Educators and leaders from Early Childhood Centers across Greater MetroWest are invited to our biennial conference, If Not Now, When? Shaping Our Jewish Future. This event offers an opportunity to learn, be inspired, and connect with others in the field.
Our keynote, Wonder With Us: Mister Rogers’ Lessons For Young Learners (and Their Helpers, Too), will be with authors, Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski.
Please register below for the conference. Breakout session registration will open late September/early October. All registrants will receive an email with instructions to choose breakout sessions in advance.
*Kosher dietary laws observed
Questions? Please contact Emily Fox at [email protected].
View breakout session descriptions here.
Online registration is now closed.
The Early Childhood Day of Learning Conference is made possible by generous funding from the Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ and donors to the UJA Annual Campaign.
*The location and street address for Federation events will be emailed to each guest the day before the event, using the email address provided at registration.
Security at Federation Events
The Gloria and Jesse Weissberg Community Security Initiative (CSI) is coordinating all security with local, county, and state law enforcement. At every Federation event, all available resources are utilized to ensure your safety. Important items of note:
Building an inclusive community is a priority. Please email [email protected] to let us know if you require an accommodation to meaningfully participate in an event. One of our Federation professionals will reach out to you to learn more.
Presenter: Nancy Siegel
Session 1 or 2
30 participants per session
Based on Nancy’s recently published book, this workshop offers educators fun, age-appropriate yoga and mindfulness calming strategies to bring into their classrooms. Learning mindfulness through an evidence-based and playful lens also gives educators ways to become more present and self-aware themselves. This workshop includes games, exercises, and activities that can be implemented into the classroom, practical ways to promote group cohesion, and an exploration of the power and value of silence and stillness in the classroom.
Nancy Siegel began her career in the early childhood classroom and is now a nationally recognized presenter, teacher trainer, and instructor specializing in mindfulness education and children’s yoga teacher training. Her recently released book Breath by Breath: Bringing Yoga and Mindfulness into the Lives of Children (ages 3-12) is a manual to help educators bring more calm into the classroom. Nancy has a master’s in educational leadership, has completed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training, and is a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher Trainer.
Presenter: Reut Segall
Session 1
30 participants
This session will give teachers tools they can implement in their classes immediately for hello, goodbye and holiday songs and dances, as well as a traditional circle dance. Come to this workshop ready to move!
Reut Segall is a certified Israeli dance and Zumba Kids instructor who has been working in early childhood education since 2019. Reut leads a preschool-tailored program that promotes Hebrew learning in young kids through games, play, and movement. In her classes she incorporates Israeli culture, holidays, and Jewish values.
Presenter: Dana Blumberg
Session 1 or 2
20 participants per session
The foundation of what a child can learn in the classroom starts with how they experience the classroom. This session will provide a brief overview of sensory systems and how they impact learning and function in the classroom. Gain new perspective on how your students can get the most out of your curriculum with sensory activities and structuring your classroom with sensory systems in mind. Easy-to-implement strategies to support participation, independence and smooth transitions will be discussed and you’ll create a sensory glitter jar to take with you that can be used as a calming tool or a seek-and-find in your classroom.
Dana Blumberg is a pediatric occupational therapist and the owner/director of Positive Steps Pediatric Occupational Therapy Center, which she started in 2007 after spending many years working with children in schools, hospitals, home care and early intervention. A licensed Occupational Therapist in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Dana has been named a “NJ Favorite Kids’ Docs and Exceptional Healthcare Provider” each year since 2012 by New Jersey Family magazine. In addition to certification in Sensory Integration, Dana has completed a variety of continuing education courses.
Presenters: Olivia Kissin
Session 1 or 2
15 participants per session
Clean up, line up, pack up. . . the list goes on! Moving from one activity to another can be challenging, especially for young children. But with just a little reflection and planning, we can cultivate calmness as we support children in navigating these beginning and ending times within the school day. We’ll share simple tools and strategies to bring both meaning and fun to our classroom transitions. From incorporating mindfulness practices, to fingerplays, games and more, participants will come away with concrete ways to create a positive flow from one activity to the next. We’ll also gain a deeper appreciation of the benefits to be gained from carefully structuring our transitions — both for the children we serve and for ourselves.
Olivia Kissin has a master’s degree in early childhood education and is an early childhood teacher and consultant with more than 13 years of experience working with toddlers through first graders. Most recently she taught the Twos Together parent/caregiver and child class at Congregation Agudath Israel’s Early Childhood Center. As a Child Development Specialist, she currently serves children and families in the NJ Early Intervention System. Partnering with teachers to strengthen classroom management continues to be one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.
