“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
These words of Viktor Frankl in one of the greatest books written in the last century, Man’s Search for Meaning, apply not only to people; they also apply to organizations.
Why does ECE-RJ exist? 25 years ago, I served as the Director of Lifelong Learning for the UAHC, which became the URJ in 2003. I began receiving thoughtful questions about early childhood education throughout North America, educational questions, financial questions, legal questions, ethical questions, and spiritual questions, questions that I knew I could not answer. However, I knew people who could speak with authority, Jewish early childhood educators.
I had two wonderful teachers who were exemplary Jewish early childhood educators at The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, NY - Temma Kingsley and Shelley Roff, both of blessed memory. They taught me truths ascribed to Janusz Korczak.
“Children are not the people of tomorrow; they are people today.”
“Love the child, not just your own.”
Their ‘torah’ left an indelible impression on me, and I felt confident that Jewish early childhood educators could teach the Jewish community about love: love of children, love of learning, and love of God. 25 years have passed since ECE-RJ was founded. The “who”, the founders and the leaders, have changed. The historical context has changed. The name of the Reform Movement’s umbrella organization has changed. The status of Jewish early childhood education has changed. In ECE-RJ Jewish early childhood educators now have a collective voice that commands respect, and yet a growth mindset reminds us that there is always an opportunity to reach greater heights, to attain greater wisdom, to realize more of our hidden potential to live the Torah that we love.
What has not changed in 25 years is the “why”, the vision of ECE-RJ. I still believe love is the “why” of ECE-RJ. I hope you agree.
With love,
Rabbi Jan Katzew, PhD
