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.

2:00pm EDT

Ask Mrs. Lincoln

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Meet the real Mary Todd Lincoln. Discover why the wife of Abraham Lincoln was so disliked. Was she really insane? What was it like to be married to Abe, to live in Washington during the Civil War, to be the wife of the president? Understand what it was like for Jews during the Civil War? What was Lincoln’s relationship to the Jewish people? After the presentation, there will be a discussion about how this information can be effective in congregational afternoon schools, day schools, and for adults. In addition, participants will explore how they might be able to take on characters and bring history to life in their classrooms.

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 →

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

American Jewish Community History/Holocaust

3:45pm EDT

How To Teach Any Subject Effectively

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Great teaching is both an art form and a science. Master teachers stand out because they employ five basic practices (and they know that 95% of classroom management challenges begin with the teacher). Whether you are a new teacher or a veteran, this session will sharpen your awareness and skills in achieving greater mastery of the craft.

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 →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Classroom Management

8:30am EDT

Rewards Without Candy: Using A System of Positive Reinforcement to Manage Behavior and Build Classroom Community

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Explore a positive behavior reinforcement plan, with meaningful rewards and elements applicable to most classroom settings, that gets kids from grades 2-7 to "buy in." We’ll also discuss ways to build relationships through classroom management and take time to share our own strategies, challenges, and successes.

Speakers

Greg Sager

Religious School Teacher, Temple Shalom

Greg Sager is a religious school teacher at Temple Shalom in Newton, Massachusetts. A second-generation educator, he has over 20 years' experience working with children in every grade from K-12 in supplemental school, camp, and youth group settings, with a focus on upper elementary... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Classroom Management Creating Community

10:30am EDT

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 1 of 2 (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Come sing songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the first half of the year, Rosh Hashanah – Chanukah. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s workshops at NewCAJE before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Lisa Baydush is an engaging early childhood music specialist who delights in transmitting the values, stories and traditions of Judaism through the medium of Jewish music. A dynamic teacher and Tot Shabbat service leader at two congregations in Maryland, Lisa is also a prolific... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Early Childhood Education Music

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

4:15pm EDT

Empowering Educators: ShalomLearning's Inclusive Curricula & Support

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Discover ShalomLearning's comprehensive Jewish Values and Hebrew curricula, designed for impactful learning. Explore accessible, inclusive materials and robust professional development that supports educators in creating engaging and meaningful Jewish educational experiences.

Speakers

Shira Sender

Director/Head of School, Director of Client Care and Teacher Support

TBD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Hebrew/Yiddish Teaching Tools & Techniques

8:30am EDT

Back to School: Remarkable Facts Learned in Towson University’s Holocaust Education Certificate Program

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

For educators who want to take their Holocaust knowledge to the next level. Led by a current student in Towson University’s Holocaust Education Certificate Program, this session will uncover powerful stories of resilience, tragedy, and human spirit that are often left out of mainstream narratives. Participants will explore hidden histories, surprising facts, and remarkable individual experiences that shed new light on one of history's darkest periods. Prepare to be moved, challenged, and inspired by a presentation that brings the past vividly to life and deepens your understanding of the Holocaust in profound ways.

Speakers

Alana Snyder

Student, Towson University

Alana Snyder is an administrator and special educator with Baltimore County Public Schools. She also teaches a Holocaust course at Rosenbloom Religious School and founded the nonprofit 3G Baltimore, a local organization for grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. She is enrolled in... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

History/Holocaust

Subject Holocaust/Antisemitism Certificate

10:30am EDT

This Is How You’ll Want to Teach the Holocaust: A Scope and Sequence for Middle School Holocaust Education

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Come learn from an experienced Holocaust educator how to design comprehensive and engaging lessons on this difficult subject. The session will also introduce five of the best interactive, multimedia resources that can help bring the history and lessons of the Holocaust to life for students. Effective strategies for fostering critical thinking and empathy will be provided.

Speakers

Alana Snyder

Student, Towson University

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

History/Holocaust

Subject Holocaust/Antisemitism Certificate

2:00pm EDT

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 2 of 2 (Tu B’shvat, Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha-atzmaut)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Come sing the songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the second half of the year, Tu B’shvat – Yom Ha’atzmaut and Shabbat. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s NewCAJE workshops before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Early Childhood Education Music

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

4:00pm EDT

Art for Non-Artists

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

Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Does creativity make you queasy? Does “art” send shivers up your spine? You’ve come to the right place! In this workshop, we'll explore practical, easy-to-implement techniques to make your lessons come alive through visual arts, dance, poetry, and other creative projects. No artistic skills required—just a willingness to explore!

Speakers

Emily Meyer

Rabbi Emily Meyer believes that creativity fosters a meaningful and enduring sense of belonging. She is the creator of Doodly Jew, a project designed to spark creativity in Hebrew learning and calls Temple Emanuel of the South Hills in Pittsburgh, PA home.

Wednesday June 25, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - 130

Pedagogy