modern Jewish family - Judith Glasser, Ph.D.

the
modern Jewish family
Early Childhood
Jewish Education
Conference 2011
December 8, 2011
12 Kislev 5772
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
B’nai Israel Congregation
6301 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852
Schedule of the Day
8 - 8:30 a.m.
8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Registration
Opening Remarks
Awards
Keynote Address “Stay Tuned”
by The Parent’s Perspective
Musical Tribute to
Debbie Friedman
9:45 - 10 a.m.
Snacks on the Go
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Session I
11:30 - 12:15 p.m.
Lunch
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Walk to Second Session
12:30 - 2 p.m.
Session II
2 - 2:15 p.m.
Walk to Final Session
2:15 - 3 p.m.
Reflection Sessions
Session Descriptions
The workshops in this booklet represent three major themes:
Modern Family - sessions that address family life in our times
ESP Well-Being - sessions that address Emotional, Spiritual and Physical Health
of children and their families
Communication - sessions that will help us increase our ability to communicate
with families.
Please note the categories when picking your sessions.
All registrations are submitted by school.
Please consult with your director to review your workshop selections for both
morning and afternoon sessions.
Please note: Final Reflection Session will be with your director and full school staff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Permission to use photos of individuals
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Learning’s meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant
or attendee to the Partnership’s use and distribution (both now and in the future)
of the registrant’s or attendee’s images, likeness, and appearance in photographs
and videos of such events and activities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning welcomes and supports children and
adults with disabilities, as well as their families. We strive to ensure our programs
and facilities are accessible to all. Please contact 240-283-6200 if you have any
questions or concerns regarding access or participation.
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Full Day Session
1) Using a Jewish Prism to Reflect on Today’s Modern Jewish Family:
A Three Hour Intensive Morning and Afternoon Session
Modern Family
Cathy Rolland, Union for Reform Judaism, Director of Early Childhood Education/Early
Engagement Specialist
In this two part intensive session, we will take the time to reflect on how Judaism
provides a distinctive perspective for dealing with the many challenges facing today’s
“modern Jewish family.” Parenting a child is an experience that, at its core, involves
a mixture of love intertwined with worry. By exploring our own experiences, both
personally and professionally, our goal is to give both tools and permission for each of
us to emerge with our own unique approach to keeping our youngest students and their
families engaged in our programs while providing some measure of insight, guidance,
and encouragement. The extended time will give us an opportunity to reflect and create
as a learning community as well as individually.
About Cathy: Cathy Rolland is the director of early childhood education and the early
engagement specialist for the Union for Reform Judaism. She provides assistance to
affiliated congregations by providing consultation in the following areas: strengthening
existing early childhood curricula; visioning the future of established early childhood
programs; and launching new early childhood centers. Cathy oversees the publication of
early childhood resources at the Union for Reform Judaism including GOT SHABBAT,
Holiday Happenings and the Ganeinu. Cathy was a founding member and the first
president of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism, (ECE-RJ) the newest
affiliate of the Union. She served as the director of Mountain Top School for Young
Children at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, New Jersey for eleven years. Cathy and
her husband reside in Watchung, New Jersey with their three sons and chocolate lab,
Maggie Denali.
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Morning Sessions
2) The Hidden Disability: Learning and Understanding
About Mental Health and Stigma
ESP Well-Being
Dara Baylinson, Family Coordinator, NAMI, Montgomery County
Time and again, studies have shown that one out of every four families has a member
coping with a mental illness. Everybody knows somebody. Every community is affected.
By increasing awareness about mental illness and the stigma it carries, teachers can
better understand how to work with families who may be impacted by these difficult
diseases. Participants will receive an overview of the major mental illnesses in order to
understand and recognize them. Stigma will be discussed and workplace issues relating
to mental health will be highlighted.
About Dara: Dara Baylinson is the family programs coordinator at the National Alliance
on Mental Illness of Montgomery County. She received her masters of arts in counseling
from The George Washington University. Prior to working at NAMI MC, she worked as
a school counselor for Fairfax County Public Schools and she also worked as a counselor
in private practice. Since 1978, NAMI MC has provided self-help, support, education
and advocacy for people with serious and persistent mental illnesses (often called
“consumers”), their families, friends and caregivers.
3) Settling In: Building Relationships and Community with Families
Communication
Marley T. Joyce, Head of School, St. John’s Episcopal Pre-School
Rita P. Smith, Pre-School Teacher, St. John’s Episcopal Pre-School
Starting a school year with new and returning families is a delicate process that requires
planning, organization, care and thought. Whether it is a child’s first time at school or reentry after a long summer vacation, the first few weeks of school set the tone for the year.
Our presentation, “Settling In: Building Relationships and Community with Families”
looks at this transition from the perspective of the role of the environment, parents,
materials, and documentation. It unravels the process of welcoming families that begins
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long before the child’s first day, and continues throughout the year. This workshop will
examine how we can take one of the cornerstones of the Reggio Emilia approach and use
it in our American context. Whether you are Reggio inspired or not, you will find this
session appropriate to your context.
About Marley: Marley Joyce has been the head of school at St. John’s Episcopal PreSchool for the past six years. Previously, Marley was an early childhood educator at St.
Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and an independent private tutor for children ages five
through 12 years. Marley has been teaching and working with children and parents
in the field of early childhood education for twenty years. Creating an environment of
openness, where parents feel welcome and part of the educational process, is important
to Marley as she believes the connection between home and school is a strong element
influencing the development of experiences in the classroom. Marley is the mother of
two sons and has lived in Washington, D.C. for many years.
About Rita: Rita Smith has been a pre-school teacher at St. John’s Pre-School for 11 years.
St. John’s is a Reggio inspired school in Washington, D.C. Prior to St. John’s, she was the
head of school at The Children’s House, a pre-school in Newburyport, MA for 25 years.
4) When a Child is Seriously Ill: Early Childhood Community Support
ESP Well-Being
Panel Moderated by Fran Pfeffer, Early Childhood Director, Temple Rodef Shalom
Panel: Parents Neely and Jonathan Agin,
Teachers Jessica Weckstein and Cinnamon Welland
Providing support for the increasing number of families facing the serious illness of
a child can be a challenge. We all want to help but are unsure of how to approach
the child, siblings, parents and other family members. Additionally, we must deal
sensitively with other families in the school, as well as staff members. This workshop
will give information and tools to teachers and administrators who are faced with this
most difficult situation.
About Fran: Fran Pfeffer is the director of Temple Rodef Shalom Early Childhood
Programs. Her long career in early childhood and Jewish family education includes
positions in California and Virginia. She has participated in the Partnership’s Israel and
Reggio study tours. This is Fran’s sixth year at TRSNS (Temple Rodef Shalom Nursery
School).
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About Neely and Jonathan: Jonathan and Neely Agin, both practicing attorneys in
Washington, D.C., are the parents of Alexis and Gabriel Agin. Alexis was diagnosed
with brain cancer in April 2008 at age two while attending a Mommy and Me program
at TRSNS, and continued to attend TRSNS through May 2010. Alexis passed away in
January 2011. The Agins’ son, Gabriel, is two and-a-half and continues to attend TRSNS.
About Jessica: Jesse Weckstein is in her seventh year teaching three and four year-olds at
Temple Rodef Shalom Nursery School. She graduated from Longwood University with
a Pre-K through eighth grade certification and taught at Waldorf-inspired schools in
California before moving back to Virginia to work at TRSNS and Religious School. Jesse
was Alexis’ teacher during the 2009-10 school year when Alexis celebrated her fourth
birthday.
About Cinnamon: Cinnamon Welland just started her ninth year at Temple Rodef
Shalom Nursery School, her eighth year as a lead teacher. Cinnamon places a high value
on children’s capabilities and believes they can readily build their own knowledge in an
emergent-curriculum based classroom. Cinnamon was Alexis’ teacher during the 200809 school year when Alexis celebrated her third birthday.
5) “Have you got a Minute?”— Building and Sustaining Relationships
with All Parents
Communication
Shelley F. Remer, Early Childhood Consultant Relationships begin long before the Parent/Teacher Conference. This session will focus
on the importance and “ins and outs” of building and sustaining relationships with
parents. Discussions will focus on insights to human behaviors along with practical
suggestions for those day-to-day interactions. (This session will be offered in the
afternoon as well.)
