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B'Simcha: Do It With Joy 

Have you ever had the experience of walking into a room full of people that you did not know? I'm sure you have, and you probably felt similarly to the way that I felt walking into my first ECE-RJ Conference last January. Just walking in was daunting. 

It just seemed so overwhelming to have to join a table with people I did not know. I remember thinking that I'd probably spend a lot of time in my hotel room when we weren't in sessions. Meals just seemed a bit too much for me. The anxiety of small talk with strangers, of trying to explain who I was and what I was doing there, felt exhausting before it even began. 

But then something remarkable happened. I sat down, and I realized as soon as I settled into my seat that these were my people. They got me. They understood the role that I was in, the challenges I was facing, the weight I was carrying. No explanation needed. 

Finding My Footing 

I had just stepped into this role as the early childhood director in a Jewish learning center a few months earlier. I had spent years in the classroom, nurturing children, building relationships with families,creating magic in those early learning moments. I loved that work. I had been a director in Head Start for the last four years but this role in Jewish learning had many different aspects.  

The role encompasses so many aspects: staff development, supervision, parent communication, maintaining a deep understanding of early childhood development while also managing HR issues, navigating fundraising conversations, wrestling with budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing facilities, and so much more. I had no idea how overwhelming this would feel. Some days, I wondered if they had chosen the right person for this job. 

I was fortunate enough to attend my first conference last year in Evanston, Illinois, and it was so fulfilling.  I realized the importance of "filling my own bucket" through connection, networking, Judaism, spirituality, and professional learning. I had been pouring from an empty cup for months, trying to be everything to everyone at our school. 

I was so inspired by Shira Kline, who helped weave the theme of last year's conference: Yom Chadash - Imagine the Possibilities. Her music, her joy, her ability to bring us together in song and spirit reminded me why I had chosen this path in the first place. But more than that, I knew that I was with my people—those who were sitting in the very same seat that I was sitting in, understanding the complexities of the role and there to support me as I experienced my first year as a director. 

The conversations over meals (which I had been so nervous about) became lifelines. Someone at my table shared her struggle with a difficult personnel situation, and suddenly I didn't feel alone in mine. Another director talked about the challenge of balancing educational vision with budget realities, and I realized my struggles were not a sign of my inadequacy but rather the universal tension of this work. We laughed together, we problem-solved together, and we prayed together. 

The Gift of Access 

As soon as I saw the theme for this year's conference in Philadelphia—B'Simcha: Do It With Joy – Nurturing Passion and Purpose in Jewish Early Childhood Education—I knew I wanted to attend. After the year I'd had, after the challenges and the growth and the moments of doubt, I needed this. I needed to reconnect with my people, to refill my bucket, to rediscover the joy in this work. 

But here's the reality: we work within a very tight budget. As a new director, I'm acutely aware of every dollar spent and every line item scrutinized. The thought of asking for conference funding felt daunting, especially when there were so many other needs at our school. 

Then I learned that ECE-RJ was able to offer a tiered pricing model, thanks to the WRJ YES Fund grant that they received. I cannot overstate what this meant to me. It made registration easy and accessible. I didn't have to apply for a conference scholarship, which would have required additional time, paperwork, and the vulnerable act of explaining our financial situation in detail. Instead, I was simply able to choose the registration level that worked for our budget. 

It was dignified. It was straightforward. It removed a barrier that would have otherwise kept me from attending. The WRJ YES Fund grant didn't just subsidize registration fees—it affirmed that ECE-RJ truly values making professional development accessible to all Jewish early childhood educators, regardless of the size of their school or their budget constraints. 

Moving Forward B'Simcha 

I have now been through one year in my role. One full cycle of Jewish holidays, program planning, budget seasons, staff evaluations, parent conferences, and all the unexpected challenges that come with leading a Jewish early childhood program. I have so much to be grateful for with the connections I have made through ECE-RJ and the warm welcome that I received at my first conference. 

Those connections sustained me through difficult moments this year. When I faced my first truly challenging parent situation, I connected with the Newish Director group who were able to talk me through it. When I questioned whether I was on the right path, I reached out to colleague I met at the conference, and she reminded me of my strengths and my passion. 

As I am preparing to attend this year's conference in Philadelphia, I'm not overwhelmed at all, but rather, excited. I'm ready to walk into that room full of people and know that they are my people. I'm ready to learn, to grow, to be challenged, and yes, to do it all b'simcha—with joy. 

