URJ Biennial 2009

The URJ Biennial took place in Toronto last week, November 4-8, 2009. Early Childhood had a significant presence there for the first time. About a dozen early childhood directors came to Toronto from coast to coast. We were inspired; we made connections, and we had a lot of fun.

For a sample of 2009 Biennial moments click on the following website and click on the "Memories" box. http://biennial.urj.org/

The people in the picture, from left to right, are Jill Cimifonte, Cathy Rolland, Tammy Vener, Sari Luck Schneider, Tricia Ginis, Edye Summerfield, and Norma Cahen. Also attending were Shelley Sender, Karen Goldstein, Nan Blank and Jill Band. All of us attended the Biennial and/or preceding Symposium.

The focus of the Symposium was on Jewish Identity and Identification. See more information at http://http//urj.org/learning/teacheducate/symposium/

Some of the highlights included outstanding musical moments with all of us singing and swaying arm in arm. There was traditional Jewish music, current and more camp-like music, Japanese drumming, Gospel music, Arabic/Muslim music. There was a feeling of hope and openness.

Study sessions were inspirational, taught by leaders in their fields. There was text study, history, and various other topics including ones for those involved with early education. There were also many inspirational moments of Tefila.

Perhaps most importantly, was the lunch we had with a representative of the Early Childhood Education Committee. We discussed the importance of providing rabbinical and cantorial students with information about early childhood; why the age group is critical for continuity and how to connect with that age group. We are hoping that there will be classes or seminars at HUC.

The next Biennial will be in Washington in 2011. We hope the influence of the ECERJ will grow and that more of us will be able to go and benefit from the power of the Biennial.