Blogs

Help with Using ShulCloud for Early Childhood

Are you using ShulCloud in your congregation? Are you trying to incorporate your early childhood center into the Shul Cloud system but can’t quite seem to figure out just how to do this? After seeing many questions and posts on the ECE-RJ Directors’ Forum, it seems that many of the early childhood directors whose congregations are using Shul Cloud are finding that the School Module does not easily accommodate the needs of early childhood programs.

I decided to do a little research to see what can be done to help these congregations. I think I found a solution or at least someone who has a solution to this problem. Meet Adam Polansky-Shapiro, CEO - Shul Solutions. Adam’s experience as an Administrator and Executive Director of a synagogue and its school helps him to understands the need for integration within the congregation. He specializes in solutions for ShulCloud database systems.

ECE-RJ is offering a Directors’ Meet Up (Zoom conference call) so that Adam can share a little bit about what he offers and answer questions relating to Shul Cloud. I encourage all Directors who are currently using ShulCloud, or are considering moving to Shul Cloud, to invite the Executive Director at their congregation to join them for this call. Adam may have the answers you are looking for in terms of integrating all programs within the congregation including the early childhood center.

The Meet Up will take place on October 25, 2019 at 3:00 pm ET. Registration details are coming soon.

Midterm elections will take place on November 6. It will be here before you know it. It is our civic duty to vote. While we should not push our beliefs on anyone, I do see it as our responsibility to encourage the families in our schools to vote and get engaged in the election process. 

Some of the ways to engage families in the election process include:

• Share information from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism  
• Bring voting to your classrooms.  Have the children vote on something, anything. This exercise will encourage the families to discuss voting and the elections at home. We can influence the future voters by making voting a habit or what is expected of all adults.
• Encourage families to bring their child(ren) to the voting booth.
• Read books in the classrooms that promote voting and share the list with families.
• In preparation for the 2020 election, share this link with your families who may not be registered to vote.

Reform Jewish Movement Leadership Statement
Last month, the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) issued a statement regarding the “coarseness of public discourse” currently taking place in the United States. 

The Reform Jewish Movement Leadership Statement, which included “We must all expect more from the president of the United States,” was signed by leaders of the URJ and leaders of all of the Union’s affiliated organizations, including ECE-RJ.

 “The words of the High Holiday prayer book are written in the collective, reminding us that responsibility for misdeeds and their correction lies with the community as much as the individuals,” said the statement.

The statement also quotes Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who said, “Some are guilty; all are responsible. Indeed, decency knows no party. Whether we are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, conservatives, moderates, or liberals, we all bear the responsibility to uphold the norms of ethical speech and moral conduct that have made our democracy great.”

This mid-term election is very important for the work we do with children, families and our communities.  Who we elect will have a direct impact on the direction of this country. For me, I am paying close attention to a candidate’s position on gun control and the Me Too Movement (#metoo).  

L’Shalom,

Lori