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This July, our ECE-RJ board gathered in San Diego for a 3 day board retreat.  We spent our days getting to know each other and diving deep into our work, and our evenings doing a bit of exploring in my beautiful city.  It was a joy and honor to host this incredible group.  

We anchored our work with the Appreciative Inquiry cycle — Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny.  This process took us from focusing on our strengths, to dreaming of ECE-RJ’s future, to honing in on four strategic priorities and creating action steps on how we will accomplish these goals.  

Priority 1: Maintain active participation in NATA and Biennial while establishing ECE-RJ as a premier consulting organization and expert voice in early childhood Jewish education among affiliated communities.

Priority 2: Establish and maintain a rolling five-year calendar of conference dates and locations, finalized at least two years in advance, including one international conference per cycle.

Priority 3: Create a guide for congregations on best practices in compensation and benefits — so that our schools become sought-after places to work.

Priority 4: Build a committee structure strong enough that we know our next two ECE-RJ presidents. Committees in scope: Membership, Marketing & Communications, Learning, Conference, Finance/Fundraising, Organizational Growth, and Governance (plus task forces).

It was so validating to see that at the conclusion of our work, our four priorities lined up exactly with our four pillars from ECE-RJ’s mission statement — national and international presence, community building through conference and connection, elevation of the professional self, and organizational stability through leadership development. The work we have done and the core values of our organization continue to be our guiding principles as we move into the future.

What’s next?  We’ll get to work on our priorities in addition to the wonderful work ECE-RJ is already working on, like our upcoming conference in January, Shoresh: Deepening the Roots of Wonder and Play and some other exciting new learning opportunities.  

We’re going to need your help - so please reach out if you’d like to be involved!  

I’d love to hear from you.  leslie@templesolel.net

As I wrap up my two-year term as President of ECE-RJ, I have been reflecting on what this organization has meant to me since I first became involved around ten years ago. As early childhood educators and leaders, our roles are complex and complicated.  We are asked to create nurturing, intentional, Jewish spaces for children and their families. We are asked to be the warm and welcoming first introduction into our institutions. We are asked to recruit, on-board, train, and retain an incredibly diverse teaching staff. And we do this all with limited resources, never quite knowing what global crisis will impact the safety and security of our school community. ECE-RJ is relentless in its work to uplift, inspire and unite Jewish early childhood educators. I have never met a more dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to serve our members. Volunteers who motivate and mentor, connect and learn, commiserate and laugh. From the time I joined ECE-RJ, I have been surrounded by professional colleagues who not only want to be the best leaders they can be, but also want each of us to thrive as leaders in our positions. I know I would not be the educator I am today without this community. of ECE-RJ, I have been reflecting on what this organization has meant to me since I first became involved around 10,,,,of ECE-RJ;

The board of ECE-RJ could not be made up of a more special group of educators. We are a diverse group of professionals from all across the country. We serve in large and small schools, some of us are veteran educators and some are newer to the field. Collectively, we are a strategic, innovative, and inspiring group of leaders. At the heart of our work is building a stronger and more connected community of early childhood educators. ECE-RJ’s relationship to its members is what fuels our work. Through our conferences, roundtable discussions, meet-ups, advocacy work and all the moments in between, our board recognizes the importance of each of these opportunities to connect with our members and colleagues. As I complete my time as president, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the board for all of its work. It is the greatest honor to work with this amazing group of people who go above and beyond to serve our membership with the care and commitment we all deserve in this field. I know that Leslie Scheck and Mihaela Schwartz, our incoming President and Vice-President, will take our organization to new heights. If you are looking to deepen your impact in this field, connect with smart, fun, and visionary leaders, there is an open invitation to join us. We need you and you will be so glad you leaned into this organization. May we all continue to go from strength to strength!

Ellen Lefkowitz, President ECE-RJjoined ECE-RJof ECE-RJ 2024-2026