FERN KATZ, ECE-RJ PRESIDENT
The Board Is Working on A New Organizational Mission and Vision
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It is essential for ECE-RJ to be robust and relevant and to strengthen Jewish Early Childhood Education in congregations across North America. The timing was right for us to look in the mirror and make decisions about who we are, who we are not, and who we should be. [Read more]
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TRICIA GINIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ECE-RJ
Reflecting on This Year's Kallah
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 Soon after the 2022 Virtual Kallah, I found myself sitting in my office with an overwhelming sense of personal and professional fulfillment.
My mind began to wander. I first thought about all the fantastic sessions we offered and was blown away by the caliber of speakers and the amount of information we could cover in such a short time. [Read more]
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FOR CONGREGATIONS
Making Sure My Teachers Are Compensated Fairly
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So when I took over as preschool director, one of my priorities was to make sure the preschool staff did not feel taken advantage of if they discovered how much their peers were making compared to themselves.
The first thing I did in creating a new pay structure was to meet with each teacher and chronicle their experience and educational background. [Read More]
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FOR TEACHERS
Author Shares Ways To Confront Disability Bias
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During the 2022 ECE-RJ Kallah, disability rights activist Emily Ladau provided attendees with tools to help confront disability biases and move beyond low expectations. [Read more]
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ECE-RJ Annual Award Nominations are OPEN!
An important part of our annual plenary meeting is recognizing professionals, lay leaders and early childhood supporters who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to their school/congregation, to the ECE-RJ community, or to the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education at large. The heroes in the work that we do go unsung far too often, so please take a few moments to consider who in your world deserves to be nominated for one of our awards. You can read more about the awards HERE or nominate someone through THIS LINK. The deadline for nominations is 4/12/2022.
We want to celebrate YOU!!! Are you Celebrating a milestone this year?
If you are celebrating (or celebrated) a professional milestone this year, we want to know about it!! It could be a promotion or title change, a significant work anniversary, your retirement, enrollment or graduation, a new innovation in your school or marking something significant in your program. LET US KNOW so we can call it out and celebrate you at our annual plenary. The form takes only 2 minutes to complete: MEMBER MILESTONES
2022 Kallah Recordings NOW AVAILABLE!
If you attended the 2022 ECE-RJ Virtual Kallah, Lishmoa, Lilmod, Lif’ol (Listen, Learn, Act): Creating Responsive Community by Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges, you should have received an email with information on how to access the recordings. If for some reason, you have not received the email, please contact ECE-RJ Executive Director, Tricia Ginis at tginis@urj.org. If you are interested in purchasing access to the recording for yourself or for your school to use for professional learning, please reach out for more information. Recordings are available for $200 for Member Directors/Assistant Directors and for schools to use with their staff for $450.
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CONFERENCE NEWS
Save the Date for the 2022 ECE-RJ IN-PERSON Conference November 2-5, 2022, in San Diego, CA
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As life has changed in the past two years, so have our roles as early childhood educators in our communities. Understanding that the road ahead has many possibilities, we look forward to coming together to RECONNECT, REIMAGINE AND REBOUND with shared purpose and strength.
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
― Brené Brown
By learning together with experts in the field of early childhood education, we can collectively bring about meaningful change that will greatly benefit our schools, communities and the greater Jewish world.
We will:
- Reconnect: with each other, with our inner (spiritual) selves, with our home communities
- Reimagine: congregational/institutional life, curriculum, outdoor programming, supporting resilience in children families and educators, use of technology, professional roles, family programming, building relationships
- Rebound: personal growth, managing stress, communication, moving forward and managing change, planning for the future, building agency in ourselves
Interested in presenting at the conference? Submissions are now being accepted!
Marriott Mission Valley Hotel Information
ECE-RJ 2022 Conference Website
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ECE-RJ CALENDAR
Upcoming Events
Meet Up: The Build Back Better Act In Real Time with Emily Hausman
Date: Feb 28, 2022
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
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ECE-RJ MEMBERSHIP
Membership Rates for July 2022 - June 2023
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As you are doing your budget planning for the coming fiscal year, don’t forget to include ECE-RJ Membership for yourself and your teachers. Click HERE for the Membership Rates for the July 2022-June 2023 dues year.
ECE-RJ is committed to working with directors and schools to make membership accessible to all who are interested. Dues assistance will be available as we approach renewal time.
Questions about joining ECE-RJ? Please reach out to Tricia Ginis, Executive Director at tginis@urj.org for more information.
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STORIES ONLY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS WOULD UNDERSTAND
Tales of Glitter and Glue
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I was in a pre-k classroom sharing the news of the passing of our school pet.
Me: I have some sad news to share.
Pre-k student S - I know, the hamster died.
Pre-k student A - Again?!
Last year we lost another one and pre-k kiddos have long memories!
Sheila Purdin
Director of Early Childhood Education
Temple Sinai Preschool, Denver, CO
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