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Twenty Years Ago the ECE-RJ Journey Began

Twenty Years Ago the ECE-RJ Journey Began

Twenty Years Ago the ECE-RJ Journey Began

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 20 years since I traveled to New York to participate in the first gathering of early childhood professionals who directed Reform congregational early childhood centers throughout North America (in those days, many were referred to as “nursery schools/pre-schools”).  

Each one of us accepted an invitation from the senior leadership of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to attend a two-day convening to determine whether or not there was enough of a “need” to support directors working in our congregations. 

In looking back to that cold winter in 2000, I am quite certain that none us imagined the gathering would be the beginning of a rich and meaningful journey filled with discovery, inquiry and tremendous professional growth for ourselves and for the field of Early Childhood Jewish Education.  

As we began our journey, our challenges seemed insurmountable! From our low salaries and nonexistent benefits to the lack of awareness on the part of many of our congregational leaders, the realm of tasks seemed overwhelming and impossible to begin, let alone complete.

As John Dewey teaches us, “we do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.” From the beginning, the leadership and members of ECE-RJ have been guided by a shared vision of excellence. Collectively we focus on the image of the child and keep the family at the center of our sacred work every day.

Our ongoing reflective practice ensues we nourish our children while providing the support our families need to navigate the complexities of their lives.

This shared vision of excellence continues to help me and all of my ECE-RJ colleagues throughout North America get through the hard times, put disagreements in perspective, and most importantly, keep reflecting on how best to do our work in building a whole, just and compassionate world.

 

Cathy Rolland
Director, Families with Young Children
Union for Reform Judaism