Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Vision for Conservative
Early Childhood Programs:
A Journey Guide
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction: How to Use This Vision 4
Ethical Behavior 8
God and Spirituality 50
Jewish Learning 70
Ritual Observance 88
Working with Clergy (and Other Key Community Members) 122
Jewish Environment 126
Conclusion 130
Acknowledgement
Many people worked to make the Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs a
reality. Maxine Segal Handelman, United Synagogue’s consultant for early childhood
education, brought it into being. Yasher kochem and todah rabbah to Denise Abadi,
Linda Adelsohn, Angie Bass, Jackie Binstock, Sherry Bohm, Adrianne Cohen, Debbie
Deutsch, Sheri Frohlich, Pam Gorin, Janice Jumbo, Temma Kingsley, Charlotte
Muchnick, Marla Osband, Cherene Radis, Shelley Remer, Nechama Retting, Rena
Rotenberg, Jordanna Weiss, Linda Weiss, and Shari Young, who spent hours writing,
critiquing, and discussing this guide. Many teachers and directors helped shape them
through discussions at CAJE, NAEYC, and other local gatherings. This document would
not have been possible without the expert editorial eyes of Rabbi Paul Drazen, Wendy
Light, and Joanne Palmer, and the incredible support of Rabbi Robert Abramson.
© Copyrighted 2009 by The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. All rights
reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without permission of the publisher,
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
ISBN: 0-8381-0050-3
Cover art by Molly-Rose Arnstein
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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