About Shelley: Shelley Remer received her masters in education from the University of
Maryland. She was the director of Adas Israel Gan for 20 years, retiring at the end of the
2011 school year. Before life at the Gan, Shelley was the director of Kehilat Shalom PreSchool, a teacher at Beth Shalom Learning Center and a public school teacher. Shelley
was a very active member of the Partnership’s Early Childhood Directors Council, where
she served as co-chair and leader of the Partnership’s New Directors Mentor Program.
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She has been a participant in many Partnership programs and learning opportunities
and served on numerous early childhood committees. Shelley has held leadership
positions both locally and nationally.
6) My Other House: Pre-Schoolers in Blended Families
Modern Family
Judith M. Glasser, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Raising children is never easy. However, parenting in blended families raises special
concerns. Blended families are those in which there is an adult couple in a home in
which at least one of the adults has a child from a prior relationship. Some couples are
married, others are not. In some families only one parent has children; in other families
both parents have children. Then sometimes the couple has additional children together.
A child’s family tree can become quite intricate with many branches. The different
parenting arrangements can be staggering in complexity. Pre-school children can react to
these different homes and parenting arrangements in different ways. In addition, these
different types of families impose different demands on teachers and schools. The issues
concerning blended families will be discussed from the point of view of the child and
the school.
About Judith: Judith M. Glasser, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in Silver Spring, MD.
She attended Oberlin College in Ohio where she obtained a B.A. in psychology in 1972.
She returned to Washington for graduate school and received her Ph.D. in clinical
psychology in 1979 from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. For
many years, she combined private practice in Northern Virginia with raising her two
children who are now adults. From 2009-10, she served as director of child and family
services for the Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland. Judith returned to solo private
practice in Silver Spring, MD in September, 2010. She lectures widely on the topic of
special needs and divorce and has extensive experience assisting blended families.
Judith and her husband, John Spiegel, have given a series of presentations at major
conferences on providing accommodations in mediation to meet the special needs of
people with learning disabilities and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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7) What Helps, What Hurts: Parents of Children with Special Needs
Share Stories from the Pre-K Classroom
ESP Well-Being
Kathleen Dodson Greenberg, Parent, Special Needs Children
Panel: Dr. Joyce Migdal, Shelly Kupfer, Lisa Coredell, Melanie Palance, Katie Smythe
Newman
A panel of parents of children who have special needs will describe their varied
experiences navigating relationships with pre-school teachers and directors. Participants
will hear parents’ perspectives on what types of information and communication are
productive — and what are not — to support the development of the child. A question
and answer period will follow the parent presentations.
About Kathleen: Kathleen Dodson Greenberg is a member of the Board of Ambassadors
of Project RESTORE, which supports Johns Hopkins Neurology in the areas of research
and clinical care for Multiple Sclerosis and Transverse Myelitis. She also serves as
committee chair for the Carol Pitchersky Development Fellowship, a program of the
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Education Fund. Kathleen is the
parent of Remy (McLean School of Maryland Class of 2014) and Hayley (Field School
Class of 2017). Both of her children attended synagogue-based pre-schools and seven
years of elementary school at the Jewish Primary Day School. Kathleen and her husband
Eric founded the Mara Bier Professional Development Scholarship seven years ago to
honor Mara’s commitment to support children with special needs and their families.
About Joyce: Dr. Joyce Migdal is a licensed clinical psychologist in Maryland and
Virginia and has a small private practice specializing in infertility related services.
She lives in Chevy Chase, MD, with her husband and her two children. Her daughter
is 18, and a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis and her son is 16, and a
sophomore at the Katherine Thomas High School in Rockville, MD. Both children were
adopted as infants.
About Shelly: Shelly Kupfer is the mother of Danielle (15), Adam (12) and Andrew
(9). Her children attend three different schools: Maret School, Sulam at the Hebrew
Academy and the Jewish Primary Day School (JPDS). All three of her children attended
pre-school at Gan at Adas Israel Congregation. Shelly is the current co-chair of National
Young Leadership for the Jewish Federations of North America. She is on the board of
the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and has served on the boards of the JPDS
and the Partnership. Shelly is the owner of The Paper Chase, a stationery and gifts
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business in Chevy Chase, MD.
About Lisa: Lisa Coredell is a mom to two daughters, ages one and six. She also works
part-time as an attorney with the D.C. office of Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice.
Lisa’s older daughter is twice-exceptional, being profoundly gifted, as well as having
ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing, vision and developmental coordination issues and
food allergies, all of which impact both her education and daily living. Her daughter
has attended several schools. Lisa currently co-chairs the Special Needs Committee at
Congregation B’nai Tzedek and routinely attends classes and workshops on special
needs issues. In addition, Lisa, who grew up in Montgomery County, MD, has a brother
who has severe disabilities and has ties to various Jewish and secular organizations that
work with special needs children and adults. Lisa is honored to speak with this audience
and believes that the early childhood years are so critical to educational and life success.
About Melanie: Melanie and Michael Palance are parents of Maxwell Palance, born on
July 7, 2007. Max started at Temple Beth Ami Nursery School when he was 26 months
old. He attended the school for two years with the same teaching team. He is now
four years old and is enrolled in the early intervention Pre-K program at The Katherine
Thomas School. Max has been in multiple therapies at Integrated/Developmental
Therapy Services (ITS/DTS) in Kensington, MD since December of 2009. Max is
extraordinarily bright and is well above average cognitively. He is charming and is
bursting with enthusiasm and energy! Max is also almost always misunderstood by
those who do not truly know him. He has developmental delays and unique challenges
in the areas of sensory processing, activity level, impulsivity, language formulation,
abnormal auditory perception and anxiety.
About Katie: Katie Smythe Newman is mom to Max, age 13, Maizie, age 10, and
Shayna, age three. Max was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age three when
attending Ohr Kodesh Early Childhood Center. His parents had suspected something
was different about Max at 18 months. By his second year of pre-school, the teachers
and director as well as a private psychologist urged for Max to be evaluated at Kennedy
Krieger in Baltimore, as well as through the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers
Program — both confirmed Asperger’s to be the diagnosis. Though Max was a sweet,
gentle child, the director and teacher considered removing Max because they were not
sure they could handle a child with Asperger’s. Instead, a shadow teacher was hired
for Max. He attended JPDS from second to sixth grade, again with a shadow teacher.
He currently attends seventh grade at The Ivymount School in the Model Asperger’s
program, no longer with a shadow teacher. And, while not without challenges, his
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experience at Ivymount has been positive overall. His sister Maizie is in fifth grade at
the Maret School and his sister Shayna is in the three year-old program at Temple Sinai
Nursery School. Both girls are “neurotypical!”
8) Come Join Us! Involving Families in Our Classrooms and Programs
in Meaningful Ways
Communication
Jacky Howell, M.A., Early Childhood Education Consultant
This session will look at ways we can involve family members in our classrooms beyond
just a field trip chaperone or attending the Shabbat dinner. Come learn about a variety of
ways we can encourage involvement that is meaningful for the classroom setting as well
as for family members.
About Jacky: Jacky Howell, M.A., has been working in the field of early childhood
education for over 35 years. She has been a pre-school and kindergarten teacher and
director. She taught the 90-hour course for over 28 years and has delivered keynote
speeches as well as a variety of workshops locally and around the world. She currently
works as a technical assistant and consultant in pre-school classrooms throughout the
D.C. metro area. Jacky still conducts workshops and presentations on a variety of topics.
She has published three articles and looks forward to writing a book.
9) “Parents? I Thought I Was Teaching Young Children!”
Communication
Michelle Stravitz, Parent Coach, Hold My Hand Coaching, LLC
Who is the Jewish pre-school parent of today? What influences are changing the face
of the parents at our schools? How has our society affected their perspectives? Why
do they need you so much? How have professional lives of these parents changed the
nature of what you are dealing with? Where are they getting their information? What
do they want from you and why? Michelle Stravitz, certified parent coach, helps you
navigate the nuances of a 21st century parent, sharing insights that she has learned
through workshops and coaching sessions with moms and dads, to help you understand
how they think and how you might respond. (This session will be offered in the
afternoon as well.)
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About Michelle: Michelle Stravitz is a PCI-certified parent coach who enjoys helping
Jewish parents be the best parents they really want to be. She has worked with parents of
children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, with couples, groups, and individuals.
