NewCAJE16: Full Schedule

The NewCAJE conference is a vibrant gathering that unites Jewish educators and professionals to strengthen the Jewish community through education. Rooted in the legacy of CAJE, NewCAJE fosters innovation, collaboration, and inspiration. The conference offers space for sharing best practices, exploring new ideas, and deepening Jewish and educational learning. Committed to inclusivity and pluralism, it welcomes educators from all backgrounds, creating a supportive network that empowers them to make a lasting impact.

2:00pm EDT

Who, When, Where, Why: The What and How of Calendar Planning the Year

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Let's workshop how to plan out the year in advance, while allowing room for the things that will inevitably cause you to pivot. We will look at tools to help you in the planning, share best practices, and even think about ways to make the calendar do the hard work for you. This workshop is designed for directors of supplemental settings, but useful to anyone thinking big picture about the year ahead.

Speakers

Aileen Heiman

Director of Education and Engagement, Park Slope Jewish Center

Aileen Heiman is the Director of Education and Engagement at Park Slope Jewish Center in Brooklyn, NY. She holds an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew College and an MA in Jewish Studies from the RRC. Aileen has been involved with NewCAJE since interning with CAJE and loves the joyous... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Admin Big Picture of Jewish Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

2:00pm EDT

Reaching and Teaching All Learners: Creating a Culture of Inclusion in the Supplemental School Setting

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

This session offers practical approaches, tools and insights to support diverse learners and cultivate a welcoming environment in Jewish supplemental schools.

Speakers

Meredith Polsky

Founder & Director of Vision and Impact, Matan

Meredith Polsky, Founder & Director of Vision and Impact at Matan, is a nationally sought-after speaker on Jewish Disability Inclusion and is often called upon as an expert voice in the field. A 2017 Covenant Award winner, Meredith is also a licensed clinical social worker and co-author... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Admin Special Needs Inclusion

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

2:00pm EDT

The Four Children of the Youth Staff: Understanding Your Madrichim

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Not all madrichim are created equal—and that’s a good thing. Some are natural teachers, others are quiet anchors, and some just need the right spark to shine. Learn strategies for leveraging their strengths and challenges in order to turn teen helpers into confident classroom partners.

Speakers

Natan Lapin

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Classroom Management Teens

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

3:45pm EDT

Adaptive Leadership post 10/7: Navigating Change and Building Resilience in a Dynamic Educational Landscape

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

In today’s rapidly changing world, Jewish educators face unique challenges in leading schools, engaging students, and fostering strong community involvement. Adaptive leadership offers a proven framework that helps leaders and organizations navigate complex environments and address the evolving needs of students, parents, and communities. This session will introduce educators to the principles of adaptive leadership, a model that moves beyond traditional top-down or bottom-up approaches to provide practical tools for thriving in uncertain, ever-changing educational settings.

Speakers

Hana Bor

Professor, Program Director, Founding Director for Education Centers, Towson University

Hana Bor is a Towson University professor in the Family Science Department and the Founding Director of The Sandra R. Berman Center for Humanity, Tolerance & Holocaust Education at Towson University. She is also the Program Director for the Holocaust Education Graduate Certificate... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Admin Adult Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

10:30am EDT

Filling the Faculty Toolbox: Setting Your Teachers Up for Success

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 277

How can we empower our teachers to thrive? This session reveals concrete strategies for supporting educators through targeted development, personalized coaching, and strategic observations. Learn how proven approaches can transform school culture, overcome implementation obstacles, and equip teachers with essential tools for success.

Speakers

Ronni Ticker

Classroom Teacher - Elementary, Classrooom Teacher - Middle School, Consultant, Self Employed

Ronni Ticker, Founder & Chief Imagination Officer of Jewish Learning Central, is a creative strategic thinker consulting with synagogues and non-profits to reimagine learning and engagement. Ronni is also the Director of Family Engagement for the Federation of Palm Beach County. She... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Admin Big Picture of Jewish Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

10:30am EDT

Level Up Your Tw-Teen Education or Engagement Program

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

As a lingering effect of Covid-19, many middle and high school youth-serving professionals have struggled to get their programs rolling again. Participation and enthusiasm have waned. Some professionals have figured out the problem and the solution in their communities, but many are still working hard at figuring it out. For those who are still trying to figure it out, you are not alone! Whether your focus is Hebrew high or youth group or teen philanthropy or service learning or something in-between, this workshop will explore a multitude of ways to reset and reinvigorate your middle and high school education or engagement program.

The goals for our time together are:
• Discuss what is working and what is not working in your community
• Learn about best practices in the field
• Engage in a collegial brainstorm/idea share
* Have an understanding of successes, challenges, and best practices in the field.
* Create a community of professionals to learn with and connect with after the conference.

