What do M&M's and Torah have to do with the ECE Initiative?
On December 1, 2009, over fifty community members gathered at the home of Jackie and Dan Safier to learn more about the Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECEI). The event was generously hosted by Jennifer and Tony Smorgon. It was an inspirational evening! Tony introduced the event by welcoming guests and thanking our hosts, the Safiers. He then shared his passion for Early Childhood Education as a gateway for families into the Jewish community. He admitted that he had a vested interest, being the parent of four young children!
Janet Harris, Director of the Early Childhood Education Initiative, gave an overview of the ECEI, and talked about how the Initiative was “connecting the dots” between the four pillars of our work: Professional development, Connecting with Families, Standards of Excellence and Compensation and Finance. They are all inter-connected and interdependent. Rebecca Elegant is a community member who has been a two-time participant in Parenting Matters, a parent of children enrolled in Bay Area Jewish Early Childhood Education programs, and a recipient of The PJ Library®. She spoke about the power of the relationships she developed in the aforementioned settings, and how it is the core of her engagement in Jewish life.
The highlight of the evening was Rabbi Ed Feinstein, of Congregation Valley Beth Shalom in Encino California. Rabbi Feinstein is a world renowned lecturer and educator, and we were honored to have the opportunity to learn from his experience and wisdom. Rabbi Feinstein recalled the profound spirituality that young children bring to their play and conversations. He discussed how Jewish identity and memory is formed from the earliest ages, using the example of torah discussions with a young child while playing with and eating m&m's, and how 12 years later, they still had those same discussions. Rabbi Feinstein was emphatic about the place of Early Childhood in Jewish Education- the prominent place, the jumping off point. He told stories of how families can be welcomed into the Jewish community when their children are beginning their Jewish journey.
Most importantly, Rabbi Feinstein placed the responsibility of sustaining excellence in Early Childhood Jewish Education programs and opportunities on each one of us- that it is our job and our legacy for the next generation. Robust discussion and conversations followed the formal part of the evening. Ideas were shared, and excitement was in the air. We are very grateful to the Smorgons, the Safiers, and our speakers for making “Connecting the Dots” an event that we will always remember, and act upon!
