NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Want to add some awesome new holiday songs to your toolkit for school-age kids? Want to explore music as a powerful tool to teach content, engage emotions, move the body, and inspire the spirit? Want to have a lot of fun singing together? Come sing around the calendar!

Speakers

Eliana Light

Educator, Musician, and 2025 Covenant Foundation Family Education, The Light Lab

Eliana is working towards a world of One-ness, guided and inspired by Jewish heritage. She focuses on translating liturgy, prayer practice, and g?d-concepts in ways that are deep and accessible for all people at any age. Eliana’s music, gatherings, and teaching reflect a spirit... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Holidays, Music

Type Main, Virtual

11:00am EDT

Motivations, Misconceptions, and Missed Opportunities in Engaging Today's Jewish Teens

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

College Hall Rm 202

Today’s Jewish teens care deeply, but parents and stakeholders often misunderstand what matters to them. Explore the gap between what teens want and what the Jewish community offers. Through discussion and interactive activities, we’ll examine teen motivations, adult misconceptions, and identify missed opportunities. Leave the workshop with insights to foster authentic connection with your teens.

Speakers

Loen Amer

Loen Peltz Amer (she/her/הִיא) is The Jewish Education Project’s Senior Manager, Teen Education and Engagement. A thirteen-year synagogue experiential educator, Loen most recently worked at Temple Israel of Great Neck and Bet Torah in Mt. Kisco. Loen lives on Manhattan’s Upper... Read More →

Link to Slides for Sched Motivations, Misconceptions, and Missed Opportunities pdf

Looking to build more joyful, proud Jewish experiences? pdf

PD. Resources. Inspiration. It’s all waiting for you. The Jewish Educator Portal pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Teens/Youth Engagement, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Jewish Life & Identity
Audience Middle School, High School
Type Main, Virtual

4:45pm EDT

Making the Most of Madrichim

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT

College Hall Rm 202

Investing time, energy, and money in having a team of Madrichim (teen teaching assistants) can be a costeffective way to support students who need extra help, get younger children focused on learning, and bring in a fresh perspective on Jewish education. But without clear goals and support, many madrichim wait impatiently to be told what to do, display disdain for being asked to put away their phones, or find other ways to undermine teachers. Join Rabbi Daniel Brenner, VP- Education for Moving Traditions, Melissa Pescatore, Director of Youth Learning and Engagement of Temple Shaarei Emeth in Manalapan, NJ, and other education directors who partner with Moving Traditions to learn how schools are supporting high school students in making the most of their opportunity to serve as Jewish educators.

Speakers

Melissa Pescatore

Director of Youth Learning and Engagement, Temple Shaari Emeth

Melissa Pescatore is the Director of Youth Learning and Engagement at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, NJ. Serving as Education Director in the congregation where she grew up, she is passionate about instilling a love of learning and building a strong, positive Jewish identity in... Read More →

Daniel Brenner

Chief of Education and Program, Moving Traditions

Daniel Brenner is a rabbi who serves as the Vice President-Education for Moving Traditions.

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Classroom Management, Teens/Youth Engagement

Company Classroom Management
Audience Middle School, High School, Teachers, Principals
Type Main, Virtual

NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary

9:00am EDT

Eliana Light

11:00am EDT

Loen Amer

4:45pm EDT

Melissa Pescatore

Daniel Brenner

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