Violetta Levina and Iana Nikolskaia are the co-founders of a wonderful preschool called Shining Stars Academy. We’ve had the privilege of providing Violetta and Iana with two interest-free business loans to help them grow Shining Stars, which serves children ages 0 – 5 years in a Montessori-based program that combines academics, music, movement, arts, and cultural learning.
Both women are university-trained teachers with strong backgrounds in Jewish education and childcare. Their first loan helped them expand the original school in San Francisco’s Sunset district from four to twelve children. More recently, they received a loan to open an additional site in Marin County, where they’ll start enrolling children in June 2026.
“Hebrew Free Loan gave us more than financial support. They believed in us and gave us the opportunity to turn our dreams into reality. We are deeply grateful to Hebrew Free Loan for helping us build not only a thriving school that’s a second home for families, but a stronger and more caring community.”
When you look at the pictures on their website, it’s clear that Violetta and Iana are achieving their goal of offering a warm, inclusive preschool environment where children from different backgrounds grow and learn while experiencing Jewish culture and traditions.
These two women show what’s so special about our interest-free Business Loan Program. Our business loans offer people the chance to do something they love, earn a living for their families, provide jobs for others, and serve the community, all at the same time. And in Violetta and Iana’s case, they’re also creating a special place where possibility flourishes and children thrive.
