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.

3:45pm EDT

Tot Shabbat with Savta Goose on the Loose

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Explore new ways to present Tot Shabbat using the Mother Goose on the Loose method! Tried and true techniques involving the flannel board engage children from birth to age four and their parents/ caregivers.

Speakers

Betsy Diamant-Cohen

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen developed the Mother Goose on the Loose (MGOL) early literacy program while working at the Israel Museum Youth Wing Library. MGOL has won numerous awards in the US; Betsy received the "Distinguished Services Award" from the Association for Library Service to... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Early Childhood Education Holiday/Lifecycle

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

3:45pm EDT

Create Sensory Play Experiences and Build an Inclusive and Supportive Classroom

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 277

In this session, participants will experience the self-regulating magic of hands-on sensory play! Participants will come away with concrete tools to build inclusive experiences for learners with a diverse array of learning and social skills. Sensory integration also supports children’s complex behaviors and development. This is ideal for early childhood and elementary classrooms but can be used with learners of all ages.

Speakers

Erin Beser

Director of Whole Community Inclusion, Jewish Learning Venture

Erin Beser is the Director of Whole Community Inclusion at the Jewish Learning Venture. She also currently teaches 6th grade Jewish studies at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr and is the founder and CEO of Adoughma Dough Play Events, a sensory education initiative working... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Early Childhood Education Special Needs Inclusion

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

8:30am EDT

Having Fun With Our Youngest Learners

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Teaching the pre-kindergarteners is a whole new world of fun. Come fill your bag with tricks and tips for working with four and five year olds in this workshop filled with hands on activities including cooking projects and craft ideas perfect for reaching this exciting age of children.

Speakers

Marcia Berneger

Torah School Teacher, Temple EmanuEl

Marcia Berneger teaches Torah School at Temple EmanuEl in San Diego. Her class is filled with 18 adorable 4 year olds--little sponges waiting to absorb all the love and Jewish fun she can provide. She's taught every grade level from Kindergarten through sixth grade, but has found... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Early Childhood Education Teaching Tools & Techniques

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

10:30am EDT

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 1 of 2 (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Come sing songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the first half of the year, Rosh Hashanah – Chanukah. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s workshops at NewCAJE before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Lisa Baydush is an engaging early childhood music specialist who delights in transmitting the values, stories and traditions of Judaism through the medium of Jewish music. A dynamic teacher and Tot Shabbat service leader at two congregations in Maryland, Lisa is also a prolific... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Early Childhood Education Music

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

8:30am EDT

Creating Classrooms that Support Inclusion, Behavior Management and Social-Emotional Learning

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Participants will explore how to design inclusive learning spaces by understanding children's complex behaviors as a manifestation of neurodiversity and sensory needs. Learning can be positively affected from the moment a child walks into a room and then supported during challenges and transitions, using the space, lesson design, and teacher language. There will be sensory play for attendees!

Speakers

Erin Beser

Director of Whole Community Inclusion, Jewish Learning Venture

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Classroom Management Special Needs Inclusion

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

8:30am EDT

Songs, Stories, & Props: Tools for Engaging Families & Young Children

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Explore some tools from the Tkiya Toolkit that will make your experiences for young children and their families more engaging, welcoming, and inspiring. Whether or not you are a musician, you'll leave with ideas you can implement right away, including tricks for keeping everyone in the room engaged, from the tiniest babies to the chattiest adults. This session is for anyone who works with toddlers, preschoolers, families, tot Shabbat, and early elementary groups.

Speakers

Carla Friend

Carla Friend is the Founder & Executive Director of Tkiya, an organization with the mission of creating joyful Jewish connection through participatory music experiences. Through Tkiya, Carla reaches 15,000 people per year with her unique methodology of Jewish education and engagement... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Early Childhood Education Teaching Tools & Techniques

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

10:30am EDT

Tot-Shabbat Siddur (With Dino Stickers!)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Come and get some new ideas for YOUR Tot-Shabbat Siddur, with manipulatives, and more new items than last year - share what has worked (and NOT worked) for you, and learn some more engagement strategies for parents as well as kids that will keep them coming each Shabbat!

Speakers

Shelli Aderman

@Clal: Director of Program Administration and Operations; @T&V: Youth Educator (I lead all youth and family services, and teach in the Hebrew School), Clal - NYC; Town and Village Conservative Synagogue - NYC

Shelli Aderman, she/her has been fortunate to work as a theatrical stage manager, Jewish educator, and synagogue administrator for over thirty years. Her diverse career complements her role at Clal, where she is responsible for the logistical and administrative aspects of Clal’s... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Early Childhood Education

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

10:30am EDT

Songs to the Tune of…

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Are you a preschool teacher who feels daunted by the idea of singing with your students? Are you searching for easy-to-remember repertoire to sing in your classroom? Come learn adaptations to classic songs with early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, who will share simple but engaging songs that will delight your students! Bring your inner child and be prepared to have fun! (This workshop is not intended for music educators, though they are most welcome.)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Early Childhood Education Music

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

2:00pm EDT

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 2 of 2 (Tu B’shvat, Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha-atzmaut)

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Come sing the songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the second half of the year, Tu B’shvat – Yom Ha’atzmaut and Shabbat. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s NewCAJE workshops before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Early Childhood Education Music

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

8:30am EDT

Magical Musical Mindfulness: Tools for our youngest friends

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Practicing mindfulness can have a profound impact on children, specifically when it comes to feelings of anxiety, ADHD, sleep, and self esteem. Using original Tkiya music and content, we will explore how to use mindfulness as a tool in early childhood and elementary spaces through a Jewish values lens.

Speakers

Morgan Zweibel

Education Coordinator, Tkiya

Morgan is the Education Coordinator at Tkiya where she teaches, manages curriculum, and trains teachers, helping to bring joyful Jewish connection to thousands of families each year. She was chosen as a Jewish Rock Radio’s Jewish All Star for 2023-24. Morgan is thrilled to combine... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Music Teaching Tools & Techniques

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

10:30am EDT

Wee Jam for Justice

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G48

Are toddlers too young to learn about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ)? As it turns out, research shows us how important it is to scaffold these concepts from a young age. Together we’ll explore how Tkiya teaches DEIJ through a Jewish lens. Join in with participatory songs, stories, t’filah, and more. We’ll discuss why it is important to support families in having conversations about these difficult topics in ways that are developmentally appropriate and centered around Jewish values. You will have the opportunity to come up with ways small and large to bring these ideas back to our communities.

Speakers

Carla Friend

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G48

Early Childhood Education

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate