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.
