Jewish Early Childhood Educators Take the Lead in Their Own Growth
March 17, 2010
Community | Youth and Family Life
(4 comments)
by the ECE-RJ Communications Committee
Recently, forty-nine educators from URJ congregations across the United States came together for the tenth annual conference of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), Take the Lead In Your Own Growth: A Leadership Intensive, held March 7-9, 2010 in Dallas Texas.
For two and a half inspiring days, the group focused on how early childhood centers within the Reform movement discover and express their core ideals and values in many areas of early childhood administration, from building a vision of community to the importance of the budget process. We considered challenges and issues in our field and studied innovative program ideas. The conference scholar-in-residence was Lyndall Miller, Director of Jewish Early Childhood Education and the Legacy Heritage Institute for Jewish Early Childhood Educators, at Gratz College in Elkins Park, PA.
 The intensive began Sunday afternoon with a gathering to welcome Panim Chadoshot (New Faces) after which we immediately immersed ourselves into an enriching session considering the topic, "How can Havdalah help us understand the various aspects that go into being a leader in a Jewish early childhood program?"
Temple Shalom welcomed us on Monday. The inspiring discussion began with "directing the light of the Jewish image of the child," and continued with consideration of how environments impact young children. On Tuesday, we were hosted by Temple Emanu-El, and engaged in discussions about the importance of directors as professional staff members of our synagogues. We explored the concept of teaming with teachers and parents as we deepened our understanding of the integral roles we play as directors. The closing ceremony was filled with ruach as we reflected on the wealth of information and introspection we had obtained with our colleagues.
The Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), are the newest professional affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism. ECE-RJ represents professionals in all fields of Reform Jewish early childhood education, serving as a voice for educators, guiding synagogue leaders by offering them the most current information about the benefits of early childhood education and engagement  for congregations and young families. In addition ECE-RJ in partnership with the URJ, provides useful guidelines for its members and their extended communities about salaries, contracts, benefits, and opportunities for lifelong learning. ECE-RJ sponsors an annual opportunity for professional growth and development open to directors, teachers and others who are dedicated to the vision of early childhood education.
See also: the Union's Early Childhood Education resources.
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I wasn't there. I just read your mail. I am a proud grandmom who wants to thank all who touch our children's learning and contribute to their development. I see the results of your nurturing at the time of Bar and Bat Mitzvah. I am in the possession of the speech my grandson gave last Shabbat that made such an impression on me I have reread it four times. If you also care to read it, just ask. spa@sandphil.com
Sandi