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

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

4:15pm EDT

Torah in Our Lives, Our Lives in Torah

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 121

This session will introduce Rabbi Leila Gal Berner's Kriat ha-Kodesh, "Reading the Holy," method of Torah study, a reflective approach that builds connections between the Torah and individuals' experiences and values. It will include a model study unit on one parashah, discussion of the experience, and exploration of the methodology.

Speakers

Paul Solyn

Adult Educator

Paul Solyn is an adult educator in Elmira, New York. He received an M.J.Ed. degree and family-educator certificate from Hebrew College and is an ordained maggid-educator. In May he received a graduate certificate in eco-spirituality at Hartford International University.

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Adult Education Spirituality Bible/Text

8:30am EDT

Two strange Torah passages: The Nephalim and the goat for Azazel

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 121

The story of the Nephalim and the description of the "scapegoat" which was sent to Azazel may seem strange in the context of the Torah, which we generally consider to be a monotheistic document. In this session we will examine these two stories and see how our various commentators have interpreted these passages.

Speakers

Stuart Lewis

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tutor, Congregation Beth Torah

Stu Lewis has been attending CAJE/NEWCAJE regularly for the past 34 years. He is an active member of Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, KS. His current involvement in Jewish education is as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor.

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Adult Education Torah L'shma

10:30am EDT

The Earth is Hashem’s: Environmental Learning for All Ages

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 246

Young students want to learn about nature and the environment, and mature students need to. This session will explore how these topics are presented and how to make them more prominent and meaningful. Participants will learn about a free downloadable curriculum for adults and will work together to create guidelines for incorporating ecological learning in their settings.

Speakers

Paul Solyn

Adult Educator

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 246

Adult Education Ecology

10:30am EDT

Pickling: The Covenant of Salt and The Meditation of a Cucumber

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

TBA

Learn about the holiness of salt and why preservation is important to Jewish traditions and your body while you are pickling fresh produce. Your pickles should be ready by the time you return home. Disclaimer: The knives and cutting boards have been toiled with an OU Rabbi supervising, they are only used for pickling, however, these items are not OU supervised during programming.

Speakers

Jill Eisen

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

Adult Education Torah L'shma