Speakers

Erica Hruby

Senior Manager, National Teen Education Initiatives, The Jewish Education Project

Erica Hruby, M.A. is a master Jewish educator with nearly 30-years of teaching, curriculum writing, and professional development experience in Jewish community, academic, and residential environments. Erica serves as Senior Manager, National Teen Education Initiatives at The Jewish... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Admin Teens

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

10:30am EDT

B’Yahad: Living Our Judaism Together…Combining Experiential Education with a Spiral Curriculum for Small Schools

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 246

Do the traditional Religious School curriculums no longer work for your small school? Examine what one school did to solve this problem with all-school activities, flexibility and individualization and come away with tools and ideas to create a curriculum that better suits your school.

Speakers

Nichole Chorny

Education and Youth Director, Congregation Anshei Israel

Nichole Chorny has been serving as the Education and Youth Director at Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson, AZ since 2020 and as the full-time Cantorial Soloist since 2014. As a clergy/educator, she values the importance of cutting down silos between the education department and... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 246

Alternative Models of Jewish Education Creating Community

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

8:30am EDT

Using Coaching as a Supervisory Technique

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

The concept of coaching isn’t just for the business world, the Jewish communal world can benefit too! This session will teach the fundamentals of one coaching model and demonstrate how implementing coaching strategies can elevate all aspects of the organization through building confidence, competence, and commitment. Come ready to learn and practice.

Speakers

Erica Hruby

Senior Manager, National Teen Education Initiatives, The Jewish Education Project

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

Admin Big Picture of Jewish Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

8:30am EDT

Building Learning Communities with Intention

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

An interactive session that offers a hands-on introduction to MTEI’s approach to building community. Through a variety of engaging exercises, you’ll experience how intentionally designed structures can foster playful, joyful, and risk-taking environments—what MTEI calls a “relational learning community.” Together, we’ll explore how community-building is not only a goal of our work but also a powerful method for how we do our work. Come ready to learn, connect, and imagine new collective possibilities.

Speakers

Deborah Niederman

Leader of Recruitment, Mandel Teacher Educator Institute

Deborah Niederman, RJE is the Leader of Recruitment for the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute. She has been a leader in Jewish Education for over 30 years, serving congregations, acting as a consultant, researcher, curriculum writer and mentor.

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Creating Community Teaching Tools & Techniques

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

10:30am EDT

Why Invest Time and Energy in Family Education?

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

We will begin by talking about why Jewish education must include the whole family to be effective. Teaching parents and other family members makes a difference in every aspect of a child's Jewish education. We will learn about the framework of family education, and how it connects to the holiday cycle, the life-cycle, and Mitzvot. Finally, we will talk about planning with the parents and the importance of spiraling the curriculum over at least seven years. Please plan to come back for the second session if you want practical advice and support.

Speakers

Cherie Koller-Fox

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

Family Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

4:00pm EDT

Advocacy for Educational Leaders

Wednesday June 25, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Today's Jewish institutions sometimes feel like challenging places to work. In this session, we will identify our wants and needs that would help us be more successful in our work. We will then work together to recognize the barriers in our way, the competing tensions that may exist, and craft a plan to advocate for those needs or creatively address the challenges.

Speakers

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE is Executive Director of the Associatiom of Reform Jewish Educators. A lifelong learner, Stacy is passionate about inspiring excellence, advancing the field of Jewish education, and supporting fellow educators and students. Stacy serves as a member of the leadership... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Admin Big Picture of Jewish Education

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

8:30am EDT

The Growth Mindset Educator

Thursday June 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - G46

Growth Mindsets to Unlock Communal Transformation
A growth mindset is crucial for both personal and organizational evolution. In this session, we’ll explore how to encourage curiosity, resilience, and persistence while also building a culture that values continual improvement. You’ll learn practical strategies to inspire others to experiment, learn from mistakes, and drive ongoing development, ensuring that your school community is one where everyone learns and grows.

Speakers

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Thursday June 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G46

Admin Creating Community

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

10:30am EDT

Turning Difficult Conversations into Constructive Collaborations

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - G46

Educational leaders often struggle with challenging stakeholder interactions. This session transforms potential conflicts into meaningful partnerships through strategic listening and advanced preparation techniques. Discover how one leader evolved from managing contentious parent interactions to developing a groundbreaking "Parents as Partners" approach that fundamentally reshaped school culture.

Speakers

Ronni Ticker

Classroom Teacher - Elementary, Classrooom Teacher - Middle School, Consultant, Self Employed

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G46

Admin Creating Community

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate