CONGREGATION WORKS TO SAVE JEWISH SCHOOL; FACILITY LOSES LEASE, FACES DEBT.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Members of Congregation B'nai Emet are fighting to save the beleaguered Simi Valley Jewish Community Center Preschool, which has lost its lease and sponsor and is burdened by a $50,000 debt.

Volunteers are soliciting donations and seeking a new site for the preschool, which they say instills in their youngsters an appreciation for Jewish culture.

``When I heard that the plan was to shut the school in June, that just was completely unacceptable,'' said parent Nancy Micon, who heads the committee to find a new location. ``I think the preschool is essential. It's more than just teaching. It's experiencing the Jewish culture.

``The children are experiencing what it is to live as a Jew, and that's an experience that's hard to find in Simi Valley.''

The preschool has operated for 11 years at the former Belwood Elementary School on Kadota Street, with a month-to-month lease for the past two years.

That tenuous agreement came to an end in January, when the Simi Valley school board decided to sell the building. The Jewish preschool, as well as Happy Acre Preschool and Building Blocks were all told to vacate the premises by June 30.

About the same time, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Los Angeles withdrew support of the 55-student school, citing financial concerns, according to Karen Blufer, president of the preschool's board of directors.

``We lost our director this year, then we lost our lease - that was the last straw,'' she said. ``In JCC's defense, if we're able to continue the school without interruption, they're giving us everything - tables and chairs and supplies.''

Andy Weinstein, president of Congregation B'nai Emet, is seeking donations to fund the school's $280,000 annual budget.

``Our most pressing item right now is a site. If we don't have a site, nobody's going to give us funds on a hope,'' he said. ``But everybody we have talked to in the temple has said we must not let this die.''

Blufer said dwindling enrollment is largely the reason for the deficit. About two years ago the school served 95 students, compared to 55 now enrolled. She said some parents took their children out of the school because of the uncertain nature of the lease at Belwood.

Also, as tuition receipts diminished, the $2,500 per month rent became difficult to pay.

``Our overhead is higher than it should be for our enrollment,'' she said.

Weinstein said he believes the deficit can be retired by increasing enrollment, which he said is not impossible considering the size of the Jewish community.

Although about 8,000 Jews live in Simi Valley, only about 50 families send children to the school, he said. About 120 families attend the temple at 4645 Industrial St.

``We've got to get the word out,'' he said. ``A lot of people aren't even aware that there is a temple in Simi Valley.''

Jack Mayer - executive director of the Greater Los Angeles Jewish Federation, which funds some JCC programs - said his organization is working with members of Congregation B'nai Emet.

``We have a clear interest in trying to be helpful to them,'' he said. ``It's vital to be offering Jewish preschool programs. It helps children build their identity and begin at an early age to explore Jewish religion and cultural traditions. We place a very high priority on that.''

Micon said an ideal setting for the preschool would be a small house on a couple of acres. But she has talked to several Christian pastors about renting temporary space in local churches.

``I was very touched by their being so embracing of us,'' she said.

As the search for a new space continues, parents and congregation members like Cathy Weinstein, Andy's wife, are doing all they can to strengthen the ties that bind school and synagogue.

``We've made announcements. We've got a committee who are helping with the relocation efforts. And we co-sponsored a Purim carnival,'' she said. ``We want to make sure there's continuity. If the temple doesn't do it, I don't think the preschool will survive.''