Mandel JCC Presents Moving Mountains
Celebrate International Women’s Month with a powerful keynote speaker and other women who deliver stories of perseverance and triumph!
Learn how to navigate the increasingly complex early childhood learning environment.
Our special guest speakers will explore how music, literature and the arts can help you build and expand your relationships with your students and their families.
This conference includes a keynote presentation and two breakout sessions as well as breakfast and lunch.
FREE
This program qualifies for six educator in-service hours.
8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9 a.m. Welcome
9:30 a.m. Keynote Presentation
10:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Breakout session 1
12:10 – 1:10 p.m. Lunch
1:15 – 2:50 p.m. Breakout session 2
2:55 – 3:30 p.m. Closing
Please RSVP by Monday, February 12.
Hear from Ellen Allard, the self-proclaimed, “Queen of Jewish Early Childhood Music,” as she shares with you the transformative power of music in enriching the learning experiences of young children. She will share practical strategies and inspiring ideas that encourage, inspire and invite you to expand your musical horizons and create vibrant and engaging classrooms where music is a regular feature.
A unique opportunity to delve into the various ways music can foster cognitive, language, physical, social-emotional and spiritual growth through interactive activities and insightful conversations.
Presenter: Ellen Allard is a recording artist, performer, musician, composer and educator who has been performing children’s concerts and presenting to early childhood educators with rave reviews for more than 40 years.
An engaging and thought-provoking session centered on the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in early childhood literature that intricately weaves in the principles of transformative social-emotional learning (SEL). Explore how diverse narratives contribute to the holistic development of individuals and communities.
Presenter: Pranoo Kumaris is a proud immigrant, educator, TedX speaker and mother dedicated to identity driven educational experiences. She is the founder of Rohi’s Readery, an award-winning social justice driven bookstore located at The Square in West Palm Beach. With an incredibly dynamic and accomplished background, Kumar’s projects include founding early childhood and elementary inclusive programs, writing identity driven PreK curriculum, and co-founding Washington state’s first elementary charter school.
An opportunity to think and learn about subtle ways gender presents itself in the classroom as the presenter shares research-based information and discusses recent changes to Florida laws. Educators will also learn tips and tools to help build a community of belonging in the classroom and school setting.
Presenter: Tracey Labgold is the Florida Education and Training Manager for Keshet, a nonprofit organization focused on the full equality of LGBTQ Jews and families in Jewish life. Labgold started her career as a high school English teacher and spent the last decade facilitating anti-bias and diversity awareness workshops for the ADL, before joining the Keshet team in 2021.
Designed specifically for educators who teach infants to two-and-a-half-year-old children, learn how to encourage early language and pre-literacy development in our youngest age group. You will also explore how to navigate behavioral issues in low and non-verbal children.
Presenter: Yehudis Smith serves as the Director of Early Childhood and Congregational Education at the Miami-based Center for the Advancement of Jewish Children (CAJE), where she supports a network of 30 Jewish early childhood education programs throughout Miami-Dade. She is also an independent ECE consultant, teacher mentor and child development specialist who spent more than 15 years in the classroom and just returned from an extensive training in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
For more information, please contact Robyn Hurvitz at robyn.hurvitz@jewishpalmbeach.org or 561.209.2621.
Early Childhood Education Directors Committee
Sandy Wilensky, Chair, Temple Beth Torah
Jodie Block, Mandel JCC, Boynton Beach
Cindy Brown, Temple Beit HaYam
Jenny Fenton, Temple Beth David
Dorit Kadouri, Temple Beth Am
Brooke Pertnoy, Mandel JCC, Palm Beach Gardens
Courtney Plager, Beit Blumi
Stephanie Rubin, Temple Torat Emet
Sandy Wilensky, (Chair) Temple Beth Torah
Celebrate International Women’s Month with a powerful keynote speaker and other women who deliver stories of perseverance and triumph!
Open House Weekend August 15 – 17 Friday, August 15, 6:00 PM – Shabbat on the Beach Saturday, August 16, 9:30 AM – Shabbat Services in the Sanctuary Sunday, August 17, 10:00 AM – Open House Activities & Temple Tour Learn about our exciting Early Childhood & Religious School Programs Receive information on High Holiday Tickets & Seating Special discount for Dues available for new members Sisterhood Judaica Shop will be Open!
Join us for our 2nd of the season Shabbat on the Beach Bring your own chair, water, and picnic dinner! Parking is $2.50 per hour
Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Building
1 Harvard Circle, Suite 100
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
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Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Building
1 Harvard Circle, Suite 100
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 478 – 0700
info@jewishpalmbeach.org
Receive updates, resources and community events to your inbox.
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.
© 2025 Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. All rights reserved.
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