Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Low-impact strategies:
• Encourage families to take baby steps in incorporating Judaism into their daily
lives, finding their comfort level and growing from there.
• Help make Shabbat a part of a family’s weekly routine by making challah and
candles available to them every week.
• Provide information about opportunities for the families to become involved in
tzedakah activities.
• Send home information or recommend websites that give guidelines on creating
Jewish memories.
• Send children home with Shabbat boxes that include everything that is necessary,
including prayers, to celebrate Shabbat at home.
High-impact strategies:
• Invite parents to participate in a Friday night, Tot Shabbat, and/or havdalah
service so that they can become familiar with these rituals and incorporate them
into their family practice.
• Sponsor workshops for families to familiarize them with customs or rituals that
may not be a part of their family experience; for example, attaching a mezuzah to
a doorpost.
• Help parents to work together to build a sukkah and invite other families to share
in the mitzvah of eating in it.
• Plan a Mitzvah Day to help families incorporate mitzvot into their everyday lives.
Identity
Research indicates that a child’s Jewish identity is intricately linked to the family’s
Jewish identity:
• Parents, especially mothers, play a major role in their child’s image of God, their
moral development, and the transmission of Jewish values.
• Children’s identity is inseparable from their parents’ identity.
• Early childhood educators have a unique opportunity to build close relationships
with parents.
(Vogelstein, 2004)
Jewish behaviors such as ritual practice, forming social affiliations through marriage and
friendships, participating in Jewish art and culture, and joining Jewish organizations and
institutions are indicators of a strong Jewish identity. As Jewish early childhood
educators, we must be proactive in connecting families to the Jewish community and
fostering these behaviors. Since we know that children can influence the family’s
participation in Jewish life, Jewish early childhood educators must connect with families
in order to integrate concepts and experiences. As educators, we must strive to connect
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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