Michelle is also a trained workshop facilitator, has completed doctoral-level studies in
organizational behavior and group dynamics, and has conducted focus groups, training,
and workshops with a variety of audiences and venues. Most recently in 2010 and
2011, she led a new parent workshop at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue entitled: “Hopes
and Dreams: Raising Jewish Children with Intention, a Workshop for New Parents.”
Michelle has served as a committed volunteer in the Jewish community for many years,
including leadership positions at Gesher Jewish Day School, Olam Tikvah Pre-school,
and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She has a passion for strengthening
the Jewish community and connecting with Israel. Michelle has four children ranging in
age from 10 to 18, and she currently lives in Fairfax, VA with her husband and family.
10) Parenting in an Age of Anxiety
ESP Well-Being
Kay Kosak Abrams, Ph.D., Psychologist and Director, Abrams & Associates, Center for
Family Psychotherapy
Parents today are managing children in a culture of anxiety, related to the psychology of
getting it “right” and needing children to “succeed.” In this workshop, Dr. Kay Abrams
will share her work on how to manage children with a sense of calm authority, with
examples of reactive versus mindful parenting. Dr. Abrams will review how to connect
behavioral choices to outcome in a manner that encourages cooperation. You will learn
some breath-body techniques to help children and parents release stress and enhance a
sense of well-being. Dr. Abrams will answer all questions you may have about various
manifestations of anxiety expressed in children and in families. A focus of this session
will be to offer tips for what to advise families for how to reduce anxiety in the family
system so children can flourish developmentally. (This session will be offered in the
afternoon as well.)
About Kay: Dr. Kay Kosak Abrams is a clinical psychologist who has been in private
practice since 1993, providing psychotherapy to adults, couples/families and children/
teens. She is the founder and director of Abrams & Associates, LLC, Center for Family
Psychotherapy in Kensington, MD. In her effort to bring psychology to the community,
Kay speaks and writes on behalf of the Media Division of the American Psychological
Association. She also supervises newly licensed psychologists on behalf of the Maryland
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Psychological Association. In 2003, she established a column in The Washington
Parent Magazine with a corresponding lecture and CD series titled “Parenting with
Confidence.” Kay earned her masters in 1987 and her doctorate from the University of
Maryland in 1991.
11) A Pre-School Teacher’s Guide to Separation and Divorce
Modern Family
John Spiegel, Family Mediator
Donna Duquette, Family Mediator
Fortunately or unfortunately, marital separation and divorce have become a prominent
factor in the day-to-day functioning of a modern pre-school. Yet pre-school teachers
are rarely provided systematic training concerning separation and divorce. In this
workshop, two experienced attorney-mediators will discuss the emotional and legal
aspects of separation and divorce, with a focus on the practical problems that separation
and divorce presents in pre-schools. The workshop will include Q&A time for the
questions about separation and divorce that you’ve long wondered about, but haven’t
had an opportunity to ask.
About John: John Spiegel is an experienced family-law attorney who has devoted his
practice exclusively to family and divorce mediation since 1996. A graduate of Yale Law
School, he served as adjunct professor of law at American University and has taught
mediation and conflict resolution courses at the University of Maryland, School of Social
Work and at the University of Maryland, College Park. During the past three years,
John and his wife, Judith Glasser, Ph.D., have given a series of presentations at major
conferences around the United States and Canada on providing accommodations in
mediation to meet the special needs of people with learning disabilities and/or attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
About Donna: Donna Duquette is a family mediator, attorney and teacher. Her private
mediation practice is devoted primarily to mediation for separation and divorce. She
is recognized as a certified mediator by the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution.
Donna has taught conflict resolution courses at the University of Maryland, College
Park, and has presented workshops at national conferences and to a wide variety of
governmental, religious and educational organizations.
John and Donna have a family mediation practice (www.mediationoffice.net) in
Rockville, MD.
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12) Doubling the Odds
Modern Family
Allan Shedlin, Jr., Founder and President, DADS Unlimited & REEL Fathers TM
Fathers matter to children; children matter to fathers; and families, schools and
communities are better off when fathers are positively involved in a child’s life. Allan
shares: 1) what he has learned about the importance of father engagement from his
years as an educator, dad and granddad, and 15 years of qualitative research he has
conducted with children and fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers in three
countries; 2) highlights from a growing research base supporting father engagement;
and 3) a program from REEL FATHERS that gets dads to show up at nursery school for
the benefit of kids, dads, schools and families.
About Allan: Allan Shedlin, Jr., has used his entrepreneurial, consulting and
administrative skills throughout his 40-year career working with children of all ages,
families and those who serve them. Through his frequent broadcast interviews, speaking
engagements, video productions and published commentary, he has steadily established
a broad national platform as an authority on parenting, education and child-focused
public policy. Allan founded and served as executive director of the New York-based
National Elementary School Center (NESC) from 1985 through 1994. Dedicated to
the optimal development and learning of every child and to helping professionals
and the public address children’s needs, NESC’s interdisciplinary focus stimulated
the collaboration of child-serving professionals in education, health, social services,
government and business, together with families and the public.
His commentaries have been distributed by The New York Times News Service,
Hearst Newspapers, The Cox News Service, and have appeared in such publications
as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle,
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Ventura County Star (CA), Beaumont Enterprise (TX) and
numerous other local papers and newsletters. Allan has written for such professional
publications as Education Week, Phi Delta KAPPAN, and Principal magazine. He also
has produced an online column, “FamilySense,” as a special project for the Benton
Foundation in Washington, D.C., and authored two regular columns — “Raising
Families” and “Daddying.” He was the featured Father’s Day guest on Voice of
America’s international call-in program, “Talk To America.”
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13) The New Jewish Mom
Modern Family
Meredith Jacobs, Managing Editor, Washington Jewish Week, Author
Debbie Sokobin, Facilitator of the Mother’s Circle at the JCCGW
There’s a new Mom or Dad at Shabbat sing — the non-Jewish parent who is committed
to raising his/her children Jewishly. What do we need to know about them and what
can we learn from them? Gain insight and learn more about the Mothers Circle program
from Meredith and Debbie. What are the thoughts, questions and anxieties that the
non-Jewish parent brings to the child raising issues of a family? What are the strengths?
How are we as Jewish educators prepared to welcome and interact with the non-Jewish
parent? This session will discuss this growing family constitution in our schools and
help us learn the best ways to include all families of the children we teach.
About Meredith: Meredith Jacobs, Managing Editor of Washington Jewish Week is the
author of The Modern Jewish Mom’s Guide to Shabbat (Harper) and Just Between Us:
A No-stress, No-rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms (Chronicle). Known as the
“Modern Jewish Mom,” she has spoken for Jewish women’s groups around the country
and has a bi-weekly commentary on WYPR-FM. Before joining WJW, she created family
programs at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue and facilitated the D.C. Mother’s Circle. She is
on the Boards of Trustees of Jewish Women International and Jewish Outreach Institute.
About Debbie: Debbie W. Sokobin is the director of Jewish learning, senior services and
interfaith resources for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington. She has an
M.A. from Brandeis University’s Benjamin S. Hornstein Program in Jewish communal
service. She has spent the past 25 years working in adult Jewish education.
14) The Challenge of Food Allergies in the Classroom
ESP Well-Being
Emily Greenberger, M.S.W., LCSW-C Clinical Social Worker, School Counselor
Teachers face many challenges with a food-allergic child in their classroom. In this
workshop, you will learn about the development of food allergies in children, strategies
for safe practices in the classroom, methods of inclusion of the food-allergic child and
best practices for building a partnership with parents of food-allergic children. We will
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also talk about the various reactions, both positive and negative, from the parents of
non-allergic children to all of the allergic accommodations we ask them to make.
About Emily: Emily Greenberger, LCSW-C is a clinical social worker practicing as a
school counselor in Howard County, MD. She provides individual and group counseling
to students in pre-school through fifth grade. She also provides parent education and
support, teacher consultation and community referrals to the school community. Ms.
Emily has experience working in public and private schools, as well as outpatient mental
health clinics, counseling children, adolescents, adults and families. She is very active
in FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Emily has spoken on behalf of
FAAN about the social and emotional impact of food allergies on children and their
families. She has three children, one of whom has food allergies.
