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Home > GMT Preschool > About Gan Mah Tov

About Us

Our Philosophy

Gan Mah Tov provides a nurturing educational environment for infants to children 5 years old. Our approach nurtures creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a passion for our Jewish heritage through hands-on learning experiences, allowing children to explore their interests and pursue their passions.

We believe in igniting a love of learning. Our curriculum is tailored by age group to ensure a stimulating and engaging experience for each child. We provide rich and meaningful Jewish content, including education and exploration related to Jewish holidays and traditions, Israel, and the Hebrew language.

Our dedicated staff, comprised of caring and highly qualified professionals, supports children as they develop important social skills and empathy. They provide a solid foundation for children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them for a successful future.

Through teacher-guided activities with opportunities for child-initiated exploration, Gan Mah Tov promotes active learning and intellectual growth.

We prioritize open communication with parents, sharing our philosophy, goals, and program to facilitate active involvement and education. Together, we partner to support your child's development and celebrate their achievements.

Gan Mah Tov is committed to nurturing the whole child and fostering a lifelong love for learning rooted in Jewish values and traditions. Join us on this enriching journey of discovery and growth!

Meet our Teachers and Staff

Gan Mah Tov’s educators hold credentials in early childhood education and are passionate about this field. Our teachers believe in the importance of tailoring learning to the child. They always adapt the learning experience to meet the needs of each child. 

Each year, we invite two to three young women from Israel to come and serve as Hebrew and Israeli cultural ambassadors in the classrooms. These “Banot Sherut” create lifelong connections with our children and the wider Gan community. As each Jewish or Israeli holiday approaches, they prepare our children through language, song, dance, and art to celebrate the day in authentic Israeli fashion. Children in our Gan are well prepared to continue their Hebrew education at local Jewish Day Schools or Synagogue-based Hebrew School programs.

Melanie Marcus - Director of Gan Mah Tov

Melanie Marcus brings a deep love and commitment to the Beth Jacob and Oakland Jewish communities. With over a decade of experience as Admissions Director at Oakland Hebrew Day School (OHDS), and prior work as a Senior Development Associate at the Jewish Federation, Melanie has long been a dedicated leader in Jewish education and community development. More recently, she has played a pivotal role in the Piedmont community, focusing on Israel advocacy and education.

Melanie’s three children are proud graduates of Gan Mah Tov Preschool, where she served as President of the Gan Board Committee for six years. During her tenure, she participated in daily operations and spearheaded key initiatives, including the creation of the beloved outdoor playground. Melanie is committed to preserving Gan Mah Tov’s heimish (warm and welcoming) atmosphere while supporting its continued growth and success.

Marili Rothberg – Director of Learning and Jewish Education

Morah Marili brings deep expertise in early childhood education, with a special focus on developing engaging and accessible Jewish curricula as well as documenting student experiences in the classroom. She has a wealth of teaching experience at Jewish institutions of nearly every denomination. She is passionate about making Jewish learning joyful and meaningful for children and families. Over the past year, Morah Marili has served as Jewish Curriculum Specialist, and she is eager to take on the role of Director of Learning and Jewish Education. Her goal is to support both staff and students as they experience Jewish traditions, practices, and culture.

Rabbi Gershon Albert

Rabbi Gershon Albert has been the senior rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland since 2014. Originally from Montreal, Canada, he received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). Rabbi Albert believes in the nexus of Torah and modern life, and in the power of lifelong learning to transform communities, families, and individuals. Being a passionate musician, he is committed to enhancing Jewish ritual and spirituality through music and song. He brings his love of music into the classroom during our community Shabbat programming.

Morah Sierra Warren

Sierra grew up in the Bay Area, right in San Francisco. She completed her education at California State University East Bay with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught children for nine years and thinks humans are fascinating, especially the tiny ones! She adores facilitating reading circles and art time with children, allowing them an avenue to be creative and express themselves. Sierra believes learning should always be fun and inclusive for both teachers and students, perhaps just a bit messy too!

Morah Tiffany Blair

A graduate of Saddleback Community College, Tiffany has four years of experience teaching infants and toddlers. She believes in modeling kindness and love. Outside of teaching, Tiffany enjoys hiking, playing the guitar, and swimming.

Morah Karin Felso

Karin brings over 17 years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for working with young children. Originally from Israel, she has dedicated her career to nurturing the growth and development of toddlers. Karin believes that every child is unique and approaches each day with warmth, patience, and curiosity. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and their three children. Karin is thrilled to be part of the caring and dedicated team at Gan Mah Tov.

Morah Brenda Manriquez

Morah Brenda specializes in Early Childhood Education and has five years of teaching experience. She cherishes the opportunity to bond with each child as she guides them in self-discovery. Brenda loves spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking traditional recipes. 

Morah Rosa Manriquez

With a lifetime of childcare and two years of professional experience teaching infants and toddlers, Rosa loves the affection children show to one another and their teachers. She also cherishes watching them grow. Rosa believes that the best way to teach a child is to model the behavior for them. Outside the classroom, Rosa enjoys spending time with her daughters and grandchildren, staying informed by watching the news and cooking meals for her family.

Morah Stephanie Wu

With an educational background in ECE that includes coursework in Child Growth and Development as well as Child, Family, and Community, Morah Stephanie brings a wealth of passion to our preschool. She delights in witnessing their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm as they explore the world around them. Her educational philosophy centers around creating a supportive and engaging environment where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Stephanie's goal is to encourage each student to reach their full potential, fostering a sense of accomplishment and joy in learning.

Peek Inside the Gan

When our children step into Gan Mah Tov, they enter a vibrant and nurturing space where every corner is designed to spark curiosity and delight. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to create a stimulating environment where children can learn, explore, and grow to their fullest potential. It's a place where imaginations soar, friendships blossom, and the joy of discovery is celebrated every day.

For infants, sensory bins filled with textures, shapes, and colors encourage hands-on exploration and foster early learning experiences. 

Toddlers delight in a world of discovery, with low shelves filled with age-appropriate toys and manipulatives beckoning them to explore. Areas with large, gross motor toys stimulate their imagination and physical development, while soft cushions invite them to gather for storytime or quiet moments of reflection. 

For older children, the classrooms are set up for dynamic, hands-on, collaborative learning experiences with opportunities for play and creativity. Learning stations include literary, scientific, art, and other interest areas with activities catered to diverse developmental stages. Soft rugs and cushions provide comfortable seating that encourages children to gather for group activities or quiet play. 

Opportunities for imaginative play abound throughout Gan’s outdoor spaces, with play structures, pretend play areas, an herb garden, and toys designed to promote running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and riding. 

    

Sat, June 14 2025 18 Sivan 5785