"Teach the Child, Reach the Family"

Most young people leave organized Jewish life after their Bar/Bat-Mitzvah or Confirmation never to return…until they bring a small Jewish soul back with them as they register for an early childhood program.

Our community and our early childhood educators recognize the enormous opportunity presented to us by each new Jewish family that entrusts us with their child.

As much as we interact with the child, we also recognize the powerful potential to (re-)engage the family in Jewish life and to develop educational and family-oriented initiatives to capitalize on this moment.

The Partnership engages early childhood educational leaders in this new direction and develops an appreciation among young families for Jewish experiences that will inspire them to continue their Jewish journey beyond the pre-school years of their children into Jewish summer camps, day schools and congregational schools.

The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life supports MetroWest early childhood centers in their efforts to provide excellence in Jewish early childhood programs for the healthy development of young children. We encourage and support educators and lay leaders in their work of providing rich Jewish experiences, content and skills to enable young children and their families to connect to the riches of our Jewish tradition and all that the Jewish community has to offer.

The Early Childhood Directors’ Network of all MetroWest early childhood directors meets monthly. It is a sharing and planning group of colleagues. All Directors are welcome to participate.

A group of eight MetroWest early childhood centers have formed a Community of Practice to work more intensely on our new mission of consciously planning more ways to involve and connect Jewish families as they seek their own personal Jewish journeys. This pilot group shares its learnings in real time with the other MetroWest early childhood directors so that all early childhood leadership work together to Teach the Child and Reach the Family.

MetroWest early childhood centers are invited to participate in the Special Needs Professional Consultation Consortium.

In addition, The Partnership works with MetroWest early childhood directors to plan in-service opportunities for all early childhood educators—for their professional development and to fulfill state licensing requirements. We sponsor an annual Early Childhood Fall Conference which brings over 450 educators together for interactive learning to enhance their skills and practices.

For more information please contact Joan Bronspiegel Dickman, Early Childhood and Family Engagement Director

2010 Save-the-Date
Friday, October 29, 2010
Hosted at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston

The Partnership is affiliated with more than 30 Early Childhood Centers in the MetroWest community. We can help you find a program that fits your child.

Click here for a list of MetroWest Early Childhood Centers

• Early Childhood Directors Network Meetings 2010-2011
• Resources for Families
• Resources for Educators
• Contact Joan Bronspiegel Dickman, Director, Early Childhood and Family Engagement