15) Making the Modern Jewish Family Welcome in Our Schools
Modern Family
Rabbi Victor S. Appell, Marketing Specialist, Union for Reform Judaism
The modern Jewish family is a diverse Jewish family. How can we let the modern Jewish
family know they will be welcome in our schools and institutions? We will discuss
ways to welcome families in our schools such as welcoming and inclusive messages
on our websites, in our materials, in our classrooms and even in our hallways. How do
we honor the diversity of Jewish families in our classrooms? By creating a classroom
that celebrates and respects diversity. In this workshop, we will explore both inclusive
marketing techniques and best practices for classrooms. (This session will be offered in
the afternoon as well.)
About Victor: Rabbi Victor S. Appell is the marketing and outreach specialist for the
Union for Reform Judaism, the organizing body for Reform synagogues in North
America. The Union serves over 900 member congregations. Prior to becoming a
rabbi, Victor enjoyed a decade long career in sales and marketing, specializing in
licensed products. After deciding to pursue a life-long dream of becoming a rabbi, he
was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1999. Victor
brings together his background in marketing and his interest in creating welcoming
congregations to assist synagogues and religious schools in creating inviting and
inclusive environments. He is a frequent contributor to RJBlog and writes and speaks
frequently on the new Jewish family, particularly LGBT families, families created
though adoption, interracial families, and Jews of color. In addition, he is the author
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of the “Think Small” sections in many of the Union for Reform Judaism’s synagogue
management resources. His writings have appeared in Achim Magazine, Torat Chayim,
Ten Minutes of Torah, Kulanu Handbook, The Gender Gap, and The Still Small Voice Reflections on Being a Jewish Man. This session is appropriate for staff from schools of all
affiliations and will discuss both common and unique aspects of each movement.
16) But What If I’m Wrong? – What is Child Abuse and What Should I
Do If I Suspect It?
ESP Well-Being
Cheryl Banks, Head of Community Resources for Montgomery County Office of Child
Protective Services
Child abuse is generally defined as any act or conduct that endangers or impairs a
child’s physical or emotional health or development. Child abuse includes any damage
done to a child that cannot be reasonably explained and is often represented by an injury
or series of injuries appearing to be intentional or deliberate in nature. Child abuse
includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect (which is the failure
to provide a minimum standard of care for a child’s physical and emotional needs). Preschool teachers are often the first to suspect a case of child abuse and can also be the first
to miss it. In this session we will learn what constitutes child abuse, how to recognize
child abuse, what to do if you suspect it and what your legal rights and your obligations
are. We will learn about child abuse rules and regulations in all of our jurisdictions as
well as discuss the responsibility and emotional reactions common amongst pre-school
teachers. Information will be available from all our jurisdictions about laws and practice.
About Cheryl: Cheryl Banks has been a community educator for the Department of
Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Services in Montgomery County, MD, since
1989. She has provided over 1,000 programs to parents, community members, students
and professionals on a variety of topics, including “Recognizing and Reporting Child
Abuse and Neglect,” “Stresses of Parenting,” “Teaching My Child Self-Protection” and
“Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent.” She has created campaigns to bring awareness
to child welfare issues, such as “Leaving Children Unattended: Careless, Cruel and
Criminal” and “Children Model What They See…What Will Your Kids Learn to Be?”
She coordinates the Adopt-A-Social Worker Program, which links community members
with social workers to provide goods and services to children and their families, and
the Generous Juror Program, which allocates donated funds for goods and services
expressly for children and youth receiving services from Child Welfare Services. Cheryl
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has a bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
17) My House Shall Be a House for All People
Modern Family
Rabbi Toby Manewith, Bet Mishpachah Congregation
One who learns from another a single chapter, or a single law, a single verse or a single word, or
even a single letter, one must treat this person with respect. –Talmud
What does it mean to be inclusive? Who is welcomed into our Jewish community?
How do we communicate “welcomeness” to families and individuals? Our Jewish
community is changing. Are we? This workshop will present points of view from the
“inside” — through the eyes of a rabbi and from the “outside” — through the eyes of a
parent of an internationally adopted child. We will discuss what it means to be single,
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT), adopted, interfaith and more in our Jewish
community today. Are our doors open? Do people know it is okay to knock? What
is the role on an early childhood program in this process? This workshop will be both
presentation and open to discussion.
About Toby: Rabbi Toby Manewith grew up in Chicago and considers herself a city
person at heart. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science and the history
and literature of religions from Northwestern University. She studied at Hebrew Union
College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem and Cincinnati, earning a master of
arts in hebrew letters and rabbinic ordination. For the past number of years, Toby has
worked as an independent Jewish educational consultant, writing curricula and teaching
for many organizations including: The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington,
the Professional Leaders’ Project, Smithsonian Resident Associates, Moving Traditions,
the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the DCJCC. Before coming to
Bet Mishpachah, Toby was the associate rabbi at Temple Micah, a reform Jewish
congregation located in D.C. Outside of her professional life, she is active in community
organizations, serving on the The Jewish Service Corps, and the executive committee
of Yachad: The Jewish Housing and Community Development Corporation of Greater
Washington.
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18) Early Engagement: Changing the Jewish Future,
One Baby at a Time
Modern Family
*A Session for Directors and Assistant Directors
Mark I. Rosen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership
Program, Brandeis University
Those who advocate for early engagement make the case that unengaged Jewish parents
with young children are more likely to become involved in Jewish life if they participate
in Jewish-sponsored programs that are designed to meet their needs as parents. Since
only a relatively small percentage of Jewish parents send their children to Jewish
early childhood programs, early engagement would appear to be the most promising
approach for reaching families who would otherwise not be Jewishly involved. How
should programs be designed to attract these families, and what are the factors that lead
to success? This session will review national research addressing these questions.
About Mark: Mark I. Rosen, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Hornstein Jewish
Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University. His publications on outreach to
Jewish parents with young children have attained national visibility and have influenced
programs in such Jewish communities as Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver,
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington,
D.C. His work has been covered in the Jewish press and he has been invited to speak
about his research to such Jewish organizations as the JCC Association, Partnership
for Excellence in Jewish Education, the Jewish Funders Network, and The Jewish
Federations of North America. He also serves as an informal advisor to the PJ Library
program, a national initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
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The Following Workshops are Presented by
the Jewish Social Service Agency
J-1) Working with Adoptive Families
Modern Family
Beth Lutton, Clinical Social Worker
Working with adoptive parents around meeting their children’s emotional and
educational needs can be a very rewarding experience as adoptive parents have
struggled to achieve their role of parent and want to be the best advocates for their
children. By the time that an adopted child reaches the age of three, they are beginning
to question where they came from…”was I in your tummy mommy” and begin to
realize that not all children came into their families in the same way. If a child is of a
different race than their parents, they, as well as their classmates, are becoming aware of
these differences during the pre-school years. This workshop will be geared to raising
the collective awareness of pre-school staff about some of the rewarding, but also
challenging issues in working with families formed or expanded through adoption.
About Beth: Beth Lutton is JSSA’s adoptions options executive director, is a licensed
clinical social worker in MD and D.C. and a certified confidential intermediary. She
has worked in the field of adoption in both the private and public sectors for 30 years
providing pre and post adoptive services including counseling to birth parents, prehome study counseling and education, home studies, post adoptive
supervision and support, individual and family post adoptive counseling,
adoption impact awareness training to educators and parents and adult
adoptee and birth parent search and reunion services.
J-2) Managing Helicopter Parents
Communication
Juliet Wolff, LCSW-C
Laurence Fabre-Welmond, LCSW-C, MSPH
This workshop will address the difficulties that anxious, or “helicopter,” parents
present to pre-school teachers and will provide strategies for managing these parents.
Workshop participants will gain a better understanding of anxiety and will learn skills
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to address such in pre-school parents. Participants will learn ways to keep the classroom
calm and strategies for establishing good communication with anxious parents who
crave information while continuing to set firm boundaries to protect the classroom
setting.
About Juliet: Juliet Wolff received a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a M.S.W.
from Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City. She has worked in
outpatient mental health settings, a diagnostic group home and in private practice. Juliet
joined JSSA’s staff in 2000 and specializes in clinical work with adolescents, adults and
couples, with a focus on mood and anxiety disorders, parenting, and relationship issues.
About Laurence: Laurence Fabre-Welmond received a M.S.W. and a M.S. degree in
public health from the University of North Carolina. As an early childhood specialist,
she has extensive experience and training working with young children
with a variety of developmental delays and special needs. At JSSA,
Laurence works with multi-cultural families and individuals and speaks
fluent English, Spanish and French.
