Adopted by the General Assembly
November 30 - December 3, 1995 Atlanta
Background The National Association of Temple Educators (NATE) was founded in 1954 by 101 Jewish educators working in Reform congregational settings. Over the past forty years, NATE has evolved into the professional organization that currently represents over 950 Jewish educators in Australia, Canada, England, Israel and the United States of America, working as directors of education in supplementary schools and day schools, camp directors, pre-school directors, program directors, and community agency and bureau directors.
NATE contributes daily to the vitality of Jewish education in both formal and informal settings. Its members, officers, and staff dedicate their minds and efforts to the support, augmentation, and enrichment of programs of Jewish education in synagogues, in camps, and the activities of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. NATE creates professional growth opportunities for Jewish educators through annual conferences, Kallot, and Israel seminars.
Members of NATE have raised the standards for Reform Jewish educators by establishing the Reform Jewish Educator (RJE) title in conjunction with the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the American Conference of Cantors, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
THEREFORE, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations resolves to:
1. Congratulate the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE) on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary;
2. Recognize and applaud the important role that the members of the National Association of Temple Educators play in ensuring that quality Jewish education programs are available to enrich the lives of the members of our congregations and ensure a vibrant and secure future for Reform Judaism; and
3. Affirm the central importance of Jewish education in transmitting the rich heritage and values of the Jewish people to present and future generations.