Early Childhood & Young Families

The Jewish Education Project galvanizes early-childhood institutions to become family-focused gateways to further Jewish engagement. Through peer networks and expert consulting, we help educators integrate Jewish developmentally appropriate practices into their classrooms, involving children in authentic Jewish learning experiences. The Jewish Education Project also engages in innovative outreach to young families to help them explore their options for their children’s future Jewish education.

Learn more about our work with young families:

• Gateways to Engagement (G2E)
• The PJ Library
• Jump In
• Bagels, Blocks and Beyond
• Project SEED
• Director’s Networks
• Communities of Practice (CoPs)
• Professional Days of Learning
• Whole School Learning
• Consultations, Site Visits, and Online Communications
• Press

Gateways to Engagement (G2E)

The Jewish Education Project brings together educators, lay leaders, and professional leaders seeking to collaboratively transform their early-childhood centers and their host institutions (i.e., synagogues and Jewish community centers) into more welcoming and engaging entryways to Jewish life for families with young children.

The PJ Library

In partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, sponsoring institutions, and local donors, The Jewish Education Project provides families with free high-quality Jewish books and music each month, along with related activities and programs that reinforce the Jewish values and messages of the materials.

Jump In

Jump In programs, designed to increase outreach to young families, are offered in partnership with The PJ Library with funding by the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life.

• Jump In for Justice events engage families with young children, ages 3-6, in hands-on social action experiences that emphasize the important role little hands can have in making a difference in the world. These unique family events underscore the Jewish value of “tikkun olam” and support parents in nurturing their child’s sensitivity towards the needs of others.
• Through Jump In with Shira Story Time, The Jewish Education Project supports PJ Library program professionals and early childhood educators as they create dynamic story time experiences for families with young children.   The Jump In with Shira Story Time project is designed to model an approach inspired by Jewish books and infused with Jewish music and theme-based activities.

Learn more about the Jump In Program and Upcoming Jump In Events here.

Bagels, Blocks and Beyond

This adult Jewish learning project enables parents with young children to explore parenting, values, and sacred Jewish moments through interactive workshops and discussions.

Project SEED

The Jewish Education Project, in collaboration with Westchester Jewish Community Services, offers a collaborative multi-disciplinary program that supports several Westchester early-childhood center staff and parents to work more effectively with children who exhibit challenging behaviors.

Director’s Networks

The Jewish Education Project creates regional networks of early-childhood directors who explore topics to create more welcoming and inclusive communities for families. Directors are provided with materials, tools, and techniques for ongoing study with faculty during in-service training.

Communities of Practice (CoPs)

• The Kavanah Classroom meets regionally throughout the New York area and is designed for faculty who are interested in more intense exploration of core educational concepts and in taking leadership roles in their community.
• The Family Engagement and Outreach group meets regionally and is designed for institutions interested in exploring new strategies to find and engage families with young children.

Professional Days of Learning

The Jewish Education Project holds professional days of learning throughout the year for various regions and constituencies. These days of learning are part of a year-round educational strategy with early-childhood center directors.

Whole School Learning

The Jewish Education Project provides school faculties with resource materials to strengthen key concepts of professional development. Site visits, online communication, and consultations support school faculty learning during the year.

Consultations, Site Visits, and Online Communications

The Jewish Education Project provides schools with resources, site visits, and consultations for professional development.

Press:

• The Jewish Week—New 'Gateways' For Family Engagement