The Talmud quotes Rabbi Chanina as saying:

“I have learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and the most from my students.”

As educators of young children, there is constant potential to learn from the children we work with and, in order to hone our practice, we must also continually grow our knowledge base. This can take many forms, one of which is attending learning sessions where one can thinking together with other educators. Lifelong learning is a core Jewish value and in these uncertain and challenging times of the pandemic, ongoing thinking and learning related to our practice can be the fuel that re-energizes our passion in this work.

The Efshar Project is partnering in a national collaborative effort with the JCC Association’s Sheva Center, Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), The Paradigm Project, the Jewish Education Project, the Jewish Early Childhood Association, American Jewish University, and the Jewish Federations and education agencies of Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Greater MetroWest NJ, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C, to offer a myriad of continuing education opportunities for educators and leaders working in Jewish ECE across the country.

Thursday evenings at 5:30pm MST, throughout the year will bring free virtual learning sessions geared specifically toward educators working in Jewish ECE. From the convenience of your home, and for no cost, you can join others working in our field, to explore the following topics (click on the links to register).

• A Social-Constructivist approach to teaching with sessions on:
  • Literacy
  • Power Play (e.g. superhero, rough & tumble play)
  • Long Term Investigations

• The Rhythms of the Jewish Year – where you can expand your thinking related to curriculum experiences for Jewish holidays. I will be co-facilitating this series with education consultant Veronica Maravankin, and it is intended for both new and experienced educators.

• Newish to Jewish – an introduction to Jewish traditions for those new to Jewish culture and curious about expanding their knowledge.

Rabbi Hillel says…

“Do not say, ‘When I have time I will study’, for perhaps you will not become free.” – Pirkei Avot 2:4

My hope is that everyone can find something, and the time, to stimulate their minds and enhance their practice.

Happy thinking and learning!