Jewish Preschool Scholarships

We believe the Bay Area’s high cost of living shouldn’t deny educational opportunities and Jewish experiences for young people in our community.  

That’s why we partner with Jewish Preschools in the Federation’s service area to provide need-based scholarships to Jewish children.

Scholarship guidelines

Preschools use these guidelines when administering the Federation’s scholarships.

  • Applicants must live in the Federation’s service area. 
  • Families may apply for preschool scholarships for one or more children.
  • Children must be Jewish (as identified by their families). 
  • Families must contribute a minimum percentage of total tuition according to their ability to pay. 
  • Scholarships must be “last resort” funds, supplementing financial assistance provided by the preschool, family, and all other possible sources, for families who would otherwise not be able to attend.

How to apply

Families must apply for the Federation’s preschool scholarships through their participating preschools.

Bay Area Preschools

The following preschools are operating in the 2022-2023 year.

San Francisco: 

Chabad of Noe Valley - Gan Noe Preschool*
Cole Valley Gan Preschool*
Congregation Beth Sholom Family Preschool*
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (Brotherhood Way Preschool, Helen Diller Family Preschool, Rosenberg Early Childhood Education Center)*
Shalom School*
Temple Emanu-El Preschool*

Peninsula:

Chabad of Mid Peninsula - The Gan MidPen Preschool, Redwood City
Chai Preschool, Foster City*
Congregation Beth Jacob, Redwood City*
Oshman Family JCC - Leslie Family Preschool, Palo Alto*
Peninsula JCC Preschool, Foster City*
Peninsula Temple Sholom Preschool, Burlingame*
South Peninsula Hebrew Day School Preschool, Sunnyvale*

Marin & Sonoma:

B'nai Israel Jewish Center-Gan Israel, Petaluma*
Congregation Beth Ami Community Nursery School, Santa Rosa*
Congregation Kol Shofar - The Grove Preschool, Tiburon*
Gan Israel Preschool, San Rafael*
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center*

East Bay: 

Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland - Gan Mah Tov Preschool, Oakland*
Chabad of Alameda - The Gan Preschool, Alameda
Chabad of Contra Costa - Gan Yiladim Preschool, Walnut Creek*
Chabad of Oakland - Gani Preschool, Oakland
Congregation Beth El Nursery School (BENS), Berkeley*
Congregation Beth Emek Preschool, Pleasanton
Congregation Beth Israel - Gan Shalom Preschool, Berkeley*
Congregation B'nai Shalom Preschool, Walnut Creek*
Congregation Netivot Shalom Preschool, Berkeley*
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay Preschool, Berkeley*
Temple Beth Abraham - Gan Avraham Preschool, Oakland*
Temple Beth Sholom Preschool, San Leandro*
Temple Beth Torah - Gan Sameach Preschool, Fremont 
Temple Isaiah of Contra Costa County - Gan Ilan Preschool, Lafayette* 
Temple Sinai - David Pregerson Preschool, Oakland*

South Bay:

Addison-Penzak JCC Preschool, Los Gatos 
Chabad of Greater South Bay - Gan Torah Preschool, Mountain View*
Congregation Sinai Nursery School, San Jose
Gan Shalom Preschool, San Jose
Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center, Los Gatos
Temple Emanu-El Preschool, San Jose

Scholarship award process

The Federation allocates block grants to each qualifying preschool from which to award scholarships based on financial need. Applications are reviewed and awards determined by the school’s financial aid committee. Application contents and materials and applicants’ identities are kept strictly confidential. Applicants will be notified about award decisions directly by the preschool.

*Indicates that this preschool received Federation funding for student scholarships for the 2022-23 school year.

For more information, please contact:
David Green
Director, Engagement, Community Impact
415.512.6216