Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select my workshops and meals?

New for 2017, we will be using a convenient mobile event app - Guidebook - accessible from smartphones and computers throughout the conference. Registration for workshops and meal selections will be made in the Guidebook app in January. ECE-RJ will send conference attendees a link to download the app for free. For more information about registration or the conference contact Fern Katz fkatz@chicagosinai.org.

Is ECE-RJ membership required to attend the conference?

Membership is required to attend the 2-day or full-day conference. You can click this link to join ECE-RJ.

How much does the conference cost?   

Full Conference Fees                         
Register Before Jan. 1 - $625.00
Register After Jan. 1 - $685.00
2-Days (Th & Fri)                 
Register Before Jan 1. – $565.00
Register After Jan. 1 - $600.00
1/2 Day Friday (No Lunch) - $55.00
1-Day Friday (with Lunch) - $110.00

Members: Please login to pay by invoice when registering online.

When are the registration fees due?

All money is due by January 1, 2017. You can mail a check to: ECE-RJ 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 1630-909 Phoenix, AZ 85050; pay online using your PayPal account; or request an invoice to pay as a guest with PayPal by credit card.         

Is there financial assistance available?

ECE-RJ has a limited amount of scholarship money available to members. Please click on this link to complete an application by Nov. 27, 2016. Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and held in confidence. Decisions will be made by December 10 and all applicants will be notified.

Please email Fern Katz, fkatz@chicagosinai.org for information about grants for local teachers for the Friday half-day program.

Is there a group rate available?

Register five or more attendees (excluding the Director, Co-Director) on a single check and save 10% on CONFERENCE fees only. Please email executivedirector@ecerj.org or call 480-620-4053 to register a group of five or more.

What does my conference fee include?

• Registration and resource materials
• Panim Chadashot Welcome Event
• Wednesday’s Billy Jonas Concert
• Dessert Reception Honoring Elaine Gaidemak
• Lunch and dinner on Thursday and Friday
• Brunch on Saturday
• Complimentary use of the Guidebook mobile event app for convenient meal and workshop selections and networking opportunities.

What is NOT included in my conference fee?

Breakfast (except Saturday) and dinners on Wednesday and Saturday evenings are not included. We hope you will take advantage of signing up for the ‘Dine-a-Round’ style dinners on Wednesday and Saturday evening.

What is the Conference Refund Policy?

Intent to withdraw or transfer registration to another person (at any date) must be communicated via email to Tricia Ginis, Executive Director at mailto:executivedirector@ecerj.org.  Withdrawal on or before 12/31/16 results in a refund of the full registration fee less a $50 administrative fee. Withdrawal on or after 1/1/17 results in a refund of half of the conference registration fee less a $50 administrative fee. NO REFUNDS will be issued after 1/15/2017.

How do I make a hotel reservation?

Hotel Room Reservations can be made at any time with this LINK
Palmer House® A Hilton Hotel has 140 years of experience, winning over downtown Chicago travelers with award-winning service. Set in the theatre and financial district, this landmark hotel is close to well-known attractions. You’ll find famous frescoes, stylish suites, massive meeting space and artful dining at Lockwood and Potter's Lounge. Relax at Balance Spa or work out in the sizeable fitness center. Hotel room rate is $139/night double occupancy (*$25 per person per night above double occupancy)

Is airport transportation available?

A shuttle is available through the Airport Shuttle Online Reservation System (service provided by GO Airport Express) Reservations made using this LINK will include a 10% discount on airport shuttle rides.

Can I Park at the Hotel?

·Valet-Parking: $75/night (no discount for conference attendees)

·Self-Park at Palmer House: $47 / 24 hours (Guests will receive 50% off this price for overnight and day guests.)

·Self-Park at 55 E Monroe: $44 / 24 hours (overnight guests ONLY will receive 50% off this price)

Will the hotel accommodate special needs?

Every effort will be made to accommodate the special needs of conference attendees, whether physical or dietary. Be sure to include requests during registration.

What are the suggested arrival and departure times?

Full Conference attendees should plan to arrive by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, March 1st and plan to depart anytime Sunday, March 5th.

Two-day attendees (Thursday and Friday only) should plan to arrive Thursday, March 2nd at 8:00 am. One-day attendees should arrive Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 am.

