For the past 18 years, the Reggio Emilia Approach has been an important source of inspiration and professional learning for Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center (TEECC). Its image of the child as competent and capable, its emphasis on relationships and the multitude of ways children make meaning of the world, and its commitment to the dignity and rights of every child resonate deeply with our Jewish identity and values. These principles have helped shape who we are as a school and how we understand our responsibility to children, families, and one another. Over the years, many TEECC educators have traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn alongside educators there. We are grateful for the ideas, questions, and relationships that have informed our work and become part of our own pedagogical identity.
We unequivocally condemn the antisemitic actions and treatment experienced by our colleagues in connection with the recent Paradigm Project study tour. The scrutiny of Jewish educators based on perceived affiliations with Israel and the pressure placed on educators to distance themselves from Israeli government policies raise profound concerns. Jewish educators must never be asked to diminish, conceal, or defend their Jewish identity in order to participate fully in educational and professional communities. Antisemitism has no place in education, and naming its impact is essential to building communities rooted in dignity, belonging, and mutual respect.
We stand with and support our colleagues from the Paradigm Project who are engaging in ongoing dialogue with leaders in Reggio Emilia. We believe in the importance of these conversations as opportunities to educate, name the harm caused, and pursue meaningful accountability. Valuing an educational philosophy and holding institutions accountable when their actions fail to reflect their stated principles are not mutually exclusive.
Most importantly, the events surrounding the cancellation of the study tour do not change our commitment to the children and families of TEECC, the Jewish values at the heart of our community, or the way we work with children every day. We will continue to nurture children’s curiosity, honor their many ways of expressing themselves, build meaningful relationships, and create a community in which every child is seen, respected, and valued. These commitments are foundational to who we are and will remain central to our work.
We remain committed to learning, to standing firmly against antisemitism, and to creating educational communities in which every person can participate fully and proudly as themselves.