Presenter: Dr. Tamar Andrews
Session 1
50 participants
Ever feel like no one is listening to you? Wish you could get colleagues, family members, and students to listen to you and do what needs doing without repeating yourself? We will explore together how the brain works, the six triggers to manipulate others (in a good way), and Theory of Mind to help you understand how your brain, and the brains of others, work. Learn the role of cognitive functioning, vertical integration, memory, and intrinsic motivation in getting those around you to join, participate, and follow.
Tamar Andrews, Ph.D., has been working in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years, first as a classroom teacher before moving into early childhood administration at schools that were affiliated with Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox philosophies. She has served as the early childhood education director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles since 2003. Tamar has taught university courses and as a consultant and trainer, has spoken at over 400 conferences and symposia.
Presenter: Jahaira Ortiz
Session 1 or 2
20 participants per session
In this fun and engaging hands-on workshop, we will focus on sparking creativity through STEM activities, including honing geometry skills while building kooky characters, balancing forces with a tree-building challenge, and exploring literacy-based STEM projects using materials from 3Dux Design. Participants will experience a book and build activity, as well as a Sukkah Design/Build challenge, blending Jewish heritage with engineering. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to create, collaborate, and celebrate!
Jahaira Ortiz is the founder of Coding the Future, a small business that specializes in STEM, Coding & Robotics programs for young children. A teacher in the public sector for ten years, Jahaira has taught Pre-K and Kindergarten and has been a facilitator for STEM Programs and Coding Clubs for various grade levels. A single mother of three children, Jahaira loves technology, robotics and coding, listening to music and tinkering with her robots.
Presenter: Ronnie Becher
Session 1 or 2
20 participants per session
Enhance your holiday and secular classroom experiences as you learn an entertaining repertoire of new songs, finger plays, dances, and stories. You’ll leave this participatory workshop with a collection of motivating activities to amuse your students and enhance their learning.
Ronnie Becher has been involved in early childhood education since 1975. She is a founding member of JOFA, The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Association and is president of JECA, the Jewish Early Childhood Association. A frequent presenter at early childhood conferences, Ronnie was also the recipient of the prestigious Wexner Heritage Foundation Fellowship. Ronnie has served as the Educational Director of Beth El Nursery School for over 20 years and one of her greatest joys is coming to work and having the opportunity to interface with the children in her school.
Presenter: Treasure Cohen
Session 1 or 2
15 Participants per session
How can our learners make items that become part of their daily play, and that their parents will value enough to add to their Jewish treasure chest, all while learning by doing? Gain ideas and experiment with materials to bring back to your classroom so your learners can bring home quality “keeper” items, that are truly their original work. This session will give educators language and concepts to share with parents about what is coming home, including the idea of hiddur mitzvah, beautifying mitzvah and ritual items. Best of all, you’ll leave with your own teeny-tiny Torah and teeny-tiny ark to inspire your own Jewish treasure chest!
Treasure Cohen has an MA in special education and an Ed.M. in Jewish education. Treasure has worked as an early childhood teacher, special educator, Jewish educator, Jewish educational consultant, and as a college professor until her recent retirement. Treasure served as the Director of Jewish Family and community education at MetroWest Federation (Jewish Education Association) and has worked with synagogues and schools across MetroWest to create meaningful family education programs.
Presenter: Madeleine Leder
Session 1 or 2
20 participants per session
Madeleine Leder, Teaching Beyond the Square coach and former chef, takes children’s inherent love of cooking and expands this interest into deeper explorations of food, culture, health, and science. Cooking with children has so many incredible benefits ranging from academic and social/emotional to fine and gross motor, and in this workshop, you’ll learn to be more comfortable with cooking and how to inspire your students’ sense of wonder in the classroom kitchen!
Madeleine Leder has a master’s degree in early childhood education with a thesis in early and pre-literacy. Currently the Executive Director of Education for the West Orange and Livingston Goddard Schools, she previously worked for ten years at Beginnings Nursery School in Manhattan. Madeline is passionate about literacy and has loved cooking since she was a child.
Presenter: Nan Sumner
Session 1 or 2
25 participants per session
Imagine a classroom without walls—where the engagement is sustained in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Bringing the classroom outside provides an opportunity to enhance learning through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences. In this session, we’ll explore creative strategies and activities to merge traditional indoor subjects with the natural world. We will touch upon all four seasons and strengthen our understanding on how to engage children more deeply while fostering their physical, social, and emotional growth. Come dressed to play in the great outdoors!
