As a first time conference attendee, I am so grateful to the JCCA association for putting this together. Mark Horowitz, the ECE Director for the JCCA, has been warm and welcoming as well as putting together a terrific program for the ECE directors. All of the sessionshave been helpful, I’ve taken away knowledge and ideas from each of the sessions. The conference allows me to both focus on my own area as well as learn more about areas I am not as versed in. The session on marketing to millenium moms was terrific and insightful. I am a gereation (or two) before them, so it is helpful to learn from the experts about how to speak their language and reach them in a way that they will here. Our message and values are timeless, but often if we do not speak the same language it is lost in translation.
One of the highlights for me has been meeting and talking with the other ECE directors, hearing their concerns and issues. Defining common concerns, goals for our program beyond the day to day issues cooperatively is a gift. But, I must say the ultimate high for me is meeting Vivian Paley. She has been a mentor and model through her writing for me for many years. Spending dinner with her and her husbband last night, so nicely hosted by the Orlando JCC, was a treat. She read to us, talked about her work and some of the Jewish connections within her writing.
So, I just want to thank all, the JCCA, my JCC and the Rosen family for this experience.
Ruth Petersen Shorer | JCC East Bay