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.

8:30am EDT

Mitzvah and Mystery: Using Intrigue and Curiosity to Bring Jewish Learning to Life

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Experience “The Stolen Speech,” a mystery game designed pre-teens and teens on their B'mitzvah journey -- and learn how mystery-based learning can make Jewish education more enjoyable and meaningful. Walk away with tools to build intrigue, encourage problem-solving, and deepen connection across age groups and topics.

Speakers

Sari Kopitnikoff

Educator, Digital Artist, and Content Creator, @thatjewishmoment

Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist, and content creator. She’s passionate about creating books, games, and shows that bring Judaism to life. She taught for over a decade and now runs programs and experiences all over for kids, teens, and adults. Find lots... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Teens

10:30am EDT

Sarah and David’s Read Hebrew Now: A fun, focused and systematic approach to Hebrew reading

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Hebrew reading is a key objective of Jewish education. Sarah and David’s RHN is designed to build reading skills and confidence for beginners of all ages. Techniques like 'beans, beats and baskets’ and a consistent approach from book-to-book and year-to-year enable students to build accuracy and fluency for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and beyond.

Speakers

Diana Yacobi

Ed Director - retired, Read Hebrew Now

Diana Yacobi has completed a Masters in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She served as the Educational Director of synagogue schools and published articles about after school Jewish education. She is a product of synagogue school education and created Read... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Hebrew/Yiddish

4:15pm EDT

The Gematria of Tzitzit: Bringing the Mitzvah of Tallit Alive for our Students

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - 101

The idea of placing our tradition on the shoulders of our B'Mitvah students through wearing a tallit can feel like a lot to a thirteen year old adolescent. Join me in one of my students' favorite lessons! Together, we will learn about gematria, the mystical math tradition of the Hebrew letters and how it relates to tzitzit. Study the texts that instruct us to wear fringes and then we will then learn how to tie tzitzit. You'll leave with one of your very own to tie on a backpack, attach to a keychain, or hang on a bulletin board to be a reminder of the mitzvot. In turn, you'll be able to teach it to your own students!

Speakers

Jeri Robins

Cantor / Director of Education, B'Mitzvah Tutors, Cantor, Classroom Teacher - Elementary, Classrooom Teacher - Middle School, Director/Head of School

Boston-based Cantor Jeri Robins serves as the Cantor at Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, Director of Education at Temple Chayai Shalom in Easton, and teaches at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, as well as working with students privately. A graduate of Hebrew College with cantorial... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - 101

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

4:15pm EDT

If My Talit Could Talk...?

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Many young people first wear a tallit at their b'rit mitzvah services . How can we encourage them to find meaning in a cherished tradition? This session will demonstrate how seeking personal answers, based on traditional prooftexts, can bring a young person closer to the past and more connected with Jewish ritual.

Speakers

Dina Shtull

Head of School Emeritus, Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor

Dina Shtull is Head of School Emeritus at the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor. She currently teaches Torah trope privately and at the school to all the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. She is the author of three children's books, all available on Amazon.

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Spirituality

10:30am EDT

Davenning and Trope – What do you need to Learn?

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 121

For teachers of students from Adults to Pre-Teens: if you teach "synagogue skills" – Liturgy, Nusach chants, and/or Trope – what do you want and need to learn from a new textbook and videos on these subjects? What would best meet your teaching needs?

Participants will be introduced to new teaching resources that are "in-progress", and in turn, participants are invited to express the topics, concepts, and specific skills that they need from these new materials, which are in the "preliminary stages" of preparation.

Speakers

David Schwartz

Education Director, Temple Har Zion

David Schwartz is the Education Director at Temple Har Zion in Chicago. When he is not doing that he is a B’nai Mitzvah tutor and a Jewish storyteller. David is also on the Executive Board of the Jewish Educators Assembly and an MTEI graduate. However, his most important role is... Read More →

Cantor Neil Schwartz

Director of Education, Temple Har Zion; River Forest, IL

Neil Schwartz graduated JTS in 1980; he has a Master of Arts in Religion and Culture, and 5 Units of Chaplaincy Training. Cantor Neil retired after 42 years in 7 synagogues (3 as "Kol Bo"); he taught the IMUN Lay Leader program, and Trope and Nusach online for Hebrew College. He... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Pedagogy

2:00pm EDT

What Does a Haftarah Text Have to Say to a Thirteen-Year-Old?

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Using Haftarat Va-yeshev (from the book of Amos) as an example, we will study the background of the haftarah and its connection to the Torah portion. After unpacking the poetry of the text, we will discuss how we would teach this Haftara, focusing on what will speak to a thirteen-year-old. Applicable to any haftarah; the session is not restricted to B-Mitzvah teachers.

Speakers

Everett Fox

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 121

Bible/Text Bar/Bat Mitzvah

4:00pm EDT

What do I need for Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation - Topics for Literacy: Sarah and David's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

Participants will be able to broaden Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation to include an introduction to Tanakh, Torah, parashah, the structure of a service. Students can ground themselves in the geography of Tanakh to help see the big picture. On the Hebrew side, students will have key prayers and overview of essential Hebrew reading skills. Attendees will receive a copy of the Sarah and David Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book.

Speakers

Diana Yacobi

Ed Director - retired, Read Hebrew Now

Wednesday June 25, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Hebrew/Yiddish