Download our Introductory Brochures
ChefLab Tzaharon is a private daily afternoon program which offers an integrated Montessori style and sensory focused model of purposeful play through art, language, and cultural studies. At ChefLab, we educate the whole child and develop a curriculum that supports each individual child’s cognitive, emotional, moral, and social development.
Children reach our care excited to see their friends (and possibly “hangry”!) Once they get sustenance in their bellies they are directed into separate Tzaharon groups: Lower Elementary(K/1) and Upper Elementary (Grades 2-5) where they are given clear guidelines to help transition from one academic structure to another.
What to Expect
A comprehensive Social, emotional, cultural and intellectual education
Our key objective is to provide a safe, empowering and enriching environment for your child. We believe that children deserve an integrated education philosophy and engage our students in English language, art, history, science and Judiac studies.
ChefLab combines innovative methodologies and tools that activate the senses. Guided by Montessori style education and materials, and implementing our own sense-based approach to learning, we encourage learning through exploration and allow for freedom within limitation.
In addition to our academic curriculum, we have developed and integrated a mindfulness curriculum lead by a certified child’s yoga/mindfulness coach – focusing primarily on children’s social-emotional needs.
Classroom model:
Teaching and Learning at ChefLab is student centered. SCI (student-centered instruction) focuses on skills and practices that enable lifelong learning and independent problem-solving. Using ChefLab’s integrative and sense-based approach to learning, students are able to better comprehend, compartmentalize and internalize the world of information by which they are surrounded. We strive to develop learner independence by providing skills for how to learn and supporting students to create their own road map toward success.
ChefLab materials are explored through whole group, small group, and individual activities. We use mixed age groups, placing children into leadership roles and supporting children to learn from their peers. These mixed age groups enable us to support children’s development based on their abilities as opposed to age or grade level.
Guide each child along their individual path. Proverbs 22.6
individuality within community
ChefLab welcomes and supports all beliefs and practices
We strive to create a community where diversity is a chance to learn, and empathy replaces judgement. We are a community of warmth, confidence, and understanding. We learn to get in touch with ourselves so that we can accept others.
Regardless of skill sets, beliefs, or religious and national affiliation, we seek to learn from each other, share with one another and respect the unique qualities that makes us each special.
“There is no I in team, but there is an I in win”. – Michael Jordan
In other words: To be responsible, keep your promises to others. To be successful, keep your promises to yourself.
As individuals we see it as our responsibility to know who your children are , how they learn, and what they need. As a community, the ChefLab learning experience is designed to support and challenge each-other as part of a team through peer communication and individual responsibility.
work and play
reinforcing positive behavior and language during independent play
Peaceful. Responsible. Considerate. Aware. Respectful. Cooperative. Kind. Caring. Perseverance. Compromise.
These are words the children learn to apply during their independent work-time. When a child notices a friend behaving accordingly, they place their name in our “fish bowl”. At the end of each week we go fishing!
Our students learn to be intentional, patient and self-reflective. They make choices and take responsibility for their own learning and their materials while being respectful and aware of their environment.
never stop learning because
life never stops teaching
children carry the past, present, and future
a lesson a day
from Monet to JFK
Art. Geography. Science. History and Jewish Tradition.
ChefLab Tzaharon implements an academically challenging curriculum in a calm and intentional environment. At ChefLab we work hard to strike a balance between academic rigor and respecting the pace of an individual child’s development. To be a ChefLab educator is to invest fully in creating interested people who are passionate about learning.
Our curriculum covers famous artists and their unique styles, famous world landmarks and state flags. It explores the timeline of Jewish history as we learn the source of our holidays and get to know our ancestors. We will engage our imagination in famous mythology and ALWAYS engage our senses to explore the world around us – it’s science.
While ChefLab at it’s core is a science based program, we do not disregard or disrespect creationism in any way. At ChefLab Tzaharon, every unit is woven into another to form a web that supports a child’s innate drive to find meaning in life. This is manifested through a progressive Jewish and holistic curriculum in which students become attuned to the interconnectedness of all things.
Judaic Studies
A Progressive Education for a Diverse Community
ChefLab Tzaharon is committed to a non-denominational Jewish education that is responsive to the needs of a diverse community. We encourage participation in an inclusive society and welcome diversity through exposure to a wealth of values, traditions and cultures around us.
ChefLab models the faculties of curiosity, tolerance and cultural sensitivity. Our curriculum offers a broad range of interpretations of Jewish texts and explores comprehensive thoughts on traditions developed over the course of Jewish history that are dynamic, vibrant, and in constant dialogue with modern values and ideas.
Our goal is to foster a strong sense of Jewish pride and communal responsibility (ahavat yisrael) along with an affinity to all people and a commitment to social justice (ahavat olam). Moreover, we work daily to instill in our children a deeply held respect for the environment and a devoted awareness to the needs of our planet (tikun olam).
Combining Torah Learning
With Secular Studies
A mutual enriching interdisciplinary learning experience that encourages drawing moral insights and religious guidance from both disciplines.
write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow - lawrence clark powell
English language arts
Language can be spoken, heard, written, and read.
Our initial focus of the Language area is to set up a purpose for learning literacy skills by providing exposure to print in the environment, introducing parts of speech, reading to children and engaging in sensorial writing activities. The children will practice letter recognition: identifying name and sound, writing upper and lowercase letters in correct formation, rhyming and word families (cvc words).
Elementary aged students focus on building foundational skills for becoming lifelong learners who have a deep love of reading and writing. Along with broad exposure to literature across genres, we use an individualized approach to develop skills in word study. We work with the children to develop the foundational tools necessary to be effective readers and writers while incorporating appropriate writing skills – such as encoding using inventive spelling, writing with proper grammar and spelling patterns, and fluently reading and writing sight words.
extra curriculars
special Chugim every day
Placing a valued focus on mindfulness and self expression, we welcome extra curricular activities such as yoga, art and english to join our learning fun! Our groups of 15 children are lead by four teachers including one tone keeper at all times.
As part of our chugim, bringing together all five senses in the kitchen, children develop their cooking skills by preparing a food related to what they are studying – classic ChefLab style.
Let's get cooking!
IT 'AINT ChefLab Without The Chef(s)
meals
Hot lunch every day
ChefLab meals are kosher and vegetarian. Our proteins are dairy, fish or plant based. Both Tzaharon groups are welcomed together with a hot nutritious meal made up of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Our vegetarian menu will interrelate with our focus on cultural studies. Each day of the week is dedicated to a different cuisine from around the globe.
the small print
Tzaharon hours are Sunday-Thursday *13:30 -16:30 and includes pick-up from select locations within Tel-Aviv. The 2024/25 year runs September 1st – July 14th not including school holidays.
ChefLab runs exclusive day camps during school holidays (Sukkot, Chanuka, and Pesach) to which Tzaharon members are entitled to an introductory 15% discount and given priority on a first-come first-served basis.
*pick up begins at 13:30 Tzaharon begins at 14:00.