Will I get credit for workshop attendance?

Certificates will be given to all conference attendees. Attendees will receive stickers for each of the workshops and learning experiences they attend.

The Palmer House Hotel

Hip and historic spaces at Chicago landmark

Palmer House® A Hilton Hotel has 140 years of experience, winning over downtown Chicago travelers with award-winning service. Set in the theatre and financial district, this landmark hotel is close to well-known attractions. You’ll find famous frescoes, stylish suites, massive meeting space and artful dining at Lockwood and Potter's Lounge. Relax at Balance Spa or work out in the sizeable fitness center.

Hotel Room Reservations can be made at any time with this LINK

Hotel room rate is $139/night double occupancy (*$25 per person per night above double occupancy)

Second City Information

for Saturday March 4

8pm show

Meet at 7:30 pm to enter as a group-so seats are together

1616 N Wells St,
Chicago, IL 60614

312-337-3992

History of Second City

The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959, and has since grown to become the world’s premier comedy club, theatre and school of improvisation—with live shows every night in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood. Bernard Sahlins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills, son of teacher Viola Spolin, founded the theater as a place where scenes and story were created improvisationally, using techniques that grew out of the innovative techniques Spolin developed and taught. The Second City chose its self-mocking name from the title of an article about Chicago by A. J. Liebling that appeared in The New Yorker in 1952.

Andrew Alexander and his recently deceased partner Len Stuart acquired The Second City in 1987. Andrew Alexander has helmed the Second City for 42 years and has produced television programs in both the United States and Canada including “SCTV,” “Second City Presents” and “Next Comedy Legend.” Since its debut, The Second City has been a launching pad for comedians, actors, directors and others working in show business. Notable alumni include Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, John Belushi, John Candy, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Rachel Dratch, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Jeff Garlin, Ian Gomez, Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kind, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Andrea Martin, Jack McBrayer, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Joan Rivers, Amy Sedaris, Martin Short, George Wendt and Fred Willard, among many others.

Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu takes you on an uproarious exploration of intuition. Have you been here before? Should you do anything different? Or are mistakes what make us grow? In this ever changing world there are still significant transformations to be made. Take a gleeful glance into funny mothers, millennials, christian media and contemporary nostalgia as you get fooled twice and come back to be fooled again.

PERFORMANCES:
Every Tuesday to Sunday night.
Check the calendar for performance times.

Written and/or Performed By:
Chelsea Devantez, Paul Jurewicz, Rashawn Nadine Scott, Sarah Shook, Daniel Strauss and Jamison Webb

Directed By: Ryan Bernier
Musical Direction, Original Music, Sound Design: Jacob Shuda
Stage Manager: Craig Taylor

This performance runs about 2 hours with one 10 minute intermission and should be considered rated R.

Guidebook Event App

NEW FOR 2017: We will be using the mobile event app, "Guidebook" to select meals, register for workshops, and communicate during the event. Please follow the directions below to SIGN UP NOW FOR MEALS AND WORKSHOPS.

ChicaGO! 2017 ECE-RJ Conference has gone mobile!

We're excited to announce we have a brand new mobile guide for you to use on Guidebook! Get the guide to access the most up-to-date information about our event, including schedules, maps, and much more.

Get our guide here: https://guidebook.com/g/2017ecerjconference

Android and iOS users:

1. Tap the "Download" button to download the free Guidebook app
2. Open Guidebook and you can find our "ChicaGO! 2017 ECE-RJ Conference" guide
3. Tap "Enter passphrase" and enter 2017ecerjconference to download our guide

See you there!

— ChicaGO! 2017 ECE-RJ Conference Team

Contribution Opportunities

Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, is seeking vendors for their annual ECE-RJ national conference. ECE-RJ is committed to providing high quality informative and experiential workshops and presentations to early childhood educators from across the country.  This year’s conference theme is ChicaGO: Advancing Early Childhood Education in the 21^st Century and will be held at the Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois.

