CMCH Welcomes Chabad Early Childhood Directors from Around the World
Two weeks ago, Chaya Mushka Children’s House proudly welcomed directors and educators from across the globe as part of the annual Chabad Early Childhood Directors Retreat. Over several meaningful days, participants engaged in workshops, collaborative discussions, tours, wellness experiences, leadership sessions, and opportunities to build lasting connections with fellow educators and shluchos dedicated to Jewish early childhood education.
CMCH was honored to serve as a host school during the retreat, opening our classrooms to visitors eager to observe Montessori-inspired learning in action. Guests experienced the calm rhythm of the school day, intentional classroom environments, and the independence and confidence nurtured within even the youngest children. More than simply showcasing a school, the visit offered a glimpse into CMCH’s broader vision: creating an environment where children are deeply respected, capable, connected, and empowered to develop both strong character and a lifelong love of learning.
“Visiting The Chaya Mushka Children’s House at Chabad of Atlanta, Georgia was truly a highlight of my trip,” shared Rivka Demburg of Torah Tots in Boca Raton. “The environment was aesthetically beautiful and reflected thoughtful attention to every detail. The teachers and children were deeply engaged in meaningful learning experiences, creating a warm and inspiring atmosphere. What a tremendous gift for both the staff and students to be part of such an exceptional early childhood center!”
Mussie Alperowitz of South Dakota Gan reflected on the authentic classroom experience she witnessed: “Observing the peaceful, calm atmosphere in each classroom was truly extraordinary. I especially enjoyed watching a teacher work one-on-one with a child on literacy skills — sitting together on the floor, using hands-on materials — rather than relying on worksheets or large-group circle time instruction. Beyond the beautifully designed facility, it was the authentic rhythm and gentle hum of a real school day that impacted me most.”
Rivky Ganzburg of My Little Gan in Toronto shared: “The classrooms felt peaceful and engaging, with children fully immersed in meaningful work and learning with such focus and joy. It was especially amazing to see even the toddlers preparing and serving their own breakfast cereal and squeezing fresh orange juice independently. We left feeling inspired by the Montessori approach and the beautiful sense of confidence, curiosity, and responsibility it nurtures in children.”
The retreat itinerary was thoughtfully curated to support directors both professionally and personally, with sessions ranging from classroom management and leadership development to collaborative discussions, art therapy, relationship building, and school tours. One especially meaningful workshop, The Sound of Shared Experience, brought every director together to collaboratively write and create an original song reflecting the shared struggles, joys, and connections of Shlichus.
The collaborative song created during the retreat can be listened to here:
Listen to “The Sound of Shared Experience”
Hosting educators from around the world was an incredible privilege for CMCH. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our school, connect with fellow educators, and contribute to such an inspiring gathering dedicated to strengthening Jewish early childhood education worldwide.