J-3) Is It “Academic”? Responding to Pressures for Early Achievement
Modern Family
Sarah Hillegass, LCSW-C
What skills and experiences do young children need in order to be successful in later
studies and in life? What are the potential costs and benefits of expecting academic
achievements at earlier and earlier ages? How can we educate parents about the
importance of play, social development, and age-appropriate learning activities in
early childhood programs? These are important questions in today’s increasingly
achievement-oriented society. This interactive presentation will provide an update
about early childhood learning needs and will prepare teachers to respond to parents’
concerns about academics and the young child.
Sarah Hillegass: Sarah received her M.S.W. from Virginia Commonwealth University.
She has worked with individuals and families in public social service and non-profit
mental health agencies. Sarah has consulted on early childhood social and emotional
development at early childhood education centers, co-led JSSA BFF Club
social skills programs at area private schools, and co-coordinated JSSA’s
BFF Camp summer social skills program. She provides therapy for
adults, children and adolescents and co-leads social skills groups.
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J-4) “I went to my cousin’s ‘crispening!”
Families
— Working with Interfaith
Modern Family
Natalie Merkur Rose, LCSW-C, LICSW
The new realities of the Jewish community are that most of our families have non-Jewish
nuclear and/or extended family members. Explore the challenges and opportunities in
creating a welcoming and sensitive environment. Take away concrete strategies to use in
building your classroom community.
About Natalie: Natalie Merkur Rose has worked in the field of Jewish communal service
for over 25 years. Natalie is JSSA’s director of Jewish community outreach. She oversees
the Synagogue Liaison Program, Jewish Chaplaincy Services, and volunteer programs.
Natalie consults regularly with various synagogues, leads workshops on a variety of
topics, and provides individual consultations to clergy, staff and members. Her areas of
expertise include parenting, grand parenting, couples, interfaith families,
and issues of Jewish identity, inclusiveness and engagement in the
Jewish community. Natalie is an active member of the Alliance of Jewish
Intermarriage Outreach Professionals.
J-5) Communicating Red Flags
Communication
Jamell White, LCSW-C, Clinical Social Worker, Director of Special Needs and Deaf Services
Ju Liu, LGSW
Sometimes early childhood educators are the first to notice red flags in a child’s social,
emotional, or physical development. Bringing this to a parent’s attention can be
intimidating. Participants will gain confidence in knowing when to address a concern,
and will learn how to express concerns to families in a positive way. We will address
questions about how and when to make referrals.
About Jamell: Jamell White is a therapist and care coordinator for adults and children
with developmental disabilities. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the
University of Maryland, a master’s degree in social work from the Catholic University
of America and a master’s degree in special education from Johns Hopkins University.
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Jamell is also currently a Ph.D. student in the University of Maryland’s department
of human development and quantitative methodology. Currently overseeing JSSA’s
Autism Services Across the Lifespan, and a collaborative divorce child specialist, Jamell
specializes in social skills therapy groups for children and autism spectrum disorders.
About Ju: Ju Liu received her master’s degree in social work from Virginia
Commonwealth University and her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University.
At JSSA, Ju works with children and adolescents with specialization in oppositionaldefiant disorder, autism spectrum disorders, parenting skills and
social skills. Ju is also an early childhood mental health consultant for
Montgomery County and works with two to five year-old children.
Afternoon Sessions
A) Parent Communication in the Internet Age
Communication
Jessika Wellisch, Teacher and Communications Director, Gan, Adas Israel
Stacey Horn, Teacher, Gan, Adas Israel
This workshop will highlight different ways teachers can use electronic media to share
information with parents. It will include such methods as: Class Facebook groups where
only teachers can post, blogs, Snapfish (and other picture sharing sites), group email
lists, etc. Designed for beginning users this session will be held in the computer lab and
offer a hands on experience for all participants.
About Jessika: Jessika Wellisch has been teaching early childhood since 2001. She has
both a master’s degree in communications and public affairs and one in education and
Judaic studies. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as editor and publisher for
various print publications. She is currently the communications director for Adas Israel’s
Gan where she works closely with parents and teachers to leverage new technology and
enhance information flow.
About Stacey: Stacey Horn has been an educator for many years. She teaches at Adas
Israel’s Gan where she uses creative art, music and movement to encourage the growth
and confidence of each student.
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B) My House Shall Be a House for All People
Modern Family
Rabbi Toby Manewith, Bet Mishpachah Congregation
This is a repeat of morning session #17.
C) “Have You Got a Minute?” — Building and Sustaining Relationships
with All Parents
Communication
Shelley F. Remer, Early Childhood Consultant
This is a repeat of morning session #5.
D) There’s Just So Many of Them! Unique Challenges of Having
Multiples in Your Classroom
Modern Family
Karen E. Cohen, Vice President, Montgomery County Parents of Multiples
Panel: Abbey Fagin, Jim Head, Alix Slade
It seems every classroom these days has at least one set of twins (or triplets!). Have you
ever noticed that parents of multiples are a special breed? Some are a little harried, most
look a little (or a lot) sleep deprived, and they are nearly all hypersensitive about their
twins. Come hear some of the unique perspectives that parents of multiples have about
teaching their children in your classrooms. You will also learn some of the questions
you should never, ever ask a parent of multiples. An interactive panel discussion led
by Montgomery County Parents of Multiples Vice President, Karen Cohen, is sure to
entertain while educating you on some of the issues you may never have considered
about multiples in the classroom.
About Karen: Karen Cohen is the current vice president of the Montgomery County
Parents of Multiples. She had a foster son for six and-a-half years from 2004-11, currently
has four year-old triplets, and a toddling 18 month-old. When she is not wiping
noses, running kids to school, or finding lost shoes, she works full time for Booz Allen
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Hamilton as an IT security consultant.
About Abbey: Abbey Fagin is the mother of three year-old identical twin girls who are
attending Beth Ami pre-school this year. In addition to being a super mom, she works in
a senior fundraising position at University of the District of Columbia.
About Jim: Jim Head is superdad to three year-old twin boys and works as a science
advisor.
About Alix: Alix Slade has two year-old twin boys and a four year-old daughter who all
attend Ohr Kodesh Early Childhood Center.
E) Helping Families Understand the Work We Do
Communication
Jacky Howell, M.A., Early Childhood Education Consultant
So often we get questions from families like “Will you be teaching my child to read?”
and the child is two years old OR “Why is my child only playing?” This session will look
at ways we can explain what we do and WHY we do it for families.
About Jacky: Jacky Howell, M.A., has been working in the field of early childhood
education for over 35 years. She has been a pre-school and kindergarten teacher and
director. She taught the 90-hour course for over 28 years and has delivered keynote
speeches as well as a variety of workshops locally and around the world. She currently
works as a technical assistant and consultant in pre-school classrooms throughout the
D.C. metro area. Jacky still conducts workshops and presentations on a variety of topics.
She has published three articles and looks forward to writing a book.
F) You Belong Here…Welcoming Gender Variant Children
Modern Family
Rabbi Sarah Meytin, Teacher, Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center
In this session we will learn about gender variant/gender non-conforming children and
strategies for making them feel welcome, safe and loved in our classrooms so that they
may develop positive self-esteem and confidence.
About Sarah: Rabbi Sarah Meytin received her undergraduate degree from the
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University of Mary Washington, her M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania, and
was ordained as a rabbi from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2004.
She is in her third year teaching pre-school at Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center
in Kensington, MD. Sarah is also the founder of Rockville Open House, a safe space/
gathering place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning Jewish
teens, that is open once a month at the JCC of Greater Washington.
G) Serious Illness and Pre-School: A Mother’s Perspective on
Creating an Optimal Learning and Growing Environment
ESP Well-Being
Laurie Strongin, President and Executive Director, Hope for Henry Foundation
When Laurie’s son, Henry, was just two weeks old, he was diagnosed with a rare,
fatal Jewish genetic disease. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the family was
determined to live well, celebrate Henry’s life and provide as much normalcy for him
and his brothers as possible. To be successful, it required the partnership of a forwardthinking, accepting and flexible pre-school. In this session, Laurie will talk about all
the ways in which Henry’s pre-school got it right and will provide insights into what
directors and teachers should know and do to ensure that these young children thrive
educationally and socially in the midst of an otherwise unpredictable time in their life;
and that their participation in school teaches their young colleagues important lessons
about what matters in life.