The WRJ YES Fund grant made this possible for me and for so many other educators who serve communities with limited resources. It's more than financial support; it's an investment in our leadership, our growth, and ultimately, in the children and families we serve. 

Thank you, WRJ YES Fund. Thank you, ECE-RJ. Thank you to my people who welcomed me with open arms and continue to hold me up. I can't wait to see what we'll imagine together this year—b'simcha. 

Nicole Little, Director

Rabbi Steven Foster Early Learning at Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado.  We serve about 150 students and their families with a staff of about 40 educators. 

Seeing families and friends embrace their loved ones after two long years of waiting, hoping, praying that they would return home safely, we are all able to take a collective deep breath and feel a glimmer of hope for the first time in a very long time. And at the same time we hold all of those who are feeling the pain of loss for loved ones who will not return home and those who have lost everything in this terrible war.

Although there are so many unknowns ahead, we can pause to celebrate this moment in time; celebrate a moment of unity, a moment of peace, and pray that all who live in the Middle East will be able to rebuild their lives and feel safe and secure in their homes and their community. As one of our fellow early childhood educators wrote, "It is a complicated joy." And that complicated joy is something we hold not just for ourselves, but for the many families and staff we support each and every day. Our conference committee intentionally chose to lean into the theme of joy this year. We create spaces of joy, curiosity, and wonder for our children and families all year long, and we know that we don't always feel that in our work. So, we can't wait to come together as a professional community to create joy through deep learning, moments of reflection, and through the celebration of this profession to which we have dedicated our whole selves.

In the meantime, we can't wait to see you virtually whether it is through our roundtables, learning meet-ups, and build up to the conference.

Let this moment be a reminder to us to celebrate, to find joy, to continue to seek justice for all those who are suffering both at home and abroad, and to hold on to hope for more better days ahead.

Ellen Lefkowitz, ECE-RJ President 

Each summer, the ECE-RJ board has an opportunity to gather in person to set a vision and plan for the upcoming year. In July, we gathered in Denver, CO for a few days of planning and playing together. We welcomed three new exceptional members to our board. Jen Schiffer as our new VP of Organizational Growth, Dana Robinson is the VP of Financial Support, and Meagan Friedman as the co-VP of Learning. They each bring a fresh perspective to the work and are excited to dive in!

Over our three days together, we reflected on the past year as we celebrated our 25 years of advocating, elevating, and strengthening our Jewish early childhood community. This past year, we offered monthly roundtable discussions on emerging issues with colleagues from across the country, supported new directors through our mentorship and affinity groups, and with our partners at ARJE put on an inspiring conference with deep learning, networking, and celebration of Jewish educators. We also know we are stronger together as we deepened our partnerships with ARJE, NATA, our colleagues in the Conservative movement, and across the field of Jewish early childhood education. I could not be more proud of what we accomplished last year and build on this momentum in the coming year. 

This year, we want to continue to tell the story of Jewish early childhood education.  We want to uplift our voices in the larger Reform Movement to highlight just how critical our early childhood centers and ECE leaders are to our congregations. This work is challenging. This summer, the board committed itself to engaging with our members more deeply through meaningful professional development and building a space that is nurturing and inspiring.

We want to hear your story. Share the amazing things you are doing at your school on the Forum. Our roundtables will be starting up again in the fall. We are planning meet-ups on topics such as managing up and how AI can support our work. ECE-RJ is your place for connection and camaraderie. Together, let’s shine a light on Jewish ECE! On behalf of the board, we can’t wait to see you in Philadelphia and immerse ourselves in the joy that brought us to this work. Wishing you a wonderful start to a new school year!

Ellen Lefkowitz

President

Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism 

By Sari Luck Schneider, Past President, ECE-RJ

This past January, I had the privilege of attending the annual ECE-RJ conference in Evanston, Illinois, where we celebrated a truly meaningful milestone—25 years of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism. It was an emotional and inspiring gathering, filled with familiar faces, new voices, and the kind of energy that only this community can bring.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since a small group of us—early childhood educators from both the United States and Israel—came together under the umbrella of what was then the UAHC, now the URJ. We didn’t have a roadmap. We didn’t even know exactly what we were building. But we knew one thing for certain: we had to take that first step.

