Philanthropic Venture
Jewish Early Childhood Education
LEARN ABOUT US
Tracing Our Roots: EarlyJ's History
EarlyJ is a joint philanthropic venture aimed at transforming the reach and quality of Jewish Early Childhood Education across the Bay Area and beyond. In 2023, the Rodan Family Foundation and the Koum Family Foundation established EarlyJ, with the Weingarten Foundation joining as an anchor funder in 2024.
Together, these three foundations have seeded this work with a combined $16 million, in addition to $3.19 million raised from other foundations and the community.
EarlyJ’s goal is to significantly increase the number of Bay Area Jewish families with preschool-age children participating in Jewish early childhood education. To fully achieve our ambitious mission, we need more support and invite additional funding partners to join the leadership team.
EarlyJ builds off a pilot launched in 2019 by the Rodan Family Foundation and its partners in the East Bay, serving as a test lab before scaling the work. EarlyJ is now scaling up these pilot initiatives across the Bay Area and beyond, while also launching innovative programs to deepen impact.
The Symbolism of Our Logo
The logo features the pomegranate, a symbol deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, representing fertility, abundance, and spiritual richness. Within the pomegranate, the menorah, a symbol associated with knowledge and enlightenment, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering a love for learning from an early age. The intertwining branches of the menorah, adorned with delicate pomegranate seeds, represent the growth, vitality, and developmental journey of children. These seeds are not only a symbol of the fruit itself but also reflect the interconnectedness and holistic nature of Jewish education in early childhood. They signify the nurturing environment we aim to create, where young minds can flourish and develop a lifelong love for learning.
Investing in Jewish Early Childhood Education for a Stronger Future
“We have learned that building a strong and sustainable ECE infrastructure requires a holistic, multi-pronged approach, with significant investments across four key areas,” says Elana Rodan Schuldt, President and CEO of the Rodan Family Foundation.
Elana Rodan Schuldt
President and CEO of the Rodan Family Foundation
Yana Kalika
President of the Koum Family Foundation.
“Among the most important focus areas of the Koum Family Foundation is to strengthen Jewish identity and create a life-long connection to Jewish life. We firmly believe that investing in Jewish Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the Bay Area is not just an investment in the next generation, but pertinent to the very fabric of our heritage.
"Together, we can shape a future where our Jewish children embrace their cultural identity, build strong Jewish foundations, and become compassionate leaders who will carry the torch of Jewish values forward,” says Yana Kalika, President of the Koum Family Foundation."
EarlyJ’s Areas of Focus
Expand existing sites and add new sites in geographic areas where young Jewish families reside
Establish a regional peer-led effort to connect young families to the established Jewish community and each other
Transform professional development, compensation, and benefits
Ensure JECE sites are inclusive to all Jewish households
EarlyJ in the News
December 5, 2024
