NEWS
Summer 2006
A NEW VISION—A NEW LENS
Being able to become a part of JECEI has been extremely exciting. In many ways, it is entirely synchronous with the core of my professional life, which has been to think about how to maximize the potential of families at their most transformative time. This is the time when the identities of families are first developing and Jewish Early Childhood Education is central to this time in a familyís life. It provides a support system for both parents and children alike and it heightens the educational experience of the family as a whole.
My formative years were spent in Argentina. I studied and lived in Israel for four years and then moved to the United States. Because of this international life experience, Iíve witnessed a variety of environments that enrich family and community life. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to infuse the JECEI vision with these understandings.
with us.”
— Diana Ganger
This initiative has a broad scope and the potential to have an impact on the entire field of Jewish Early Childhood Education. As a result, it was quite a challenge to begin to think about the ìhow, who, and whenî of the work. The incredible variety and passion in the people weíve met has been truly inspiring, and this includes lay leaders and professionals in the field of Jewish and secular education. Their passion percolates through our work and it is a privilege to have become a conduit for their creativity. What a lifetime opportunity!
Some of the areas schools are exploring include:
- Bayit (home)ówhat kind of home do we want to build around the families?
- Bírit (covenant)ówhat covenantal/reciprocal rights and obligations do our schools have toward families? How willìAbrahamís tentsîcreate at our schools welcome and help all families transition from being to belonging?
- What kinds of relationships do we want to foster in the schools between staff and parents, staff and children,between community and school, and between the staff members themselves?
- How do weschools from the perspectiveofa systemeach unique decision impacts the whole?
The JECEI vision blends Jewish thought with the ìbig ideasî behind the infant/toddler and preschool programs in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This melding enhances the positive aspects of each and creates unique dynamic vision. Once this vision took form,we then identified the melavot (coaches & consultants), people who would ìwalk with the schools.î The individuals we found form an extremely committed group that re-energizes each other in unique and gifted ways. They deeply understand the meaning of excellence through these lenses and know how to translate the vision into the work done with the schools.
We think of excellence as a process, and carry that into the schools with us. The process carries with it an understanding of the deep cultural changes that would take place: creation of culture of deep awareness, reflection and inquiry, a culture that understands life-long learning and study. An excellent Jewish Early Childhood Center is also one that is a ìfamily centerî. This entails a school that ensures a thoughtful welcoming approach. This approach includes home visits, in-depth intake, parents who are involved, and even co-own the educational programs. These types of centers also bolster the Jewish lives of all those involved and provide life-long learning opportunities, both formal and informal.
We also understand that every school is unique. JECEI is committed to preserving the individuality and makes visible the identity of each school.
JECEI also created a common ìJewish languageî through which many of the concepts that denote excellence in early childhood education can be understood. This language includes ideas like:
- Covenant
- Bítzelem Elokim-Image of G-d
- Journeyóunderstanding that we are never done or completeóthere should always be room for change and growth.
- Sacred Time/Sacred Spaceóhow do we create sacred time and sacred space in a classroomand at home.
- Peleh (Wonder)óencouraging children, family, and teachers alike to be curious, to explore, and to learn. ìAwe enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine, to sense in small things-the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate-in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing-the stillness of the eternalî. Abraham Joshua Heschel
- Tikkun Olam
- Celebration
This revolutionary approach to Jewish Early Childhood Education provide communities with the potential for living a Jewish life that is rich with meaning genuine. Families will have avenues to learn and study together with staff to maintain and enliven the relationship with the Jewish community that embraces them through their childís preschool experience.
In future issues of the JECEI newsletter, you can look forward to reading specific accounts of the work JECEI does.
> Contact Diana about this article.
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A NEW VISION—A NEW LENS : Summer 2006 Newsletter