There are some things that are just core to what we do as Jewish early childhood educators. The rhythms of the Jewish year imbue our schools with an energy that becomes a part of us. Among those rhythms is the celebration of Israel’s birthday in the spring. By the time spring comes, we often feel that this topic deserves a more extended treatment. This is why we are beginning to think about it during winter!
When it comes to understanding Judaism's big ideas, hands-on rituals, and the emergent classroom investigations that flow from them, there is much to learn for novice and veteran educators alike. How do we welcome and embrace the holidays without putting the curriculum on hold?
Our belief that children are created in God’s image compels us to hone pedagogical skills that are worthy of them—and of our own divine potential as educators.
Facilitated by
Judi Morosohk has been in the field of early childhood education for 45 years as a therapeutic teacher, ECE director, consultant, coach, and trainer. She held the position of Pedagogical Director of the Efshar Project, from its inception in July 2008 through July 2022, supporting Jewish ECE centers in the Denver/Boulder community in growing their knowledge and skills of progressive educational practices in working with young children and their families, as well as supporting schools in seamlessly weaving Jewish values into everything they do.
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She continues to work for the project as their lead coach. Judi holds an MA in Educational Psychology with certification in Early Childhood/Special Education from the University of Colorado at Denver and a BS in Elementary/Special Education from the University of Delaware.
Veronica Maravankin is vice president of the Sheva Center for Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement at JCC Association of North America. She previously served as the early childhood director at the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, Florida, for 12 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Club Nautico Hacoaj in Argentina, and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. One of the original architects of the Sheva Early Learning Framework, she served as a member of the Sheva faculty for over four years. She is a native of Argentina.
Lisa Kuh has experience with young children and adult learners as an instructional coach, classroom teacher, teacher educator, university professor and researcher, and professional developer. She was the Director of Early Education for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts, and worked with public, center-based, and Head Start preschool programs to create access to high quality early education opportunities. Dr. Kuh has been part of faculty at Tufts University, University of New Hampshire, and Lesley University.
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She is the author of Complementary Curriculum Approach: Transform Your Practice Through Intentional Teaching and Thinking Critically About Environments for Young Children. She has published and presented on the impact of outdoor playspaces and classroom environments for young children, teacher professional development, documentation, Montessori education, anti‐bias education, as well as literacy and math content. Lisa is passionate about how children think and learn, as well as how adults grow and change in their practice.