Donor Spotlight: Meet the Eiflers!
Miranda and Andrew Eifler have lived in the Crest neighborhood of Tarrytown since 2015. They joined the J shortly after moving here, and have sent their sons Jack, 5, and Graham, 3, to the Children’s Garden Center, Early Childhood Program, River Friends Summer Camp, and swimming lessons. Baby Willa (6 months) will join the ECP when she turns two. We spoke with them about their experiences with the J, and wishes for its future.
How has the J impacted your life here?
The J has helped us put down roots in the community. When we moved to Tarrytown from Brooklyn, we knew very few people in the area. Since having kids and enrolling in the J’s early childhood programs, we’ve met amazing families in the area who have become close friends.
What do you love about living in the Rivertowns? About the J?
There is an amazing sense of community here. We’ve met so many like-minded people (now our closest friends) who share our values, are fun to be around and (bonus) have kids the same ages as ours. Being close to the city and all that it has to offer is also a plus. We love that the J is an extension of this community, and that we have a place nearby for our kids to learn more about their Jewish faith (Andrew is Jewish and as a blended family, we are raising our kids Jewish).
Why did you choose to support the J?
Supporting the J means investing in our kids‘ early learning, ensuring they have a safe and fun place to establish a love of learning, meet their first friends, and learn more about their Jewish roots.
Do you have a favorite story about the J?
When we sent Jack to the 4’s program at ECP in the fall of 2020, we candidly didn’t know what to expect. He’d just spent several months quarantining, and he was going to a new school with masks and new faces. We thought we’d be lucky if we’d make it to Halloween before school shut down again due to Covid. Miraculously, ECP remained open for the entire year, Jack’s class didn’t have a single closure/quarantine, and — most importantly — Jack had an amazing last year of preschool.
What do you wish other people knew about the J?
It’s more than a gym and preschool–it’s a place to find and build community.
What would you say to someone considering making a donation to the J?
With new management and a fresh vision, the J is well-positioned to become the cultural center of the Rivertowns. What is today the nicest gym and preschool in the area is just the beginning. The upcoming plans to develop the unfinished space and expand program offerings will ensure there’s something for everyone at the J. How could you say no to being part of that?
What is something surprising about each of you that people might not know?
Miranda owns her own business offering content marketing and copywriting services to tech companies and entrepreneurs. Andrew is a hobbyist jeweler and minored in metalsmithing in college.
