Back in 2008 Esther Elfenbaum, Director of BJE’s Early Childhood Education Services, arranged for 22 educators from local Jewish preschools to travel to Italy for a six-day intensive introduction of the Reggio Emilia approach.   Colleagues from Jewish preschools in Washington, D.C. and Israel joined the group for the program.  From this initial workshop, this core group of educators are now establishing themselves as trainers at their own institutions and those in the surroundings communities. 

Roleen Heimann of the Reggio-inspired New School West in Venice, held a teachers training this month for the 2008 participants to hone their training skills. 

But what is the Emilio approach?  "Reggio emphasizes respect for children, whose interests, input and comments help direct lessions, classroom activities and topics of exploration" says Elfenbaum. 

"It's emphasis on 'documention' calls for teachers to photograph the children in action, take extensive notes and interview the children about what they're doing. Elaborate displays showcase children's activities, allowing parents to see what happens in the classroom and allows children to revisit their ideas.  These public displays also demonstrate that the children's work is valued.  Parents, teachers and the community are all seen as stakeholders in the educational process.

"The image of the child in Reggio is that of an intelligent, curious and capable being," she said.  "In the Wisdom of the Fathers [Pirke Avot], it says, 'Each child brings his own blessing into the world' and 'Whenever children are learning, there dwells the Divine Presence.'"  Ms. Elfenbaum continues, "Reggio and Judaism share many other principales, including the concepts of dialogue and discussion, collaboration and community, and an emphasis on lifelong learning."

Alexandra Kayman Blaker, preschool director of the Chabad Garden School, believes Reggio's philosophy fits beautifully with Chabad's approach to educating children.