The Federation Hosts Conference for Early Childhood Jewish Educators

San Francisco, CA – The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties will host a major, two-day conference for early childhood Jewish educators later this month: Learning Environments from the Inside Out, January 31 to February 1, at the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael. The event will convene over 160 top professionals in Jewish preschools to help educators deepen their Jewish knowledge of active outdoor and indoor learning in order to pass it on to the families and children in their communities. This approach is part of the Federation's efforts to develop excellent Jewish educators by imparting the latest research, theories and best practices. Funding for this event is generously provided by the Jim Joseph Foundation.

“It is said that the environment is the ‘third teacher,’” said Janet Harris, director of the Federation’s Early Childhood Education Initiative. “What does that mean in our Jewish classrooms and outdoor spaces? This first-of-its-kind conference is an opportunity for us to learn and grow together as early childhood educators, to ask questions, and to chart new territory. We’re very excited!”

The keynote speaker of the conference is Rabbi Meir Muller, Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor at the College of Education at the University of South Carolina, an ordained rabbi, and principal of the Cutler Jewish Day School in Columbia, South Carolina for the past 23 years.

Other speakers/facilitators include Ariela Ronay-Jinich of Urban Adamah, Denise Moyes-Schnur, senior educator of the Federation’s Early Childhood Education Initiative, and Daniel Barash, Shadow Puppeteer, among others.

Full agenda, speakers, and details can be found here: http://jewishfed.org/news/events/learning-environments-inside-out-conference-early-childhood-jewish-educators

The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to the power of the Jewish community to improve the world. We partner with donors, organizations, and foundations to address pressing issues facing our community, and develop innovative strategies that result in deep and lasting impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. Learn more at www.jewishfed.org.