There are 4 ways for you to be present:

1. Become a Conference App Sponsor: Be featured on our ECE-RJ Conference App. All attendees will utilize the app, giving you frequent exposure throughout the conference. Sponsorships include a listing with a blurb about your company/product, links to the sponsor website and social media forums, a listing on the ECE-RJ website with logo and link to sponsor website, and acknowledgement in the printed Ad book. ($360)
2. Become a Vendor: On March 2-3, 2017, 8AM - 4PM we offer a variety of opportunities for our attendees to visit vendor booths to shop and learn more about products and services. We expect to have 400 educators in attendance and encourage you to submit an application to be a vendor at the ECE-RJ conference. Each space includes 1 6-foot table, 2 chairs, Wi-Fi access and linens.  You may request more than one space in order to have enough room to meet your needs.  Vendor space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis!  Register by December 1st and save $50 with our early bird discount for vendors. ($300-$900)
3. Become a Resource on the ECE-RJ Website: Each listing will have your organization or company’s name and website address.  ($100-$175)
4. Provide Branded Swag for Welcome Bags: Welcome bags are given to all conference attendees. These bags are filled with branded swag from popcorn to pens; how will you make your mark? (Donation of 400 items minimum)

To access our vendor application and sponsorship online please follow this LINK. For more information about ECE-RJ and our upcoming conference. Please visit our website at https://ecerj.silkstart.com/cpages/conferences-and-kallot Thank you for your consideration, and we hope to see you on March 2!

Lorrie Applebey

Chair, Vendor Expo

ChicaGO: Advancing Early Childhood Education in the 21^st Century

ECE-RJ

847-763-3670

lapplebey@jccchicago.org

Tribute Ads to Honor Elaine Gaidemak

Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism is gathering for our annual conference in Chicago March 1-4. We expect over 350 early childhood educators from across the United States to attend as we learn together. The theme of this year’s conference is ChicaGO! Advancing Early Childhood Education in the 21st Century.

We are creating a Tribute Book to honor Elaine Gaidemak for her years of service and dedication to ECE-RJ. This Tribute Book will be given to all attendees at the Dessert Reception: Sweet Treats and Celebration Honoring Elaine Gaidemak on Thursday March 2, 2017. We would love to include words of praise and thanks for all of her hard work over the years. Elaine has been instrumental in lifting up the work of Early Childhood Educators for the past 17 years. Her vision and drive has brought the organization to where it is today. Please consider placing an ad in the Tribute Book in her honor.

Sample ads:

Example 1: Honoring Elaine Gaidemak for her vision and dedication to ECE-RJ. Uplifting the work of Jewish Early Childhood Education. Yasher Koach! With love from The Board of ECE-RJ.

Example 2: Thank you for helping to shape the work of ECE-RJ. Growing and developing the organization and elevating the work of Early Childhood Educators. With respect and admiration, The Past Presidents of ECE-RJ

Please submit ad by February 10, 2017 to Tricia Ginis, executivedirector@ecerj.org. Ads may be submitted in jpg format or wording sent with logo/photo for us to create.

Ad specifications:
1/4 page - ($54)
1/2 page 4"h x 5"w - ($72)
Full page 8"h x 5"w - ($180)
Inside front cover/inside back cover 8"h x 5"w - SOLD OUT
Back cover 8"h x 5"w - ($450)
*All Ads will be printed in black and white with the exception of the back cover, which will be in full color.

Virtual Ads

Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism is gathering for our annual conference in Chicago March 1-4. We expect more than 350 early childhood educators from across the United States to attend as we learn together. The theme of this year’s conference is ChicaGO! Advancing Early Childhood Education in the 21st Century.

We are creating a Virtual Ad Journal to honor Early Childhood Professionals and the sacred work they do. This Virtual Ad Journal will be displayed as a slideshow during the conference, on the conference event app used by all of our attendees, and on our website after the conference through December 31, 2017.

View the 2015 Boston Conference Virtual Ad Journal HERE

Sample ads:

Example 1: In honor of your leadership, wisdom and passion for young children and their families. Fern Katz, Sinai Preschool Director, Chicago Sinai

Example 2: In honor of the incredible, talented & dedicated staff. You touch the lives of children everyday! Honoring the Temple Beth Avodah Nursery School Staff

Example 3: Temple Shalom is proud of your hard work & commitment to excellence in Early Childhood Education. In honor of the teaching staff with love, Temple Shalom.

Please complete this FORM by February 10, 2017.