Yeshiva University in New York City has announced a $5 million gift from philanthropist Anita Zucker to establish the Anita Zucker Program for Jewish Early Childhood Educators. 

The gift will provide scholarships to qualified Yeshiva University undergraduate students who wish to pursue careers in Jewish early childhood education as well as sponsor students at the National Association for the Education of Young Children conference, fund a peer-reviewed annual Journal of Early Childhood Jewish Education, and support research fellows from Yeshiva University graduate schools who partner with the center to conduct early childhood education research. 

“Jewish early childhood education is a transformative experience for both young children and their families. It is the foundation for lifelong learning and engagement and can create a powerful bond to both Judaism and the Jewish community,” said Zucker, who chairs the InterTech Group, a South Carolina-based global manufacturing conglomerate. “I am proud to be able to contribute to the advancement of such an important program at Yeshiva University and to the field as a whole.” 

(Photo credit: Yeshiva University)