On Wednesday, September 7, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) experienced the beauty of early childhood Jewish education as she engaged with, and even danced with, her youngest constituents, students at JCC Chicago Beth Emet in Evanston. Congresswoman Schakowsky’s visit is an example of an important advocacy approach: inviting legislators as partners into our programs. During her time at Beth Emet, we thanked her for her ongoing support, shared about the Jewish Early Childhood Collaborative, JUF Chicago, and JCC Chicago, and discussed the current child care landscape. We laughed, and we cried. The successful visit ended with pictures, hugs, and a shared understanding that the child care system requires long-term, federal funding.  

After her visit, Congresswoman Schakowsky amplified the main child care issues from our conversations on her Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages: "Child care costs are up, while teacher pay remains low. All families deserve access to affordable early childhood education and teachers deserve higher wages. Let’s do it.”  
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In the beginning of her post, she expressed the joy from her visit: “No better way to start the day.” And those of us in her presence could not agree more. Congresswoman Schakowsky’s visit, besides being enjoyable, left us feeling optimistic and energized: optimistic that our legislators represent the interests and needs of families with young children and energized to continue engaging in the advocacy work necessary to advance robust child care investments.  ​

Advocacy is an ongoing endeavor within many levels of influence from our daily interactions with children and families to our partnerships with elected officials. The journey is challenging; disappointment and frustration often ensue. But it is meaningful opportunities like this one with Congresswoman Schakowsky that leave a strong impression and provide lessons to continue along the advocacy path:  

1. Thoughtfulness and intentionality are important, but flexibility is critical: When preparing for a site visit, the goals should guide the intentional design of the schedule, including talking points and tour of the facility. However, aspects of the event may not go as planned. Just as early childhood educators utilize children’s interests, capacities, and needs to inform their practice, we need to be flexible and adjust in the moment as we work with the real people at the event.  
2. ​Collaboration and unity are a must: There are various stakeholders who should be invited to the table and included in organizing the program. We need to bolster each other’s perspectives as partners in order to work together to best support children and families. In the case of this site visit, the Congresswoman was noticeably pleased to be hearing from parents following the tour. 
3. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude: Take the time to express gratitude to everyone involved. Engaging with elected officials may feel overwhelming and stressful. Thank those who contributed their time and knowledge. Take the time to express gratitude to the legislator (especially for past votes that made a difference), as well. Be creative and gift them with something meaningful that they can hold onto as a reminder of the visit and its messages. This can be something that reflects the values or educational philosophy of the program; on this visit, the children had decorated a small wooden box and inside were quotes from the children about what it means to be in a community. 
4. ​Pause to celebrate—but only briefly--because the job isn’t done. After an incredible advocacy experience like this, it is not just okay, but necessary to pause, take some deep breaths, reflect and celebrate. But not for too long. Use the positive energy from the experience to start planning the next thing! Children, families, and educators rely on us to amplify their voices and represent their needs. Reflect on the success and consider specific ways the experience will inform the next one. 

When greeting Congresswoman Schakowsky at the start of the visit, she looked me straight in my eyes with an intensity I had never previously experienced. It was an affirming feeling. I knew her commitment to showing up that day was not just something to check off a list; she was there for a purpose--to partner with us in efforts to affect change. And, yes, there was “no better way to start the day” than engaging in advocacy for child care and early learning! 

#SolveChildCare
#ShmaKoleinu
#HearOurVoices

Click here to read the full email that went out to our network.

Click here to read the full email that went to our network.

Click here for the full email that went out to our network.

In 2021, Shma Koleinu is focused on two areas: Compensation equity and federal funding for ECE. To learn more about the work of the compensation equity team, we invite you to explore the Padlet that documents our journey together.

We are hearing rumblings about the President’s vision for supporting early childhood in the upcoming infrastucture bill(s). Let’s get the latest from Washington. ​

From our own Mark Horowitz: 
"Perhaps most striking of all: Early childhood educators, who, prior to the pandemic, spent hours participating in professional development programs and long, full days nurturing, caring for, and educating children from six months through kindergarten earn, on average, little more than $13 an hour.
Yes, you read that number correctly: $13 an hour, which in many instances keeps them below the federal poverty line."

From the Sheva Center at the JCC Association of North America:

This week, we hear the voices of two amazing leaders from our JCC in Milwaukee as they share how honesty and trust in their working relationship helps them engage in candid, difficult conversations—​a huge lesson for sure in early childhood and the world. It's week 5 of our video series "Giving Voice to our Values," highlighting the work of JCC early childhood centers, showing the world what good practice, thoughtful decision making, and leading with our values truly looks like. Shout out to all the early childhood leaders making difficult decisions during unprecedented times.

Trevor Noah amplifies the voices of women and families.

Early childhood advocate Ellen Galinsky walks us through the science of early learning. This work reveals what we must fight for for children--an approach to curriculum that is based on children's development.

Click the image below for Ellen's slidedeck.

From the Sheva Center at the JCC Association of North America:

Time again for this week's offering from our video series "Giving Voice to our Values," highlighting the work of our early childhood centers, showing the world what good practice, thoughtful decision making, and leading with our values truly looks like. Today we get to hear from the leadership team at the JCC of Central New Jersey, as we learn about their focus and care for their educators and community. Doing what's right for their team has paved the way for what's right for their entire community!

From the Sheva Center at the JCC Association of North America:

​Click link for this week's dose of INTEGRITY!

With this week's inauguration it finally feels we are back on track creating systems where our communities are working towards aligning with our values.

That said, it's the perfect time for the 3rd edition of our video series "Giving Voice to our Values", highlighting the work of our early childhood centers, showing the world what good practice, thoughtful decision making, and leading with our values truly looks like.

Here's to the leadership team at Mandell JCC in Hartford, CT, building systems based on respect, trust and accountability!

Please feel free to share any of these in our series to help others reach that higher bar of doing the impossible during even the most challenging of times!