About Laurie: In 1996, Laurie became drawn into the frontlines of a breakthrough
medical procedure that held the promise of saving her son, among countless other
children. Turning her advocacy and media skills to that issue, Laurie participated in
national medical policy, working with Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Diana DeGette
(D-CO) to promote passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Laurie’s
memoir, “Saving Henry” (Hyperion 2010), has been featured on major networks and in
publications both domestic and abroad. Laurie also founded and has served as executive
director of the Hope for Henry Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides gifts
and programs to support children with life-threatening illnesses. Laurie has enabled
Hope for Henry to improve the lives of more than 4,000 ill children and families across
the country. Laurie holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.S.W. from
Catholic University, where she was elected by her peers as the graduation speaker. She
lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two sons.
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H) Integrating Inclusiveness
Modern Family
Sharon Freundel, Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Jewish Primary Day School of
the Nation’s Capital
What are the areas of sensitivity to be aware of when including all children of modern
families in our schools? Do we use the proper language and give the correct answers
to questions about the modern family? How do we know whether our schools and
classrooms are truly inclusive? What makes them so or why are they not? And, most
importantly: how do we get there? Are we aware of our own cultural sensitivities and
feelings about the various forms of the modern family? For purposes of this discussion,
the “modern family” structure includes, but is not limited to: two-parent families, singleparent families through death or divorce with the child living in one or both homes,
blended families, two-parent single-sex families, extended family members as primary
caregivers, and families of children with special needs.
About Sharon: Sharon attended Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University and
graduated with a B.S. in nursing from the University of Maryland. She did graduate
work at Teacher’s College of Columbia University and earned a M.A. degree in Jewish
education at the Baltimore Hebrew University. Following several years of working in
the nursing field, Sharon became engaged in the teaching of Torah. She taught and was
the department chair for Tanach (Bible) and Torah She Ba’al Peh (Rabbinics) and was the
Mashgicha Ruchanit (Spiritual Guidance Counselor) of the Upper School at the Melvin
J. Berman Hebrew Academy. She is currently the director of Hebrew and Judaic studies
at the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital. She also conducts regular
adult education classes at Kesher Israel, Georgetown Synagogue in Washington, D.C.,
and teaches Tanach, Jewish philosophy and contemporary halachic issues to adults and
teenagers in multiple venues including area universities and major Jewish organizations.
Sharon is the rabbanit of Kesher Israel, the Georgetown Synagogue in Washington, D.C.
and is the mother of three grown children.
I) “Parents? I Thought I Was Teaching Young Children!”
Communication
Michelle Stravitz, Parent Coach, Hold My Hand Coaching, LLC
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This is a repeat of morning session #9.
J) Parenting in an Age of Anxiety
ESP Well-Being
Kay Kosak Abrams, Ph.D., Psychologist and Director, Abrams & Associates, Center for
Family Psychotherapy
This is a repeat of morning session #10.
K) Dealing with Angry People: A Pre-School Teacher’s
Self-Defense Guide!
Communication
John Spiegel, Family Mediator
Donna Duquette, Family Mediator
In a more perfect world, no pre-school teacher would ever be the target of anger. But in
the world we live in, every pre-school teacher must learn to deal with angry people and
learn to do it well. In this workshop, two experienced conflict resolution specialists will
provide both helpful theory and practical guidance for how to respond powerfully (and
compassionately) to anger.
About John: John Spiegel is an experienced family-law attorney who has devoted his
practice exclusively to family and divorce mediation since 1996. A graduate of Yale Law
School, he served as adjunct professor of Law at American University and has taught
mediation and conflict resolution courses at the University of Maryland School of Social
Work and at the University of Maryland, College Park. During the past three years,
John and his wife, Judith Glasser, Ph.D., have given a series of presentations at major
conferences around the United States and Canada on providing accommodations in
mediation to meet the special needs of people with learning disabilities and/or ADHD.
About Donna: Donna Duquette is a family mediator, attorney and teacher. Her private
mediation practice is devoted primarily to mediation for separation and divorce. She
is recognized as a certified mediator by the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution.
Donna has taught conflict resolution courses at the University of Maryland, College
Park, and has presented workshops at national conferences and to a wide variety of
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governmental, religious and educational organizations.
John and Donna have a family mediation practice (www.mediationoffice.net) in
Rockville, MD.
L) Out of the Mouths of Babes’ Dads
Modern Family
Allan Shedlin, Jr., Founder and President, DADS Unlimited & REEL Fathers TM
Panel: Rob Katz, Joshua Siegel, Afshin Nili, Irwin Slonin
A panel of fathers representing the variety of family configurations from our schools will
discuss: 1) Why it’s important for them to be involved in their child’s EC education; 2)
How they want to be (more) involved and why; 3) What encourages their involvement;
4) What discourages their involvement/”gatekeepers”; and 5) What schools can do to
encourage/invite fathers’ engagement. (Participation in Session A will greatly enhance
the value of this session.) This is a panel and interactive discussion.
About Allan: Allan Shedlin, Jr., has used his entrepreneurial, consulting and
administrative skills throughout his 40-year career working with children of all ages,
families and those who serve them. Through his frequent broadcast interviews, speaking
engagements, video productions and published commentary, he has steadily established
a broad national platform as an authority on parenting, education and child-focused
public policy. Allan founded and served as executive director of the New York-based
National Elementary School Center (NESC) from 1985 through 1994. Dedicated to
the optimal development and learning of every child and to helping professionals
and the public address children’s needs, NESC’s interdisciplinary focus stimulated
the collaboration of child-serving professionals in education, health, social services,
government and business, together with families and the public. His commentaries have
been distributed by The New York Times News Service, Hearst Newspapers, The Cox
News Service, and have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Los
Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Ventura County Star (CA), Beaumont Enterprise (TX), and numerous other local papers
and newsletters. Shedlin has written for such professional publications as Education
Week, Phi Delta KAPPAN, and Principal magazine. He also has produced an online
column, “FamilySense,” as a special project for the Benton Foundation in Washington,
D.C., and authored two regular columns — “Raising Families” and “Daddying.” He
was the featured Father’s Day guest on Voice of America’s international call-in program,
“Talk To America.”
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About Rob: Rob Katz is the father of one wonderful, warm and easy going three year-old
named Samuel, who attends Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center. Rob is originally
from New York and graduated from American University with a degree in journalism.
He has lived in the D.C. metro area since graduating 20 years ago and has been married
for the past four years. Rob is fortunate to work from home full-time for InterCall, a
global audio, video and web conference call company. In essence, he is a computer
programmer who knows how to speak in non-computer terms to professionals with
complex business requirements. “I am a really involved Dad, so working at home gives
me the flexibility to see Samuel every day before he leaves for school and as soon as he
comes home, not to mention all the quality time we have on weekends and on the days I
am available to drop him off and pick him up from school. I feel like I’m getting to fully
experience every single moment of a really special time in my child’s life and I love it!”
About Joshua: Joshua Siegel and his wife, Allison, made the decision for Josh to stay
home full time almost two years ago and have not regretted it since. They have two
young children ages four and two, and having one parent home before and after school
provides their children with the love and security that they both knew growing up as
children. Joshua has plans to return to work full time when their youngest child starts
kindergarten. Joshua is a parent at Beth Ami Nursery School.
About Afshin: Afshin Nili is an Iranian-American clinical psychologist at Georgetown
University Counseling and Psychiatric Service, who also maintains a part-time private
practice. He is married to Samara Belman, also a clinical psychologist in private practice.
They have a three year-old son, Daniel, who has been attending the Temple Emanuel
Early Childhood Center since fall of 2010. Afshin was born in Iran, where he attended a
Jewish elementary school, a secular middle school, and a Catholic high school. He left
Iran one year after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and lived in Germany until eventually
moving to Philadelphia, where he attended a Quaker High School. Afshin earned a B.A.
in anthropology and a M.S. in library and information science. He later moved to the
Washington, D.C. area in 1991 where he obtained his doctoral degree in psychology.
About Irwin: Fifteen years ago Irwin Slonin became a stay-at-home father after a career
in hospital procurement. His oldest daughter is nearly 15, and he has identical twin girls
that turned 14 in August. When they were all in pre-school Irwin decided to help out as
a floating substitute teacher. Thirteen years later, he is still teaching four and five yearolds, now at Shaare Torah Nursery School, and still loving it!
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M) Books of Our Lives — Beyond Literacy
Communication
Avi Goldscheider, Children’s Book Writer, Educational Consultant
“As early childhood educators, we have an obligation to show every family and all of the children
in our care that picture books exist for and about them.”
