Brooke Pertnoy is the Director of the Barbara & Jack Kay Early Childhood Learning Center at the Mandel JCC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  

I was born and raised in Florida. My dad is Jewish, and my mom converted when they got married — though she still celebrated Christmas, so in some ways, we were a mixed-faith household. 

I went on Birthright about 20 years ago, when I was 21. It was a unique trip, actually — a combined March of the Living and Birthright Israel trip, led by my uncle, who’s long been involved with the program. I went with my cousins and their friends from Miami. 

But I didn’t want to go. I had a boyfriend at the time and remember crying at dinner, begging my dad not to make me do it. I was young, anxious about traveling, and didn’t want to be away from home for two weeks. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how reluctant I was — because that trip changed my life. 

We started with March of the Living, visiting concentration camps. It was heartbreaking. You grow up learning about the Holocaust — reading about it, hearing the stories — but standing in those places was profound. It was painful, but necessary. It made me feel how vital education is in making sure history never repeats itself. 

Then we flew to Israel. I’ll never forget the sense of relief — like stepping into light after darkness. Suddenly we were surrounded by resilience and renewal. I remember thinking: Look what the Jewish people have built. Look what we’ve overcome. It felt like moving from devastation to hope. 

In Israel, I fell in love — with the land, the people, the feeling of being part of something larger. There’s this deep sense of belonging, of family, of home. It’s hard to describe, but it stays with you. 

I pushed myself in ways I didn’t expect. I climbed Masada despite feeling anxious. I faced challenges and came out stronger, more grounded, and more connected to my Jewish identity. 

There wasn’t a single moment when I thought, I want to work in Jewish education. But the trip opened my eyes. It reminded me what matters. 

Soon after I returned, I graduated college and started teaching at the JCC preschool in Palm Beach Gardens. That was 15 years ago. I worked my way up, and for the past six years, I’ve been the director. Today, I oversee nine classrooms, 115 children, and 25 incredible teachers. I support staff, guide families, shape curriculum, and lead Shabbat and holiday singalongs. 

My Jewish upbringing and my love for performance both shape the work I do. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were deeply involved in Jewish life — from Federation and JCC boards to Birthright Israel. They instilled in me the importance of our heritage. Now, I get to pass that on. 

I’m a single mom, and my four-year-old daughter has grown up in our school. She started at just three months old. I remember seeing her in her boppy seat during Shabbat, surrounded by other babies. It brings tears to my eyes. She’s learning what it means to be part of a Jewish community — and that’s a gift. 

Even before I had a child, this work meant the world to me. Our school is diverse — not all the families are Jewish — but Jewish values are universal: kindness, gratitude, community. We’re giving children a foundation that will shape who they become. 

Every Friday, I stand at the Shabbat table, leading prayers, watching the room fill with families and light. I get emotional nearly every time. Yes, the work is difficult — there are sick kids, staffing issues, daily challenges — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

And I truly believe Birthright brought me here. It planted a seed that led me to this path. 

If someone is unsure about going on Birthright, I’d share my story. I almost didn’t go — but it turned out to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It deepened my Jewish identity and inspired the career I have today. 

And if someone is on the fence about donating, I’d say: Not everyone gets this chance. Not everyone can afford it. But every young Jew should have the opportunity to feel that sense of connection — to our history, to Israel, to each other. That feeling lasts a lifetime. 

I’m so grateful I had that chance. And I’m proud that every day, I get to give back. 

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