History
Seventy years ago, our founders understood the need to plan for the future. Thanks to that foundation, educators today are seen as senior leaders in congregations, as big-picture thinkers, and as respected partners shaping Jewish life.
Join us in celebrating our 70th anniversary by taking a look back at our history through four distinct chapters:
- Building the field
- Setting the standards and raising the bar
- Claiming our voice
- Extending our branches
While we were founded as an organization of synagogue educators, we already see how the landscape of Jewish education is shifting. And regardless of where Jewish education takes place—synagogues, camps, schools, immersive programs, or emerging spaces—we know this truth:
Jewish educators will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Jewish values, traditions, and stories shape the next generation.
1955
December 26-29 founding conference
1956
Curriculum resource bank established
1957
Joint Placement Commission established between the UAHC Commission on Jewish Education, the new HUC School of Education, and NATE
The founders forged an agenda to elevate and secure the status of a Reform education profession as they embraced a common identity and a community of interest.
1959
NATE representatives invited to UAHC board
1970
First Fellow in Religious Education titles awarded
1971
Founding of HUC’s Rhea Hirsch School of Education
To establish the profession, there needed to be a collection of like-minded, committed people AND a pipeline into the field.
1973
NATE Accreditation program launched
1982
NATE hired first Executive Secretary, Richard Morin, RJE z”l
1983
First RJE (Reform Jewish Educator) titles awarded at Toronto conference
As NATE evolved, the leaders were constantly navigating the dual task of raising the level of excellence among the members and in the field and advocating for educators in their congregations and in the UAHC. The work went hand in hand.
1988
“Guidelines for Educator-Congregational Relationships” established
1995
Marlene Myerson, RJE, became the first educator to chair the Joint Commission on Jewish Education of NATE, CCAR and UAHC
1995
Campaign for the Millennium created to build ARJE Endowment
The Accreditation process and RJE title created a standard for educators to work towards. It was an opportunity to create levels of excellence that didn’t look the same but were recognized by educators, rabbis, and lay leaders alike – they really meant something to everyone involved.
1998
Rabbi Stan Schickler, RJE, first full-time Executive Director hired, office moved to UAHC headquarters in New York, NY
1998
Rabbinic Pension Board changesd its name to Reform Pension Board (with advocacy from NATE rep Sharon Morton, RJE)
2001
NATE adopted the “Israel Guidelines,” which set out NATE’s commitments and recommendations for educators regarding Israel curriculum, Hebrew language, and Israel travel
In the third chapter of our story, the movement understood our critical role as the direct link to the children, parents, and ultimately the future. When Rabbi Jan Katzew, Ph.D was hired, everything shifted. An educator who built a network of regional educators shifted the landscape of the movement.
2002
UAHC Commission on Lifelong Learning established, and a Reform Movement curriculum was developed with NATE members serving as partners
2004
NATE established the Distinguished Educator Honor
2015
NATE realigned its mission and then changed its name to Association of Reform Jewish Educators
The cohorts of graduates from HUC’s Executive Master's were game changers for ARJE. Now, educators doing the work understood they had opportunities to elevate their practice, and the additional entry points for professional development and leadership emerged.
2016
ARJE merged with Reform Youth Professionals Association
2018
ARJE obtained its own 501c3 status
2019
ARJE developed Vision for Excellence in Jewish Education
2021
ARJE adopted its own Code of Ethics
Just as we were focused on our seats at leadership tables, we wanted to build our own tables by raising each other up, by promoting our work, our ethic of excellence, and our spirit of collaboration.
2021
ARJE investments grew to $1,000,000
2022
Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE appointed the second full-time Executive Director (now CEO) of ARJE.
2024
ARJE and ECE-RJ held first joint conference
2024
ARJE initiated the creation of the Reform Movement Israel Education Outcomes
As the movement’s institutions have evolved, ARJE has assumed new roles and spaces. The Israel Education outcomes demonstrate how we can be at the forefront of defining outcomes for the movement and convening stakeholders for critical conversations.