As educators, we promote literacy through various print sources, but books in particular
also fulfill a social and emotional need that we may be overlooking. Do we have books
that directly or indirectly reflect our communities? Specifically, do we have books
that encompass the breadth of our families such as: multicultural, bi-racial, interfaith,
divorce, single parent or single sex households? Do we have resources on adoption,
foster care, multiples, special needs, serious illness, miscarriage or death?
This workshop will engage us in an interactive discussion on finding the best books to
address our classroom needs. We will gather all the materials into an online resource
that will be shared and updated to reflect your ongoing needs.
Please come prepared to share a book that addresses a social or cultural need in your
classroom.
About Avi: Avi Goldscheider grew up in Jerusalem, Israel and there began her
lifetime passion for children’s books. After pursuing a B.A. in anthropology at
Brandeis University, she returned to Israel to work with Interns for Peace, a non-profit
organization devoted to promoting positive interactions between Arab and Jewish
school children. She has a M.A. in international relations and Middle Eastern studies
from American University and an A.A.S. degree in photojournalism from Rochester
Institute of Technology. She is a children’s book writer currently working on several
picture books and a mid-grade novel all dealing with diversity, tolerance, and peace. She
is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a
long-time participant in the Bethesda Writers’ Center. Avi has taught in various schools
and synagogues in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., and has over five years of
pre-school experience at Beth Ami Nursery School.
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N) Bringing It Home
Modern Family
Meredith Jacobs, Managing Editor, Washington Jewish Week, Author
How do we help our parents bring the lessons from our classrooms into their homes?
How do we help them go from Shabbat mommy or daddy once or twice a year, to every
week Shabbat mommy or daddy in their homes? Brainstorm ideas from the “Modern
Jewish Mom” and explore ways to teach our toughest students...parents.
About Meredith: Meredith Jacobs, Managing Editor of Washington Jewish Week is the
author of “The Modern Jewish Mom’s Guide to Shabbat” (Harper) and “Just Between
Us: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms” (Chronicle). Known as the
“Modern Jewish Mom,” she has spoken for Jewish women’s groups around the country
and has a bi-weekly commentary on WYPR-FM. Before joining WJW, she created family
programs at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue and facilitated the D.C. Mother’s Circle. She is
on the Board of Trustees of Jewish Women International and Jewish Outreach Institute.
O) Making the Modern Jewish Family Welcome in Our Schools
Modern Family
Rabbi Victor Appell, Marketing Specialist, Union for Reform Judaism
This is a repeat of morning session #15.
P) The Power of Music
Communication
Sally Heckelman, Music Specialist
Lisa Baydush, Music Specialist
Music gives us the opportunity to increase a family’s connection to Judaism in a very
meaningful way. Are we doing that? Could we be doing more? Is the music we select
and the family programs we offer inclusive of the modern Jewish family? This session
will give all of us who bring music to the lives of our children the chance to brainstorm
together to see how we can better build connections for families through music. Come
share your ideas, your music and the programs you have created. Bring your instrument
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and copies of your sheet music to share. Appropriate for all who teach music and
movement. Let’s Jam!
About Sally: For over 20 years, Sally Heckelman has been sharing her joyful music
throughout the Washington area. As an early childhood Jewish music educator, Sally
works at Temple Sinai and Congregation Beth El. She is one of the teachers for the
Partnership’s Music Educators Institute which provides training to potential and existing
teachers. Her enthusiasm, experience, and love of children combined with her musical
talent, Judaic and social work background enables her to bring all these elements
together in a meaningful and beneficial way for pre-schoolers.
In addition to teaching, Sally also composes her own music. She has produced two
popular CDs for children, which are sold locally and on the internet: “Sally and the
Daffodils’ Tap Your Feet to a Jewish Beat” and “Put a Smile on Your Face.” Sally also
performs with her band, Shir Delite, for b’nai mitzvah, weddings and other events.
About Lisa: Lisa Baydush is an engaging singer, songwriter, Jewish music educator
and children’s performer who delights in transmitting the values, stories and traditions
of Judaism through the medium of Jewish music. Inspired by the songs of Debbie
Friedman z”l, Lisa made a dramatic career change in 2003 from desktop publishing and
full-time parenting to song-writing and teaching.
Lisa has written and composed nearly 100 songs for both adults and children. A mother
of three with a M.B.A. in marketing, Lisa’s newly-discovered musical outlet comes
as a big surprise to the woman who spent a lifetime thinking she couldn’t sing! Lisa
is currently the early childhood music specialist at the Jewish Community Center in
Rockville, MD, and teaches religious school music at Temple Shalom. Lisa leads musical
Tot Shabbat services at Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, MD, and family and high
holiday services at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C.
Lisa also leads creative and experiential holiday programs, such as her popular Pajama
Havdalah program and Tot Seders etc. And last, but not least, it has been Lisa’s
great pleasure to “pay it forward” by leading educator’s workshops in recent years at
NEWCAJE, MANAJE, the Partnership, and the Jewish Study Center.
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Q) Not Your Typical Bubbe!
Modern Family
Ilene C. Vogelstein, M.S., M.A., Acting Director, Beth El School for Early Childhood
Education
More and more grandparents are responsible for taking care of their grandchildren on
full or part time basis. More and more young people are unaffiliated and disconnected
from Judaism and Jewish institutions. This interactive session will discuss the role
of grandparents, who welcome the opportunity to impact the Jewish life and Jewish
education of their grandchildren and how teachers are interactive with grandparents.
About Ilene: Ilene Vogelstein has extensive experience in Jewish education. She served
as the director of education for the Baltimore Federation and was the president of the
Board of Jewish Education. For the past 15 years her efforts have focused on early
childhood Jewish education. Ilene was the coordinator of the Mechinah program at
her synagogue where she developed an award winning Bible curriculum for religious
school kindergarten children and their families. She was the director of Machon
L’Morim, a professional development initiative for school change. She conducted the
first survey on the state of Jewish pre-schools in America and commissioned a study to
determine the impact of Jewish pre-schools on the families. Ilene established the Early
Childhood Department at CAJE and is currently the facilitator of the Alliance for Jewish
Early Education. Ilene is recognized as an authority on the state of early childhood
Jewish education and issues that impact this constituency. Locally, Ilene established
and directed the Early Childhood Education Department at the Baltimore Hebrew
University. She is currently the acting director of the Pauline Mash School for Early
Childhood Education at Beth El Congregation in Baltimore, MD. Ilene is the author of
several publications. Ilene is currently a Bubbe to her granddaughter Sage and expecting
her second grandchild.
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R) Early Engagement: Changing the Jewish Future,
One Baby at a Time
Modern Family
*A Session for Directors and Assistant Directors
Mark I Rosen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership
Program, Brandeis University
This is a repeat of morning session #18.
The Following Workshops are Presented by
the Jewish Social Service Agency
J-A) Facilitating Positive Peer Relationships in Pre-School
Communication
Andrea LoBalbo, LCSW
This session will focus on ways teachers and parents can promote social emotional
learning and help facilitate friendships. Ways to build empathy and effective conflict
resolution strategies will be presented. The importance of play in the development of
social skills will be highlighted. Teachers will learn effective ways to address parents
questions and/or concerns about their child’s social interactions.
About Andrea: Andrea LoBalbo received her M.S.W. from The Catholic University
of America and is licensed in Virginia. Andrea specializes in working with children,
adolescents and families using a systemic approach and cognitive based models of
therapy. She worked for JSSA from 2005-2007, then spent three years in England
providing individual, family and multi-family therapy to children and families in
schools and at a community mental health center. Andrea returned to
JSSA in October 2010 and currently provides individual, group and family
therapy for children, adolescents and families who suffer from anxiety,
depression, ADHD and children on the autistic spectrum.
32
J-B) Talking About Death with Young Children: Both a Challenge
and an Opportunity
ESP Well-Being
Suzanne Adelman, LCSW-C
This presentation will address the variables influencing how young children understand
and respond to death and how the topics of death can be handled in the classroom.
Discussion will include anticipated death, sudden death, traumatic death and threat of
death.
About Suzanne: Suzanne Adelman has provided social work and bereavement services
for JSSA Hospice since 1986. She has also coordinated JSSA’s Crisis Response Program
since 1988. Suzanne received her M.S.W. from the University of WisconsinMadison with a concentration in family therapy and has extensive postgraduate training in family therapy, issues of death and dying, and crisis
response.
