The Charlotte Jewish News- December 2025- Page 18
A Place to Play, Learn, and Grow: CJP Unveils Vision for New Outdoor Learning Village
By Rachel Welber
Charlotte Jewish Preschool( CJP) has announced the launch of a campaign to transform its current playground into a new outdoor learning village— a space designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection for generations to come.
For years, CJP has been known for its warm, nurturing classrooms and powerful sense of community. Now, the preschool is extending that same spirit beyond its walls, creating an expansive outdoor environment that will benefit not only CJP students but the entire Shalom Park community.
“ Our dream is to create a dynamic environment that reflects how children learn best— through play, imagination, and connection,” shared Becca Green, CJP’ s Executive Director.“ Outdoor learning is essential to helping children grow socially, emotionally, and physically. This project will take what we already do so well inside our classrooms and bring it to life in new, exciting ways.”
This effort is about more than simply building a playground— it’ s an investment in the future of Jewish life in Charlotte. The new outdoor learning village will strengthen the heart of Shalom Park, creating a welcoming and engaging play area for the next generation of families who call it their second home— and their Jewish home. By nurturing a place where children, parents, and grandparents can gather, this important initiative helps sustain the community at the heart of Jewish Charlotte— allowing it to thrive for generations to come.
“ This is truly an investment in our children’ s future,” says Rachel Reifkind, CJP Board President.“ CJP has long been a cornerstone of early Jewish education in Charlotte, NC, and this project builds on that legacy. Together, we’ re creating an incredibly special destination where children can learn and play— and remain surrounded by what makes CJP so special: its joyful spirit, its commitment to education, and its enormous heart.”
The design, inspired by CJP’ s Reggio Emilia philosophy, will include natural play areas and sensory gardens. It will also feature an outdoor classroom for music, art, and science exploration. Modern, inclusive playground equipment, paired with improved shade and softer surfaces, will make it more comfortable, engaging, and accessible for children of all ages and teachers alike.
While the playground is primarily a CJP space, its reach extends well beyond preschool. The Levine JCC’ s
JTOTS program, Camp Katan, and Temple Beth El’ s Sunday School regularly make use of the playground during their programs. When school is not in session, it remains open for the entire community to enjoy— a shared resource that truly reflects the collaborative spirit of Shalom Park.
“ This is about building a kehillah, namely, a community where every family feels a sense of belonging,” added Becca Green, CJP Executive Director.“ We want this to be a flourishing corner of Shalom Park where generations gather, where Jewish values are lived, and where the seeds of our future are planted and can bloom.”
For longtime members of the greater Charlotte Jewish community, supporting this campaign is an opportunity to strengthen the very foundation, which has sustained Jewish life for decades. And this new outdoor learning village will help ensure it remains a hub where families grow, connect, and celebrate together for generations to come.
To learn more about this transformative campaign— years in the making and rooted in the heart of Shalom Park— contact Becca Green, Executive Director, at becca. green @ charlottejewishpreschool. org or visit charlottejewishpreschool. org / annual-fund.