On a warm spring morning, the Torah Academy community gathered to mark a momentous occasion: the ribbon-cutting of Gan Torah, the school’s new Early Education Center located at 60 Henshaw Street in Brighton. Held on May 18th, the event celebrated not only the opening of the beautifully renovated center, but the power of partnership between families, local government, and community leaders.
The newly completed first floor now welcomes 26 children ages 15 months to 3 years, across three bright, thoughtfully designed classrooms. In attendance were Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, State Senator William Brownsberger, State Representative Kevin Honan, and City Councilor Liz Breadon, as well as Torah Academy leadership, donors, educators, and community members.
Mayor Wu, who attended with her infant daughter nestled on her shoulder, spoke passionately about the citywide priority of expanding access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education. Gan Torah was one of more than 60 early education centers opened across Boston in the past year. “The need for affordable daycare affects every neighborhood and every community,” she said. “Today, we’re not just opening a daycare center, we’re investing in the future of our city.”
“The need for affordable daycare affects every neighborhood and every community,”
Mayor Michelle Wu
“Gan Torah is a win for our families, our school, and for the city and state,” reflected Torah Academy Executive Director Rabbi Binyomin Mermelstein. The location carries special meaning for former City Councilor Mark Ciommo, who grew up in the very house that now hosts Gan Torah. He shared how deeply meaningful it is to his family that a home once bustling with eight siblings and cousins, and friends is once again filled with the sounds of children. While the home’s exterior was preserved, its interior has been fully transformed into a warm, functional early childhood center, symbolizing both renewal and continuity. “At least one community leader was raised in this home,” the Mayor remarked. “And we anticipate that many more will flourish here.”
Ahead of her address, Mayor Wu toured the center. She admired the colorful classrooms outfitted with “just-my-size” furniture and sinks—spaces designed for young children. The contrast between the finished first floor and the unfinished second floor was striking. As guests ascended the stairs, they were invited to imagine the completed vision: a fully operational center serving infants and toddlers, providing peace of mind for parents entering the workforce.
In the weeks following the ribbon cutting, donors have stepped forward, enabling construction of the second floor to begin this summer. Once completed, Gan Torah will double its capacity to serve 48 children, helping meet the overwhelming demand for high-quality care. Gan Torah’s mission is deeply rooted in Torah Academy’s values: to nurture the next generation with warmth, structure, and joy. But its impact extends far beyond its walls. In a city of growing diversity and evolving needs, Gan Torah stands as a model of what’s possible when community institutions and civic leaders work hand in hand. As the ribbon was cut, the joy in the air was unmistakable—a celebration not only of a new school, but of what it represents: a community united around children, families, and a shared investment in the future.