In many ways, it was a Nachshon moment. As the midrash tells us, Nachshon was the one who stepped into the Red Sea before the waters parted, an act of faith that helped move an entire people forward. We were not facing literal slavery, but we were certainly operating in a climate of low respect, low pay, and minimal support. We could no longer wait. We had to move.

Thanks to the vision and backing of leaders like Rabbi Jan Katzew in our early days, and the continued support of Rabbi Rick Jacobs, we began to find our voice—and use it. From the foundational efforts of Elaine Gaidemak and Cathy Rolland to the steadfast leadership of Tricia Ginis over many years, and with countless presidents and board members lending their time and hearts, ECE-RJ has grown into a powerful, united force for change.

And what a difference 25 years makes.

Today, early childhood educators are increasingly seen, valued, and supported by their congregations. Compensation has improved, and so has respect for the deep, meaningful work we do. We are not done, but we are undeniably further along than where we began.

Standing in Chicago this year, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride—and possibility. If we’ve accomplished this in 25 years, imagine where we can be in another 15. Maybe by year 40, we’ll find ourselves at the edge of that long-awaited Promised Land. 😊

The spirit at the conference was electric. It reminded me that anything is possible when we come together with purpose, with passion, and with faith in the journey ahead.

ECE-RJ has always been a part of my life.  Since my participation as a founding member twenty-five years ago, I have been a passionate supporter.  Whether working full or part time, whether fully involved or fully retired, it was always in the forefront!  And so, it was a full-circle experience when I attended the celebration of a quarter century of ongoing and ever-expanding organizational success in Evanston, IL in January 2025! To say that I felt like a proud great-grandmother would be an understatement!

My last formal involvement in ECE-RJ was during the 2017 Chicago conference when I was honored as I retired from the many leadership positions I had held since the inception of the organization. The amount of growth that has occurred since then is impressive. Something very, very special has indeed been created from absolutely nothing! 

ECE-RJ leadership has attained a new level of proficient Judaic accomplishment with members leading joint workshops and worship services. The strong presence of Reform Movement professionals in attendance highlights the value placed on ECE-RJ as a respected professional organization within the Reform Movement. Our partnership with ARJE is one of deep respect and recognition.

So many new faces were enthusiastically participating in the creative planning, programming and execution of new and ever-expanding ideas geared to meet the evolving needs of Jewish early childhood educators. Thus, this vibrant organization has continued to move forward into the future!

These achievements were both humbling and inspiring. They bode well for the future growth of the organization as each new generation of leadership takes its place in the continuum. It is truly impressive that throughout it all we have never lost sight of the fact that as we worked and planned and envisioned, we made continuing and lasting friendships. There are no words to describe the importance of these relationships. And for that, and for the new friends I made in Evanston, I will be eternally grateful.

So, here’s to the next 25 years and beyond.  And may we grow from strength to strength.

Elaine B. Gaidemak, RJE
Founding Member, Former Board Member and Retired Executive Administrator

 In the early months of 2001, a spark was ignited that would lead to the creation of something truly transformative for Early Childhood Education (ECE) within the Reform Jewish community. While no definitive plan had yet been formed, a pivotal meeting set the stage for a bold conversation, one that would go on to shape the future. Early Childhood Directors from across the country gathered to explore a vision of collaboration and growth. They met, they learned, they laughed, and they connected, all the while imagining the possibilities of what could be.

That January, 86 passionate individuals came together, fueled by the hope of creating something bigger than themselves. Initially, there was a consideration to unite with the National Association for Temple Education (NATE) to form a single, shared organization. However, the timing wasn't right—the language and experience between the two organizations were simply too different. In response to this challenge, Rabbi Jan Katzew, Director of the UAHC's Department of Lifelong Education, stepped forward with a clarion call: “I am going to help you build something…” And so, the journey to build something new began.

The next step was finding the right leader to steer this nascent vision. Rabbi Katzew, alongside Cathy Rolland, set out to launch a national search for someone to bring the idea to life. Their search led to the hiring of Nancy Bossov as the first full-time Director of Early Childhood Education at UAHC. Together, with a growing team of committed individuals, they began to imagine the future.

In 2002, the group came together once again. By 2003, an executive committee was formed, various committees were established, and the name ECE-RJ—Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism—was born, with founding members like Susan Alpert and Karen Goldstein playing critical roles. With Nancy as the professional leader, Cathy as the primary lay leader, and Rabbi Katzew as a passionate cheerleader, the time had come to formalize this new initiative under the umbrella of the UAHC.

