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.

10:30am EDT

Bringing Nature into your Curriculum, Shomrei Adamah for ELC - 5th grade: Seedballs, Nature Mandalas and Pinecones

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Experience nature and its Jewish values through the eyes of a 3-year-old. Play with nature while creating mystical mandalas. Feed the earth and tree side neighbors by making seedballs and birdseed pinecones to take home. Hear the story of Pearlstone/Adamah and the Owings Mills JCC on our three-year journey to create an early childhood nature curriculum that teachers were comfortable to try and engaged the children's imagination. Educators are welcome to adapt these lesson plans for any age learner.

Speakers

Jill Eisen

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Ecology

2:00pm EDT

Amazing Nature / Ma Rabu!

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

This session will empower participants to use the wonders of nature in order to engage their students in any subject matter.
Takeaways
"1. Understand the Rambam's guidance on using nature and science in order to engage Jewish learners.
2. One or more techniques for employing this strategy in your classroom."

Speakers

Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld

Adult Jewish educator, Jewish Teachers Institute

Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, PhD started teaching right out of college in rural Mississippi. With over 10 years of classroom experience and 20 years as an adult Jewish educator, he founded the Jewish Teachers Institute in 2016 which trains and mentors day school teachers, creates curricula... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Ecology Spirituality

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

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.

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

Adult Education Ecology