-the-beach.html

05/07/2026

Join us for a joyful and interactive Tot Shabbat service with music and storytelling, followed by grape juice and challah on the bimah with Rabbi Katzan, and a kiddush lunch with the congregation. Tot Shabbat will be led by Mishkon's Rabbinical Intern Lily Gross and Mishkon member Jeffrey Prince. Lily will pair her lively spirit and beautiful singing voice with Jeffrey's special talent for engaging our preschoolers through his interactive songs and exciting Jewish stories.

RSVP for this free event here https://www.mishkon.org/event/community-tot-shabbat.html

Tot Shabbat is hosted once a month and is tailored to children 6 and younger. Tot Shabbat is free and open to members and non-members — please sign up if you’ll be joining us!

Schedule:
11 a.m. Free play
11:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat service
12 p.m. Join Rabbi Katzan on the bimah
12:15 p.m. Kiddush lunch (bagels, fruit, and more)

04/14/2026

🫧Tot Shabbat and Kiddush!🫧

Join us for a joyful and interactive Tot Shabbat service with music and storytelling, followed by grape juice and challah on the bimah with Rabbi Katzan, and a kiddush lunch with the congregation. Tot Shabbat will be led by Mishkon member Jeffrey Prince, who has a special talent for engaging our preschoolers through his interactive songs and exciting Jewish stories.

Saturday, April 18 at 11 am in Venice. RSVP here https://www.mishkon.org/event/community-tot-shabbat.html

Tot Shabbat is hosted once a month and is tailored to children 6 and younger. Tot Shabbat is free and open to members and non-members — please sign up below if you’ll be joining us!

Schedule:
11 a.m. Free play
11:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat service
12 p.m. Join Rabbi Katzan on the bimah
12:15 p.m. Kiddush lunch (bagels, fruit, and more)

04/01/2026

Happy Passover! Chag Pesach Sameach!

03/25/2026

03/03/2026

🎭Purim at Mishkon!🎭

02/26/2026

Join us for a joyful and interactive Tot Shabbat service with music and storytelling, followed by grape juice and challah on the bimah with Rabbi Katzan, and a kiddush lunch with the congregation.

This Tot Shabbat will be led by Music with Kira! Kira is an early childhood music educator and children's performer!

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 11 am
Location: The Preschool at Mishkon in Venice
RSVP here https://www.mishkon.org/event/community-tot-shabbat.html

Schedule:
11 a.m. Free play
11:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat service
12 p.m. Join Rabbi Katzan on the bimah
12:15 p.m. Kiddush lunch (bagels, fruit, and more)

This event is tailored to children 6 and younger. Tot Shabbat is free and open to members and non-members — please RSVP if you’ll be joining us!

02/06/2026

Shabbat Shalom! ❤️

Every Friday our preschoolers make challah and dance with Rabbi Katzan for Rock Shabbat!

02/04/2026

Bring the entire family for a high-energy Tot Shabbat with Mishkon’s very own Jeffrey Prince. It will be a morning filled with songs, stories, and movement all infused with that special Shabbat feeling! After Tot Shabbat, we will join Rabbi Katzan for grape juice and challah on the bimah, and a kiddush lunch with the congregation.

Upcoming dates: February 7 and March 7
Location: Mishkon Tephilo in Venice
Schedule:
11 a.m. Free play
11:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat service
12 p.m. Join Rabbi Katzan on the bimah
12:15 p.m. Kiddush lunch (bagels, fruit, and more)

This event is tailored to children 6 and younger. Tot Shabbat is free and open to members and non-members — please sign up below if you’ll be joining us!
Learn more about this free event and RSVP https://www.mishkon.org/event/community-tot-shabbat.html

12/12/2025

This week at Mishkon’s JRP (Jewish Roots Project), the kids had a wonderful time learning about Hanukkah!

They learned the meaning of the Menorah and the Dreidel, and why oil is special during the holiday. We had engaging discussions, and we played an interactive board game with questions and songs. They then created their own menorahs with air-dry clay!

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Location

Venice

Telephone

+13103967733

Website

https://www.mishkon.org/preschool.html, https://www.mishkon.org/jewish-roots-project.html, https://www.mishkon.org/presc

Address

201 Hampton Drive
Venice, CA
90291

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm