Early Childhood Programs (Shorashim & Ganeinu)
Congregation Beth Shalom, 1455 Elm Street, Napa, CA 94559
About
Early Childhood Programs (Shorashim & Ganeinu) include lively music and movement with fun Jewish themes, interactive music and movement, and engaging Jewish storytelling. The programs also include holiday celebrations and community building activities.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Shorashim meets on Sundays from 9:30–10:15 am, and Ganeinu meets on Sundays from 9:30 am–12:00 noon throughout the school year
• Price: Shorashim is free for members, and $18 per family per session for non-members
The Early Childhood Program uses the mission statement “Planting Jewish Roots Together: We’re building a strong Jewish foundation for our youngest learners and their families. Teaching your children is both a commandment and a joyful journey.” Shorashim is a grown-up-and-me program for ages 0 through 2 and was established by the late Art Finkelstein in honor of his granddaughters, Talulah and Ruby. Ganeinu is a drop-off program for age 3 through Kindergarten, and it is part of a broader education program that also includes a Comprehensive Religious School serving children from Transitional Kindergarten through seventh grade, guidance for students in grades 6 and 7 toward their B’nei Mitzvah, and enriching opportunities for teens to stay connected beyond B’nei Mitzvah.
The Early Childhood Programs (Shorashim & Ganeinu) are part of Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley, which is led by Senior Rabbi Niles Goldstein and Music Director Gordon Lustig. Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley began during World War II as “The Napa Jewish Group,” formally organized as Congregation Beth Sholom in 1953, renovated its sanctuary in 1963, added a swimming pool in the early 1970s, voted to affiliate with the Reform movement in 2002, hired its first-ever full-time Rabbi in 2003, hired a part-time cantorial soloist later in 2003 whose combined duties became a full-time position, remodeled a building on the premises in 2003 to house administrative offices and the Rabbi’s study, and completed its new synagogue building in 2014. The new synagogue building incorporates wooden beams from the original Chamber of Commerce building into the entryway, and its Ark and Ner Tamid are modeled after those from the 1963 sanctuary.
Congregation Beth Shalom is the only synagogue in Napa County. It is a member of the Napa Interfaith Council, a founding member of The Table food assistance program, and has a partnership with Shearer School to support literacy in the neighborhood. Camp Chaverim day camp, connected with the congregation, has long been a summer highlight for kids of all faiths. Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage by Donna Mendelsohn and Henry Michalski includes a permanent exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville celebrating the Jewish community’s contributions to the region.
Last updated June 7, 2026.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Shorashim meets on Sundays from 9:30–10:15 am, and Ganeinu meets on Sundays from 9:30 am–12:00 noon throughout the school year
• Price: Shorashim is free for members, and $18 per family per session for non-members
The Early Childhood Program uses the mission statement “Planting Jewish Roots Together: We’re building a strong Jewish foundation for our youngest learners and their families. Teaching your children is both a commandment and a joyful journey.” Shorashim is a grown-up-and-me program for ages 0 through 2 and was established by the late Art Finkelstein in honor of his granddaughters, Talulah and Ruby. Ganeinu is a drop-off program for age 3 through Kindergarten, and it is part of a broader education program that also includes a Comprehensive Religious School serving children from Transitional Kindergarten through seventh grade, guidance for students in grades 6 and 7 toward their B’nei Mitzvah, and enriching opportunities for teens to stay connected beyond B’nei Mitzvah.
The Early Childhood Programs (Shorashim & Ganeinu) are part of Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley, which is led by Senior Rabbi Niles Goldstein and Music Director Gordon Lustig. Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley began during World War II as “The Napa Jewish Group,” formally organized as Congregation Beth Sholom in 1953, renovated its sanctuary in 1963, added a swimming pool in the early 1970s, voted to affiliate with the Reform movement in 2002, hired its first-ever full-time Rabbi in 2003, hired a part-time cantorial soloist later in 2003 whose combined duties became a full-time position, remodeled a building on the premises in 2003 to house administrative offices and the Rabbi’s study, and completed its new synagogue building in 2014. The new synagogue building incorporates wooden beams from the original Chamber of Commerce building into the entryway, and its Ark and Ner Tamid are modeled after those from the 1963 sanctuary.
Congregation Beth Shalom is the only synagogue in Napa County. It is a member of the Napa Interfaith Council, a founding member of The Table food assistance program, and has a partnership with Shearer School to support literacy in the neighborhood. Camp Chaverim day camp, connected with the congregation, has long been a summer highlight for kids of all faiths. Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage by Donna Mendelsohn and Henry Michalski includes a permanent exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville celebrating the Jewish community’s contributions to the region.
Last updated June 7, 2026.
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