In 2004, they presented their case to the North American Board, and the idea passed unanimously, officially creating an organization dedicated to Early Childhood Educators in the Reform Movement. The work had only just begun, and there was much to be done to build a strong and sustainable future for ECE-RJ.

Support came from unexpected places. Three members of the North American Board—Marc Newman, Stuart Leeman, and Jodi Hessel—helped the organizing committee connect with the Reform Pension Board (RPB) and ensured the financial viability of the growing organization. Their involvement allowed the vision to expand further.

With Cathy Rolland voted in as President and Elaine Gaidemak hired as Executive Administrator, ECE-RJ took its first formal steps. Under Elaine’s leadership, the organization grew exponentially, strengthening its presence and influence in Jewish Early Childhood Education.

The organization’s most tangible expression came in the form of annual conferences, or kallahs, that provided a space for educators to deepen their knowledge, reflect on their work, and renew their passion. From 2005 through 2013, ECE-RJ held transformative conferences in cities across North America—each one a testament to the power of community and the willingness to imagine the possibilities.

In 2010, ECE-RJ reached a new milestone when HUC launched its Executive MA program, with former ECE-RJ president Cathy Rolland among its first enrollees. Others, including Susie Wexler, Leslie Scheck, and Jennie Rubin, followed suit, continuing to elevate the profile of Jewish Early Childhood Education.

But the journey was far from over. More conferences followed, in cities like Ashville, Boston, and Memphis, where ideas continued to flourish. By 2015, ECE-RJ had outgrown its part-time administrative structure and hired its first Executive Director, Tricia Ginis, to take the organization to new heights. Tricia’s leadership ushered in a period of reinvention and expansion, and the organization began to rebrand itself, streamlining its budget and reaching out to synagogues that had not yet engaged with ECE-RJ.

In 2018, a long-held dream came true: ECE-RJ’s first trip to Israel. Led by the incredible Shira Kline, the trip brought together more than 30 educators, who traveled, studied, and bonded while strengthening their connection to the land and to each other. It was another chapter in the journey of imagining possibilities.

Then, in 2019, a defining moment arrived. A summit convened at the URJ Biennial brought together leaders from across the Jewish community to tackle a pressing crisis in Jewish Early Childhood Education. The results were tangible and lasting. ECE-RJ advocated for teacher participation in the Reform Pension Board, ensuring the future of hundreds of educators. And once again, the community stood united, ready to imagine the possibilities.

But, as with every story of growth, challenges arose. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the organization to pivot. Under the leadership of Presidents Lori Kowit and Fern Katz, ECE-RJ leaned into one another as they faced the challenges of "Zoom preschool" and the shutdown of schools. Despite the difficulties, early childhood educators adapted with resilience and creativity, finding new ways to support families and connect with one another. Virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022 allowed the community to continue learning, growing, and sharing.

COVID also presented an opportunity for collaboration. ECE-RJ joined forces with organizations like The Paradigm Project, JFNA, and the Sheva Center to create The Orchard, a partnership designed to advance professional learning for Jewish Early Childhood educators. This innovative collaboration was another shining example of what happens when educators come together to imagine the possibilities.

In 2022, the first in-person conference since the pandemic was held in San Diego. The sense of community, the joy of reconnection, and the shared commitment to the work were palpable. ECE-RJ had not only survived the challenges of the pandemic but had emerged stronger and more united than ever.

In 2023, two significant milestones were achieved. First, the long-awaited ElevatED initiative, born from the 2019 Summit, launched its inaugural cohort to address the critical issues of Jewish early childhood recruitment and retention. And second, ECE-RJ and ARJE began a conversation about the future of Jewish education in the Reform Movement. This conversation culminated in the creation of Yom Chadash, a new initiative designed to bring together educators across the spectrum of Jewish learning. The first joint conference took place in 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration and synergy.

Today, ECE-RJ stands as a testament to the power of imagination, collaboration, and resilience. Whether this is your first conference or your twentieth, every person in the room has contributed to lighting the path to this moment. And as we look ahead to the future, it is up to all of us to decide what the next 25 years will bring. What will we manifest? What impact will we have on the organization and on the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education?

The possibilities are endless.

25th Anniversary Celebration Video - Clips (shorter version)

25th Anniversary Celebration - Full Video (1-23-25)