RJ Blog

I recently returned from the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE) conference. The theme of the conference was Project-Based Learning, a methodology in which participants go through a process of inquiry in response to a complex real-world question, problem, or challenge. Ron Berger, an expert on Project-Based Learning and keynote speaker, shared an example from his practice. His community discovered that some of their well water was contaminated. Instead of bringing in an outside testing service, Berger trained elementary students to do the testing themselves. Many issues emerged at the conference that have implications for the work of engaging youth, [...]

by Rabbi Micah Lapidus “Contemporary Jewish education has the task of creating the very society of which it should be the reflection.” -Israel Scheffler, Visions of Jewish Education Contemporary Jewish education is a generative endeavor—it’s about creating something that doesn’t yet exist. The “something” that contemporary Jewish education is tasked with creating is nothing less than a new society, or more simply stated, a better (even ideal) world. What aren’t we trying to do?

By Rabbi Jordi Schuster Battis Once upon a time there were three little porcupines who lived in the forest. Their names were Ploni, Almoni, and Horace, and they were very Jewishly educated porcupines indeed. One day, as Almoni was making his way along his favorite forest path, humming “I Had a Little Dreidl” to himself and practicing his best Hanukkah dance, he pirouetted directly into Ploni, who was walking along with his head down, looking most dejected. The two porcupines fell in a heap, and it was only by good fortune that neither of them was stabbed by the other’s quills. [...]

The Union for Reform Judaism is thrilled to announce the launch of three URJ Communities of Practice. Jewish tradition places great emphasis on learning and what it brings to both individuals and the community-at-large. With that in mind, the URJ’s soon-to-be launched Communities of Practice will provide opportunities for congregations with shared concerns and interests in a particular area to study and advance their current strategies. Through participation, congregations will be emboldened to experiment “at home,” pushing the boundaries of their previous efforts while receiving peer support and guidance along the way. Although most communities of practice will learn, experiment [...]

By Sari Luck Schneider Q: What does early engagement look like for families and children with special needs? A: We say, “special needs children” in our country. In the part of Italy famous for its outstanding early childhood programming and family involvement, Reggio Emilia, people say, “special rights children.” I like that. Some children need more support than others as they begin life and the people in Reggio Emilia say they have a right to get special considerations. Our Torah teaches us that all people are created in God’s image. We want the children and families in our community to [...]

By Sari Luck Schneider The perpetual question of how to keep our children and their families in our congregation after bar/bat mitzvah should be looked at in a different way. Let’s ask instead, how can our temples’ early childhood programs become a gateway to a Jewish community experience that lasts a lifetime? The answer begins when a child is born, and the temple community reaches out to the family to congratulate them and welcome the new child. Ideally, temples should offer early childhood programs for babies with their caretakers, which can provide consistency in the outreach effort, and a chance [...]

The seven phenomenon that Dr. Charles Edelsberg outlines are compelling, astute, and inspirational. Two of the ideas he offers – expanding the concept of education and focusing on relationships – are key ingredients in excellent early childhood education. We agree wholeheartedly with his vision and differ on only one point: The future he describes does not require prognostication and prediction, because the future is now. Dr. Edelsberg advises that we move beyond the concept of schooling in our thinking about Jewish education. Early childhood education lends itself naturally to a broader view of this idea. We see our students as [...]

I share Dr. Charles Edelsberg’s trepidations about making predictions, especially when it comes to the curriculum – in its broadest sense – of Reform Jewish education. With dramatic changes underway in both the American and Jewish communal landscapes, it would seem folly to make statements for which one might be held accountable. And yet, because we are at a point in history when, as they say, “change is the new constant,” it is a question that must be addressed. Indeed all learning, and most especially Jewish learning, needs to be relevant to the student— from the very youngest to those [...]

“Not living our Judaism while expecting our children to develop an attachment to it is like being an art lover who expects her children also to love art even though she doesn’t bring them to museums or teach them art history or create artwork with them.  Like dedication to art or anything else, Judaism is not genetically coded for replication…being Jewish involves education, experience, and commitment.”  (Yosef Ambramowitz) Parents spend a lot of time thinking about, planning, and implementing parenting strategies.  To say that the plethora of enrichment opportunities for kids and the mountains of advice on how to help [...]

by Emily Aronoff Teck I have the unique privilege of living a life beyond my wildest dreams as an early childhood Jewish music educator. I couldn’t imagine a better career. I sing, dance and play for living – then I get snacks and hugs and go home. I find my work enjoyable, challenging and important. I didn’t start my professional life with these goals in mind, but I resolutely believe that my role in the early engagement of young families with a Judaism that is developmentally appropriate to each member is an important role in the future of an active [...]

by Goldie Bear and Izzy Bear Hello, there! We’re Goldie and Izzy, two of the URJ’s 13 Traveling Mitzvah Bears. Maybe you remember hearing about us last October? That’s when we headed out into the world with our 11 bear friends – Bernie, Benny, Hannah, Herbie, Lily, Moishe, Oscar, Rose, Sadie, Saul and Sylvia – to visit congregations’ early childhood education centers. Our goal was to teach young children the importance of doing mitzvot (good deeds) and the value of hachnasat orchim (hospitality/welcoming the guest.) We’re back in New York now, but you can see a bunch of the photos [...]

By Catherine Rosing In September of 2011, 12 adorable stuffed bears departed from the URJ New York offices. Known as the “Traveling Mitzvah Bears,” the bears will visit more than 100 URJ Early Childhood Centers in congregations located throughout the United States and Canada, helping young children learn about the Jewish value of Hachnasat Orchim – hospitality/welcoming the guest. Learn more and see photos of bears’ travels. By the time Izzy the Mitzvah Bear arrived at Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Ga., the preschool students had already left for the day. Luckily, our Road to Confirmation high schoolers – many [...]

by Emilia Diamant Sheila Goldberg David Sherman Fran Niberg Todd Markley Rachael Bregman David Wolfman These are only six of many Jewish educators who shaped me during my formative years. They taught me at Sunday School, in youth group, in my Hebrew High School program, as Principals, and as mentors. They are people who I see now at URJ Biennials, when I go to Shabbat services at my home congregation, or as they post on Facebook. I may be in touch with them regularly or rarely, by email or through my parents. What ties them all together is that I [...]

by Louise Van Schaack “Who is Elijah?” five-year-old Hannah asked me when she arrived at pre-school a few weeks ago. She’d recently received a copy of The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman from the PJ Library, and the book had piqued her interest.  She wanted to know more.