BJE Builder Stacy Kesner, Director of Early Childhood Center, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills

Early Childhood is a critical time for children to develop their identity. Our Early Childhood Center provides each child with an environment created to stimulate curiosity, which in turn ignites learning and imagination. Our Judaic curriculum is multidimensional and joyful, helping to instill in each child an invaluable lifelong love of learning and community, which preserves our Jewish heritage.

A Builder of Jewish Education is an architect, one who plans, designs spaces and oversees the construction of our youngest community. Educating and introducing students to an innovative curriculum, while at the same time investing in the growth of Jewish education, allows a builder to be an integral part in providing the foundation for each child’s Jewish identity.

For nearly four decades Stacy Kesner has dedicated herself to the development of Jewish souls, and the intellectual and emotional well being of her pre-school students. Over the years she has combined the best new practices in early childhood education with her own sensibilities to create a program that nourishes the students as they begin to connect socially with each other, and encourages them to love learning. Stacy’s devotion to the welfare of not just her students, but to the entire family, in a personal and heartfelt way, makes her school a welcoming place where families feel seen and safe. Stacy’s unwavering efforts to create a warm, secure, loving environment combined with a hands-on and practical educational program make her one of the builders of Jewish education in Los Angeles.

Temple Emanuel’s Early Childhood Center has pivoted nicely during the pandemic. The ECC students adapted quite well to the socially distanced and mask protocols and were delighted to be back in the classroom with their friends and teachers. Our school has prepared virtual learning bags for each student in the event a classroom has to close temporarily and transition to an online platform. Our staff took time to include thoughtful projects, games, DIYs and educational activities in their virtual curriculum. Our unique learning opportunities and exciting activities continue with much energy and enthusiasm throughout our school day whether in class or online.

Stacy’s unwavering efforts to create a warm, secure, loving environment combined with a hands-on and practical educational program make her one of the builders of Jewish education in Los Angeles.

Stacy Kesner is being recognized at BJE's Out of the Box Gala on February 5, 2021, along with other educational leaders throughout Los Angeles.

For more information about who is being recognized and how to participate, please go to www.bjela.org/gala.

To learn more about Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, please go to their website by clicking here.