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

Glikl a Jewish Woman

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

Glikl of Hamlyn may have lived more than 400 years ago, but in many ways her life’s ambitions and struggles mirror today’s issues. The Jewish woman, whose 20-year diary describes life in Europe’s 17th century, is being turned into a graphic novel by a husband-and-wife team of educators. Mat and Julie Tonti. This project is aimed at making a digestible version for today.

Speakers

Julie Tonti

Educator, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore

Mat and Julie Tonti live with their children in the Washington, DC area, where they both work in the field of education, Mat as a rabbi and educator at Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School, and Julie works at Jewish Educational Services at The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore... Read More →

Rabbi Matt Tonti

By day, Rabbi Matisyahu Tonti, can be found teaching young musicians and Torah scholars at Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School in Washington DC. By night, he can be found dancing, drawing, and singing with his three children and wife.Rabbi Tonti has spent four years living and studying... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G11

History/Holocaust Visual Arts

8:30am EDT

Wool Needle Felting and the Energy of Separation

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 251

Learn how to needle wool felt 2D and 3D objects while text studying about the holiness of separation including shatness, the mitzvot of not combining linen and wool, and a modern scientific study that proves our ancestors knew what they were talking about.

Speakers

Jill Eisen

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 251

Torah L'shma Visual Arts

4:15pm EDT

Crafting the Mishkan: Reimagining Terumah and Vayakhel

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Many people think these two parshiyot are boring list of supplies. Our modern world has distanced us from the skills and techniques used in the creation of the Mishkan. Through a discussion of ancient techniques and modern related crafts, people will find stronger links to our ancestors and the work they did to create Adonai's earthly home. Participants will be able to bring this into their classrooms and make these parshiyot real and relatable to people of all ages.

Speakers

Emily Howard Meyer

Composer

Rabbi Emily Howard Meyer is a recent ordinee from the Academy of Jewish Religion. An accomplished composer and musician, Emily's compositions are performed by orchestras and in synagogues throughout the US. Emily loves to work with her hands and is a prolific weaver, spinner... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Bible/Text Visual Arts

4:15pm EDT

Draw your own Torah with Parsha Posters

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 278

How can we make Biblical stories relevant today? How can we use art to explore themes and characters in the Torah? Hillel created Parsha Posters--a series of graphic illustrations for each Torah portion--to find meaning in the Biblical text, and believes in visual art as a powerful way to share personal midrash. He leads this workshop with groups of all ages to provide the tools for greater understanding through artistic expression. We will begin with a brief talk about the fundamentals of minimalist design and about his inspiration for the project. Small groups will then read and discuss assigned Biblical texts. Finally, everyone will design and present their own posters as a way of reflecting visually on the Torah they just learned.

Speakers

Hillel Smith

Artist

Hillel Smith is an illustrator and designer who expands the boundaries of Jewish art through contemporary media. He paints Jewish murals around the world and founded the Jewish Street Art Festival. He has created art for PJ Library, BBYO, and HIAS. He leads art workshops and teaches... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 278

Bible/Text Visual Arts

10:30am EDT

Text as Texture

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - 101

Explore the use of letters and writing as an artistic element. Participants use a variety of media to create experimental typographic art informed by inspiration both Jewish and not. We'll begin by looking at art involving words and text, including Jewish art from across the centuries. Then everyone will have the opportunity to make word-based art of their own. No artistic skill required!

Speakers

Hillel Smith

Artist

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - 101

Visual Arts

2:00pm EDT

Sew Cool: Hands-on Learning for All

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

Van Meter Hall: VM - G27

Students love hands-on experiences. Come learn to implement some easy hands-on Tefillah and holiday art projects, and a few songs, that can be used in various ways with preschoolers through fourth grade! Participants will be able to make and take examples home.
Takeaways
1) How to make a Shema #1 pillow;
2) How to make hamantaschen out of construction paper;
3) How to use a Holiday Box for preschool Judaics;
4) How to build a Mi Chamocha Wall of Freedom

Speakers

Karen Daniel

Teacher and music specialist, Beth Meyer synagogue Raleigh NC

Karen Daniel is a preschool music specialist and religious school teacher at Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh, NC. She has taught and performed for many years at CAJE and NewCAJE and has recorded the Teachable, Singable and Jewish series of educational music, and her songs have been... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Van Meter Hall: VM - G27

Spirituality Visual Arts