Nan Sumner is an experienced early childhood educator and international conference speaker with over 28 years of expertise in the field. As the Director of Early Childhood Education at Barnert Temple Preschool, she is dedicated to empowering educators and fostering professional growth. A long time Reggio and nature inspired enthusiast, Nan specializes in nature-based learning. With a deep commitment to ongoing professional development, Nan continues to inspire and lead the next generation of educators in early childhood education.
Presenter: Alexis Gruber
Session 1 or 2
15 participants per session
A meaningful, fun, engaging and on-going Israel curriculum is attainable in your early childhood classroom! This session will provide ideas, tips, templates, suggestions, and more for infusing Israel into your curriculum. Learn how to teach about Israel (the land, the language, the people, and so much more) through an array of modalities that you can personalize and adapt in ways that speak to you and your students and that complements your existing curriculum… long before you board that plane in May on the annual “El Al trip to Israel!” Alexis will share how she has created consistent, age-appropriate lessons about Israel using books, songs, nature, games, art, and academics, and hopefully, inspire you to do the same.
Alexis Gruber has been a passionate Jewish educator for over 20 years. She believes that learning, in general, and especially learning about being Jewish, should be full of joy! Alexis has taught Pre-K Judaic Studies at Golda Och Academy for the past 12 years, and also teaches a monthly Kindergarten class at Congregation Agudath Israel, where she and her family are members. Alexis has a master’s in social work and a Certificate in Jewish Communal Service.
Presenter: Dr. Angela Fisher-Solomon
Session 1
40 participants
This session will introduce Magda Gerber’s Educaring (Educate + Care) Approach – to see young children as competent and capable humans from birth. We will explore Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE)’s brief history and guiding principles to support healthy infant and caregiver relationships. This interactive session will highlight the basic philosophy of the Educaring Approach to support professionals in treating infants with respect and encourage their natural abilities in center-based care. Attendees hold critical roles in supporting infant and toddler development through engaging in high quality interactions, respectful caregiving practices, and continuity of care. Your roles and relationships are important!
Presenter: Dr. Angela Fisher-Solomon
Session 2
40 participants
Research shows that how we care for a baby influences their entire life in profound ways. This session explores the importance of understanding Reseach for Infant Educarers (RIE)’s humanistic therapeutic approach to Educaring (Educate + Care), a research-based scientific approach to treating infants and toddlers with a profound depth of respect to support their healthiest and highest level of authenticity as social beings across cultures. We will explore how RIE’s fundamental guiding principles strengthen infant and caregiver relationships. Participants will unpack components to set up safe, carefully designed environments, slow down during caregiving routines, and discuss how limit setting leads to healthier interactions with less behaviors that challenge.
Angela Fisher-Solomon, Ph.D., IMHM(e) is an Infant Developmental Psychologist and Parent-Infant Specialist with over 20 years of experience. Angela has vast early childhood and professional development experience, has served as an adjunct-professor, and currently works as a Research Scientist and Early Childhood Consultant in private practice. She is a New Jersey certified Infant Mental Health Specialist Mentor, one of only 85 RIE Associates, and is a former RIE Board of Directors member. She is committed to strengthening adult-infant toddler relationships through an equitable lens of relationship-based practices, cultural diversity, and respectful interactions.
Presenter: Tamara Rebick
Session 1 & 2 – Participants must register to attend both sessions
20 participants total, by invitation only
This two-part session is for new directors, assistant directors and rising administrative leaders in Early Childhood Education and will serve as a preview for a future leadership cohort, scheduled to launch in 2025. Throughout the cohort, participants will cultivate new leadership skills relevant to their professional roles, learn how to foster high performance, and nurture collaboration. The conference sessions will serve as an introduction to the cohort experience, with an opportunity to meet fellow colleagues, discuss shared opportunities and challenges, and learn about this upcoming professional journey. Participation in this two-part leadership session and subsequent cohort is by invitation only.
Tamara Rebick is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of CORIPHERY Holistic Consulting Solutions, a social-impact consulting agency that supports local, national and global Jewish organizations. She advises leaders on program optimization, engagement strategy, organizational culture, and designing transformative experiences. A specialist in relational engagement, experiential Jewish education, change strategy, and human centered design, Tamara facilitates visioning sessions and community building experiences. Tamara has a M.Ed. in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE/University of Toronto with a focus on Workplace Learning & Change, a certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, certificates in Adaptive Leadership, Storytelling, Social Entrepreneurship, Business Models for Social Enterprise and Professional Virtual Event Planning.