J-C) What’s a Dad to Do? Connecting with Dads in the Classroom
Caron Starobin, LCSW-C
Vickie Hervitz, LGSW
Modern Family
This session will explore how to reach beyond the stereotypes of dads’ roles in their
children’s early education. We will identify societal and cultural norms which impact
the perceptions people have of dads’ roles in their children’s lives. We will identify
alternative meanings behind dads’ levels of involvement in their children’s early
education. We will also discuss strategies for effectively engaging dads in early
childhood educational planning.
About Caron: Caron Starobin received her M.S.W. from the University of Maryland.
Her areas of expertise include family therapy, social skills therapy groups, and therapy
for children with autism spectrum disorders. Prior to joining JSSA in 2001, Caron
worked in a variety of clinical settings including Children’s National Medical Center
in Washington, D.C., an outpatient community mental health setting, and a family
preservation program for children at risk of abuse and neglect. Caron currently provides
therapy for children, adolescents, adults, and families and her areas of interest include
33
exploring the social impact of emotional challenges including ADHD, depression,
anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders; building relationship skills; engaging men in
therapy; and family issues.
About Vickie: Vickie Hervitz joined JSSA in August 2009. She received her bachelor’s
degree in developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her
M.S.W. from the University of Maryland. Vickie is a licensed social worker and an
early childhood specialist with a teaching and clinical background. She has experience
working with an array of childhood challenges including developmental delays and
special needs. During the school year, Vickie leads JSSA social skills therapy groups for
children of all ages. She employs a combination of cognitive-behavioral and expressive
therapies to help children deal with social and emotional challenges. In addition, she
works with multi-cultural families and speaks fluent Spanish. Vickie’s
areas of interest include strengthening parent/child relationships and
offering support and guidance in the prevention and treatment of
emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues in young children.
J-D) Enhancing Communication Between Teachers and Parents
Communication
Ju Liu, LGSW
When educators maintain positive relationships with parents it promotes children’s
healthy social, emotional, and academic development, as well as increases children’s
sense of security. This training will help early childhood educators identify ways to
maintain ongoing communication with families, as well as address communication
roadblocks that might be encountered in this day and age of busy families.
About Ju: Ju Liu received her master’s degree in social work from Virginia
Commonwealth University and her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University.
At JSSA, Ju works with children and adolescents with specialization in
oppositional-defiant disorder, autism spectrum disorders, parenting skills
and social skills. Ju is also an early childhood mental health consultant for
Montgomery County and works with two to five year-old children.
34
J-E) Supporting Families and Children with Special Needs
ESP Well-Being
Stacie Feldman, LGPC (Licensed Professional Graduate Counselor)
Caryn Harris, LGPC (Licensed Professional Graduate Counselor)
As more and more families understand the importance of early intervention, parents
look to teachers for information and support around the special needs of their children.
This workshop will be an open discussion format to talk about the issues facing parents
and siblings of children with special needs and ways in which teachers can support
these families.
Teachers will be presented with strategies on how to:
• Increase their awareness of the needs of the children in their classrooms (both for the
child with special needs and/or the siblings).
• Address feelings of isolation parents may experience in the school community.
• Help create a sense of community between the family and school.
• Foster positive communication between parents and teachers including strategies to
address concerns to parents.
About Stacie: Stacie Feldman is a case manager in JSSA’s special needs and deaf services
department, received her bachelor’s in public relations from Syracuse University and
a master’s in clinical counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She has experience
working with adolescents with emotional disturbances and learning disabilities, as well
as with their families in group and individual settings.
About Caryn: Caryn Harris is a case manager in JSSA’s special needs and deaf services
department, and received her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling
from The George Washington University and her bachelor’s in psychology and child
development from Tufts University. She is a national certified counselor. Caryn has
experience working with children and adolescents with severe mental
health disorders in an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization
program where she provided individual, group, and family therapy. She
also counseled young adults in The George Washington University’s
counseling clinic.
35
J-F) Managing Helicopter Parents
Communication
Juliet Wolff, LCSW-C
Laurence Fabre-Welmond, LCSW-C, MSPH
This is a repeat of morning session #J-2.
J-G) Divorce and the Pre-School Family
Modern Family
Deborah Goldstein, LCSW-C, Diplomate in Social Work, Clinical Director
Teachers in the pre-school setting are often caught in the middle between parents who
are in the midst of restructuring their family. Learn how to support the child through
this challenging transition. We will offer strategies and tools for both the teacher and the
family.
About Deborah: Deborah Goldstein has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and 10 years of
experience working as an ICU and head nurse. She received her master’s degree in social
work from The Catholic University of America. She holds post-master’s certification
in group therapy, child and adolescent treatment and couples therapy.
Deborah is a certified divorce mediator and collaborative divorce coach.
For 18 years at JSSA, Deborah has specialized in working with children,
adolescents, couples, process-oriented groups, and divorcing families.
36
Permission to use photos of individuals
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, Partnership for Jewish Life and
Learning’s meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant or
attendee to the Partnership’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the
registrant’s or attendee’s images, likeness, and appearance in photographs and videos of
such events and activities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------All registrations are submitted by school.
Please consult with your director to review your workshop selections for both
morning and afternoon sessions.
Please note: Final Reflection Session will be with your director and full school staff.
37
Index
Modern Family
Full Day Sessions
Using a Jewish Prism to Reflect on Today’s Modern Jewish Family
1
Morning Sessions
My Other House: Pre-Schoolers in Blended Families
A Pre-School Teacher’s Guide to Separation & Divorce
10
Doubling the Odds
11
The New Jewish Mom
12
Making the Modern Jewish Family Welcome in Our Schools
13
My House Shall Be a House for All People
15
Early Engagement: Changing the Jewish Future,
One Baby at a Time (For Directors Only)
16
Working with Adoptive Families
17
Is it “Academic”? Responding to Pressures for Early Achievement
18
“I went to my cousin’s ‘crispening” — Working with Interfaith Families
19
5
Afternoon Sessions
My House Shall Be a House for All People
21
There’s Just So Many of Them! Unique Challenges
of Having Multiples in Your Classroom
21
You Belong Here…Welcoming Gender Variant Children
22
Integrating Inclusiveness
24
Out of the Mouths of Babes’ Dads
26
Bringing it Home
29
Making the Modern Jewish Family Welcome in Our Schools
29
Not Your Typical Bubbe!
31
Early Engagement: Changing the Jewish Future,
One Baby at a Time (For Directors Only)
32
What’s a Dad to Do? Connecting with Dads in the Classroom
33
Divorce and the Pre-School Family
36
ESP Well-Being
Morning Sessions
The Hidden Disability — Learning & Understanding
About Mental Health & Stigma
2
When a Child is Seriously Ill: Early Childhood Community Support
3
What Helps, What Hurts: Parents of Children with
Special Needs Share Stories from the Pre-K Classroom
6
Parenting in an Age of Anxiety
9
The Challenge of Food Allergies in the Classroom
12
But What If I’m Wrong? — What is Child Abuse
and What Should I Do if I Suspect It?
14
Afternoon Sessions
Serious Illness and Pre-School: A Mother’s Perspective…
23
Parenting in an Age of Anxiety
25
Talking About Death with Young Children
33
Supporting Families & Children With Special Needs
35
Communication
Morning Sessions
Settling In: Building Relationships & Community with Families
2
“Have You Got a Minute?” — Building & Sustaining
Relationships With All Parents
4
Come Join Us! Involving Families in Our Classrooms
& Programs In Meaningful Ways
“Parents? I Thought I Was Teaching Young Children”
8
8
Managing Helicopter Parents
17
Communicating Red Flags
19
Afternoon Sessions
Parent Communication in the Internet Age
20
“Have You Got a Minute?” — Building & Sustaining
Relationships with All Parents
21
Helping Families Understand the Work We Do
22
“Parents? I Thought I Was Teaching Young Children”
24
Dealing with Angry People: A Pre-School Teacher’s Self Defense Guide
25
Books of Our Lives — Beyond Literacy
28
The Power of Music
29
Facilitating Positive Peer Relationships in Pre-School
32
Enhancing Communication Between Teachers and Parents
34
Managing Helicopter Parents
36
Let’s create an educated and
engaged community
No matter your age or background
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Learning invites you to experience
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