"Gan Chaya Esther Preschool" (Garden of Chaya Esther) is dedicated in the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Esther obm Zaltzman, (Mother of our Rebbetzin & Preschool Director, Mrs Rivka Sirota) a righteous woman who was tragically taken, on Yom Kippur Eve 2004, in a horrific car accident. Rebbetzin Zaltzman OBM dedicated her life to Jewish growth, pride, and Continuity. Under the Communist Russian Regime Being a Practicing Jew was almost impossible. Raising a religious Family under the careful eye of the secret Russian police was no easy task & required utter self-sacrifice. This did not deter Rebbetzin Zaltzman obm. She made sure there Was a Shabbos, a Passover, a Chanukah, a Torah, & even kosher meat, but most important was her battle for Jewish Education.

For Jewish education/continuity she knew no bounds, making sure to raise a completely observant family in Communist Russia wasn't enough. She would open a "underground" yeshiva enabling kids of all ages to secretly attend, learn, & take pride in their Rich heritage. Products of this "Underground activity" are dozens of Rabbis, their Families, and Communities across the Globe. After coming to America her passion to spread Judaism continued as she & Rabbi Berel Zaltzman ( May he live & be well) served as emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to the Jewish Russian Communities of Greater Los Angeles, later serving the Jewish Russian Community of Fair-lawn, NJ both physically & spiritually.

It is in the legacy of this special Woman that we dedicate our Preschool. With the dream & vision of Rebbetzin Zaltzman obm that Jewish Education, pride, and continuity come to fruition, a true Garden. It is in the walls of GCEP that kids will inherit a pride & sense of feeling of what it means to be a Jew.