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

Free Speech versus Hate Speech: Role Playing as an Entry Point to Discussing Controversial Topics

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

Should there be limits to free speech? In this workshop, we’ll use creative role-play to explore how people in the past tackled tough questions. We’ll look at the events in Skokie in the late 1970s and compare free speech in the U.S., Germany, and Israel.

Speakers

Rebecca Shargel

Professor of Education, Towson University

Rebecca Shargel is Professor of Education at Towson University. She also designs and creates online simulations for the Jewish Court of All Time, for middle schoolers in Jewish schools (day schools and Hebrew schools) to deliberate on controversial topics. She researches collaborative... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G02

American Jewish Community Storytelling

Subject Holocaust/Antisemitism Certificate

8:30am EDT

From Survivor Memory to Living Teller: Training a New Generation to Take Up the Role of Holocaust Witness

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

The window to experience living Holocaust survivor testimony is closing. In 2024, 9 young adults interviewed 8 survivors and learned to tell their stories. We will hear about this project, listen to some of the stories, and have a panel discussion with participants - storytellers, survivors, and instructors.

Dr. Steve Salzberg, Survivor Henry Weil, and Storyteller Maddi Ruiz - session panelists

Speakers

Deborah Fripp

Executive Director, Teach the Shoah

Dr. Deborah Fripp is the Executive Director of Teach the Shoah. Teach the Shoah’s mission is to train people of all ages, generations, and backgrounds to share testimony-based stories and lessons of the Holocaust. Deborah is the author of Light from the Darkness: a ritual for Yom... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

History/Holocaust Storytelling

Subject Holocaust/Antisemitism Certificate

8:30am EDT

Louder! Louder! Give Voice to Our Stories Using Drama in the Classroom

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Lift stories off the page and onto the stage! We will explore how to write simple scripts for the classroom. Use drama to lead your students in making connections with Torah characters, content, and each other! Take away tips for writing and using your own short skits for classroom use.

Speakers

Tanya Wisoker

Adult Educator, Storyteller

Tanya has been telling stories her whole life, starting with reading to her little sister. She worked with preschoolers, as a museum interpreter, and as a Religious School principal. Tanya was a Day School science teacher and drama coach for 11 years before retiring to pursue... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Storytelling Bible/Text

10:30am EDT

Using Storytelling to Process Intergenerational Trauma in Children of Holocaust Survivors

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

Growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors (being a 2G) can be difficult. Learning to tell their parent’s story gives 2Gs the opportunity to process this passed-down trauma. Hear from psychotherapists about storytelling’s effect on intergeneration trauma and from 2Gs about their experiences learning to tell their parents’ stories.

Dr. Steve Salzberg, Dr. Rachel Miller, Dorothy Gold, Judy Gartner, Bob Lowy, and Berly Hershkovitz - panelists

Speakers

Karen Webber

Adult Educator, Artist, Cantor, Clergy Educator, Entertainer, Musician, Online Tutor (Hebrew or Judaica), Spiritual Leader, Specialist, Storyteller

Karen Webber is a liturgical, teaching and performing artist who builds theatre/music pieces for elder care facilities, mental health centers, public parks and the bimah. An ordained cantor since 1990 (HUC-JIR), Karen is also an accredited teaching artist and a certified Peer Support... Read More →

Deborah Fripp

Executive Director, Teach the Shoah

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G07

History/Holocaust Storytelling

Subject Holocaust/Antisemitism Certificate

10:30am EDT

Who is Dona Gracia de Nasi?

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 277

Meet one of the most important women of the Renaissance, forgotten in the history books. Dona Gracia was an extraordinary secret Jew who was one of the richest women in the world. She saved hundreds if not thousands of Jewish lives while living as a practicing Catholic. What was it like to live in secret, to live in fear of being exposed? Discover this remarkable woman’s story and see how one woman could make such a difference.

Speakers

Heléna Eilenberg

Adult Educator, Consultant, Informal/Camp Educator, Online Tutor (Hebrew or Judaica), Storyteller, Merrick Jewish Centre

Heléna Geberer Eilenberg is an actress, a Jewish educator (Director of Education, principal) and a history teacher. In full character and dress, she portrays unique, fascinating women who are almost forgotten in our history books. For adults, middle and high school and upper elementary... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 277

History/Holocaust Storytelling

2:00pm EDT

Full Circle Storytelling: Bringing Your Stories to Life and the World (Zoom session)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Discover how to turn meaningful family histories, powerful historical events, and important stories into published books that inspire the next generation. As students write to be read by others they enter a virtuous cycle of learning, self-expression, and cultural preservation. Whether you're capturing memories from a grandparent or reimagining pivotal moment is history, etc... this session will show how this kind of storytelling can enhance learning in your classroom.

Speakers

John Yen

John Yen is the CEO and Co-Founder of StoryJumper, a full circle educational technology platform that empowers students and adults to become published authors and share their books with the world. With a passion for making learning joyful and meaningful, John has helped millions of... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G50

Creating Community Storytelling