In the early months of 2001, a spark was ignited that would lead to the creation of something truly transformative for Early Childhood Education (ECE) within the Reform Jewish community. While no definitive plan had yet been formed, a pivotal meeting set the stage for a bold conversation, one that would go on to shape the future. Early Childhood Directors from across the country gathered to explore a vision of collaboration and growth. They met, they learned, they laughed, and they connected, all the while imagining the possibilities of what could be.
That January, 86 passionate individuals came together, fueled by the hope of creating something bigger than themselves. Initially, there was a consideration to unite with the National Association for Temple Education (NATE) to form a single, shared organization. However, the timing wasn't right—the language and experience between the two organizations were simply too different. In response to this challenge, Rabbi Jan Katzew, Director of the UAHC's Department of Lifelong Education, stepped forward with a clarion call: “I am going to help you build something…” And so, the journey to build something new began.
The next step was finding the right leader to steer this nascent vision. Rabbi Katzew, alongside Cathy Rolland, set out to launch a national search for someone to bring the idea to life. Their search led to the hiring of Nancy Bossov as the first full-time Director of Early Childhood Education at UAHC. Together, with a growing team of committed individuals, they began to imagine the future.
In 2002, the group came together once again. By 2003, an executive committee was formed, various committees were established, and the name ECE-RJ—Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism—was born, with founding members like Susan Alpert and Karen Goldstein playing critical roles. With Nancy as the professional leader, Cathy as the primary lay leader, and Rabbi Katzew as a passionate cheerleader, the time had come to formalize this new initiative under the umbrella of the UAHC.
In 2004, they presented their case to the North American Board, and the idea passed unanimously, officially creating an organization dedicated to Early Childhood Educators in the Reform Movement. The work had only just begun, and there was much to be done to build a strong and sustainable future for ECE-RJ.
Support came from unexpected places. Three members of the North American Board—Marc Newman, Stuart Leeman, and Jodi Hessel—helped the organizing committee connect with the Reform Pension Board (RPB) and ensured the financial viability of the growing organization. Their involvement allowed the vision to expand further.
With Cathy Rolland voted in as President and Elaine Gaidemak hired as Executive Administrator, ECE-RJ took its first formal steps. Under Elaine’s leadership, the organization grew exponentially, strengthening its presence and influence in Jewish Early Childhood Education.
The organization’s most tangible expression came in the form of annual conferences, or kallahs, that provided a space for educators to deepen their knowledge, reflect on their work, and renew their passion. From 2005 through 2013, ECE-RJ held transformative conferences in cities across North America—each one a testament to the power of community and the willingness to imagine the possibilities.
In 2010, ECE-RJ reached a new milestone when HUC launched its Executive MA program, with former ECE-RJ president Cathy Rolland among its first enrollees. Others, including Susie Wexler, Leslie Scheck, and Jennie Rubin, followed suit, continuing to elevate the profile of Jewish Early Childhood Education.
But the journey was far from over. More conferences followed, in cities like Ashville, Boston, and Memphis, where ideas continued to flourish. By 2015, ECE-RJ had outgrown its part-time administrative structure and hired its first Executive Director, Tricia Ginis, to take the organization to new heights. Tricia’s leadership ushered in a period of reinvention and expansion, and the organization began to rebrand itself, streamlining its budget and reaching out to synagogues that had not yet engaged with ECE-RJ.
In 2018, a long-held dream came true: ECE-RJ’s first trip to Israel. Led by the incredible Shira Kline, the trip brought together more than 30 educators, who traveled, studied, and bonded while strengthening their connection to the land and to each other. It was another chapter in the journey of imagining possibilities.
Then, in 2019, a defining moment arrived. A summit convened at the URJ Biennial brought together leaders from across the Jewish community to tackle a pressing crisis in Jewish Early Childhood Education. The results were tangible and lasting. ECE-RJ advocated for teacher participation in the Reform Pension Board, ensuring the future of hundreds of educators. And once again, the community stood united, ready to imagine the possibilities.
But, as with every story of growth, challenges arose. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the organization to pivot. Under the leadership of Presidents Lori Kowit and Fern Katz, ECE-RJ leaned into one another as they faced the challenges of "Zoom preschool" and the shutdown of schools. Despite the difficulties, early childhood educators adapted with resilience and creativity, finding new ways to support families and connect with one another. Virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022 allowed the community to continue learning, growing, and sharing.
COVID also presented an opportunity for collaboration. ECE-RJ joined forces with organizations like The Paradigm Project, JFNA, and the Sheva Center to create The Orchard, a partnership designed to advance professional learning for Jewish Early Childhood educators. This innovative collaboration was another shining example of what happens when educators come together to imagine the possibilities.
In 2022, the first in-person conference since the pandemic was held in San Diego. The sense of community, the joy of reconnection, and the shared commitment to the work were palpable. ECE-RJ had not only survived the challenges of the pandemic but had emerged stronger and more united than ever.
In 2023, two significant milestones were achieved. First, the long-awaited ElevatED initiative, born from the 2019 Summit, launched its inaugural cohort to address the critical issues of Jewish early childhood recruitment and retention. And second, ECE-RJ and ARJE began a conversation about the future of Jewish education in the Reform Movement. This conversation culminated in the creation of Yom Chadash, a new initiative designed to bring together educators across the spectrum of Jewish learning. The first joint conference took place in 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration and synergy.
Today, ECE-RJ stands as a testament to the power of imagination, collaboration, and resilience. Whether this is your first conference or your twentieth, every person in the room has contributed to lighting the path to this moment. And as we look ahead to the future, it is up to all of us to decide what the next 25 years will bring. What will we manifest? What impact will we have on the organization and on the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education?
The possibilities are endless.
25th Anniversary Celebration Video - Clips (shorter version)
25th Anniversary Celebration - Full Video (1-23-25)
