Jewish Every Day: The Complete Handbook for Early Childhood Teachers

I am teaching a once a week workshop on Judaism for 4-5 year olds. This was the only resource that I found that has a whole list of ideas to use as well as stories and sheet music. I like that it lists different activities based on age, gives a wide range of concepts to discuss, other resources to access, and general educational models. I use it every week as I plan my workshop.

Jewish Every Day should be found on the bookshelf of every director, teacher and specialist involved in Jewish early childhood education. In this fabulous resource, Maxine Handelman merges modern-day educational practices (developmentally appropriate practice, webbing, learning centers, play) with traditional Jewish concepts. Not only does Ms. Handelman touch on the Jewish holidays, but she devotes several chapters to the concepts that we (Jewish educators) may not think of incorporating into our daily programs either because we think they are too abstract for little children to understand or we are afraid that the time they will take will be at the expense of other curriculum areas we must cover. Such concepts include God, Prayer, Mitzvot, Torah and Life Cycle Events. In each chapter, Ms. Handelman leads us to think about the developmental appropriateness of these ideas as she includes age-specific lists of concepts the children may be learning from infancy to 5-years old. Activities that span the curriculum (language, science, math, art, circle time, outdoor time) are so plentiful that teachers may re-new their lesson plans yearly. Music and movement contributions by Julie Jaslow Auerbach will guarantee active learning. Ms. Handelman also includes brief discussions relating to some of the modern day issues found in Jewish settings, such as the employment of non-Jewish teachers, interfaith families and keeping kosher at school. Jewish Every Day is an inspirational resource for educators. While providing many valuable resources, Ms. Handelman also evokes "the learner" in her readers. Undoubtedly everyone who reads this book will learn something new and will be inspired in one way or another to improve or supplement the programs in their classrooms. Kudos to Maxine Handelman for providing a resource so needed in Jewish education!