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

The Four Children of the Youth Staff: Understanding Your Madrichim

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Not all madrichim are created equal—and that’s a good thing. Some are natural teachers, others are quiet anchors, and some just need the right spark to shine. Learn strategies for leveraging their strengths and challenges in order to turn teen helpers into confident classroom partners.

Speakers

Natan Lapin

Monday June 23, 2025 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Classroom Management Teens

Subject Admin/School Directors Certificate

3:45pm EDT

Turning Our History into Memory

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

In the limited hours we have each week to shape Jewish identity, how can we help students transform over 3,500 years of Jewish history into meaningful, lasting memory? Join IsraelLINK for an interactive workshop introducing a new educational methodology designed to help learners not only connect the dots of our shared story, but see themselves within it.

Speakers

Ida Kahn

IsraelLink

Before joining the IsraelLINK Team, Ida taught in both day and synagogue supplementary schools, bringing her talent for developing curricula to the classrooms. A life-long learner, Ida recently completed a master’s program in teaching Judaic studies. In her teaching as well as... Read More →

Monday June 23, 2025 3:45pm - 5:15pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

History/Holocaust Teaching Tools & Techniques

10:30am EDT

Everyone Needs Recovery - only some are brave enough to admit it…

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

There are no Jewish addicts, right? Wrong. Are the 12 Steps of recovery Jewish? Why do so many suffer in silence, and what can we do to get help to those in need? What tools does Judaism offer those who experience the disease and pain of addiction? How can we better serve those crying out for help? Where is hope to be found?

Speakers

Rabbi Ilan Glazer

I work with Our Jewish Recovery, creating learning and healing opportunities for anyone impacted by addiction in the Jewish community. I also am the part-time rabbi of Adat Chaim in Owings Mills, MD, the lead teacher for Baltimore's Intro to Judaism program, and a musician, storyteller, and prayer leader in a few other communities., Founding Rabbi & Executive Director

Rabbi Ilan is dedicated to helping others embrace recovery, heal the grief they carry, and find music, blessings, and spiritual growth even in the difficulties of life. Ilan is the founder of Our Jewish Recovery, author of And God Created Recovery, rabbi of Adat Chaim, musician, educator... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Self-Care/Well-Being

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

8:30am EDT

Dinosaurs and Other Derailments

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Great educators meet their students wherever they’re at. If your students are into baseball and you can connect that to Judaism, you’ve hit a home run. Come to this session with wild topics your students might be interested in, and I’ll show you how to make that work with your curriculum.

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 →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Pedagogy

10:30am EDT

Tot-Shabbat Siddur (With Dino Stickers!)

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Come and get some new ideas for YOUR Tot-Shabbat Siddur, with manipulatives, and more new items than last year - share what has worked (and NOT worked) for you, and learn some more engagement strategies for parents as well as kids that will keep them coming each Shabbat!

Speakers

Shelli Aderman

@Clal: Director of Program Administration and Operations; @T&V: Youth Educator (I lead all youth and family services, and teach in the Hebrew School), Clal - NYC; Town and Village Conservative Synagogue - NYC

Shelli Aderman, she/her has been fortunate to work as a theatrical stage manager, Jewish educator, and synagogue administrator for over thirty years. Her diverse career complements her role at Clal, where she is responsible for the logistical and administrative aspects of Clal’s... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Early Childhood Education

Subject Early Childhood Education Certificate

4:00pm EDT

Six Ways of Chanting Trope During a Full Year

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

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

During the cycle of a Jewish Year, we use one set of Trope Symbols to chant six different ways: Torah, Haftarah, High Holy Days Torah, Esther, Eichah, and RaKa"SH (Ruth–Kohelet–Shir HaShirim). Learn how these melodies reflect the moods of each Book!
Takeaways
How a complete set of Trope marks reflects the grammar, punctuation, and accentuation of each Biblical book, and how the specific set of melodies within a given Trope system reflects the ambience and mood of each different type of Biblical book.

Speakers

David Schwartz

Education Director, Temple Har Zion

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 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Music Torah L'shma

8:30am EDT

Unaffiliated Teens : What Do We Owe Them? Deepdive into Rebuilding Community – How Dungeons & Dragons Worked for Us!

Thursday June 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Teens are disconnected and unaffiliated. USY’s regional support disappeared. Where do we go from here? Starting a Dungeons & Dragons Club for teens reinvigorated our local AAUSY chapter. Now, a year later, I have reflected on how and why other congregations could make this model work for them too!

Speakers

Zoe Steiner

Education & Engagement Coordinator and Youth Advisor, Congregation Agudas Achim

Zoe Steiner is the Education & Engagement Coordinator and Youth Advisor at Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, Texas. Over the last 2 years in this role she has worked to rebuild the community’s inactive Chaverim, Gesher, and USY youth group membership and participation back... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Creating Community Teens

10:30am EDT

Deepening Our Relationship with the Now (Using a Fun Call and Response Shehecheyanu!)

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Explore using this fun new musical Shehecheyanu setting as a tool for kicking off the new school year and Rosh Hashanah with more intention. Adaptable for early childhood education through adults, this Shehecheyanu setting incorporates breath, call and response, and focused awareness to bring our attention to ... this ... very ... moment.

Speakers

Rory Michelle Sullivan

Artist-in-Residence

Rory Michelle Sullivan’s work as singer/songwriter, songleader, musician, composer, educator, curriculum writer, and consultant with a range of Jewish communities and ages inspires spiritual connection, growth, and joy through healthy, authentic, creative, and constructive relationships... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Julia Rogers: JR - G27

Music Spirituality