Announcing the Intention

Announcement: We have an #intention we are proposing for the year ahead. We will share more about this in the coming days. For now, what does #HearOurVoices #ShmaKoleinu mean to you? What resonates and what does it stir up for you personally and professionally? Here are some responses from the field:

1. We, children, educators, and families are all citizens with a place in this world. A unique view as a person that deserves to be shared. (Aliza Plotkin)
2. We are all one in the world. Collectively we need and have the same rights but each has their perspective and when we listen we can all be heard and respected. (Robin Bright). (Lisa Plotkin responded:  I love the idea of listening leading to positive changes... and giving ourselves the time to figure out what listening means, and the many styles of listening.)
3. The time is NOW to make sure the voices and the stories in early childhood are heard so that they become change agents. When this happens the world will become aligned with the values we all share. (Kathy Pomer)
4. Listen to the voices of the children, families , and teachers and administrators -- listen with your whole soul--- childhood is precious... we must be evangelists for the rights of children ! (Lisa Heiser-Polin)
5. I hear shma and remember a “shhhh mmmm ahhhh” mindful/meditative practice - a beautiful way for children and adults to capture presence in a moment... one, here, now... it’s a really positive memory. Shma Koleinu for me stirs up joy and inspiration for what we can do next! (Lisa Plotkin)
6. Hear - pay attention -in all ways and all levels. Silence and sound.Our - not only mine or yours. All. Our community. Our differences. Our similarities.Voices - expression, dissent, assent, joy, grief. Young and old. Simple, sophisticated. Superficial and depth. Sh’ma koleinu. Hear our voices with the intention of action. (Cherene Radis)
7. Two separate words that can be joined after exploring them individually. What does it mean to listen? and What is my/our voice?. Sharing a great TED talk on listening: https://www.ted.com/.../julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen (Shira Ackerman Simchovitch)
8. Shma Koleinu- from the liturgy is a declaration of our active appeal to the merciful Gd to accept our prayers. So to, as early childhood advocates, we need to raise our voices, listen to and uplift voices around us, with empathy and humility, to transform our classrooms, communities, policies, and norms. Just as a bat kol- a divine voice- came down from heaven- lo bashamayim hee- it is not in heaven- we must commit and affect change in our world. And when we make kol into koleinu- our voice- we need to reflect on our biases, assumptions about children and families, identities, and power. Shma Koleinu- hear our voices- together- we can be heard- and must- until it is accepted. (Ilana Dvorin Friedman)