OUR TEAM

“It takes a big heart to shape little minds.”

Bracha Paltiel

Executive Director

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Bracha spent close to every weekend and summer since high school as a counselor in camps and running children’s programs. With a degree specializing early childhood education she started her career in the preschool classroom. After teaching for 9 years, in 2022 Bracha and her husband, Berel, moved to Philadelphia to open Chabad of Fishtown and Northern Liberties with the intention of creating a warm and non-judgemental space to explore Judaism in the Fishtown area. Since its inception and through Bracha and Berel's vision, Chabad of Fishtown and Northern Liberties has flourished. Bracha created many creative programs and events for families with young children, which were attended by hundreds.

The many preschool requests coupled with Bracha’s strong desire to open a full-time early childhood education center bore “Little Lights Preschool”. She envisioned a place that would instill in its children the knowledge of their inherent value. She envisioned a preschool that is more like a family, a giant hug. She wanted to create a community where parents support each other and celebrate.

Bracha’s favorite thing is seeing a child’s face light up when they are helping a friend. She is always expanding her knowledge of early childhood education and is constantly observing, reading and researching to understand these amazing people we call children.