Identifying sectarian content for Jewish Early Childhood educational programs

Abstract

This study identified appropriate sectarian content for Jewish Early Childhood education programs. Using a national sample of early childhood Jewish educators, a Delphi technique was used to identify specific elements of Jewish history and culture considered worthy to be taught to young Jewish children. Seven categories of study were identified: (1) Jewish tradition as expressed in Jewish literature beginning with the Bible and continuing to modern Jewish writings; (2) Jewish way of life (customs and commitments); (3) Hebrew language (written and spoken); (4) Israel as the Holy Land of Jewish tradition and as the modern state; (5) Jewish peoplehood, knowledge of its historic past, its present structure and a desire to identify oneself with its future; (6) Faith in God with the purpose of the betterment of the world and humanity; and (7) Jewish values and attitudes. These categories were validated through a review of the literature on the history of Jewish education and by a panel of experts in Jewish education. A discussion is presented of the content appropriate to young children within each of these categories.