NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Advancing in the Field of Jewish Education

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

Who is a Jewish Educator? What do Jewish Educators do? What is the training needed to be a Jewish Educator? are questions that in 2026 have new answers, new relevance and new context. In this session, we will explore the mindsets and skillsets most used by Jewish educators, reflect on some recent career trends, and share more about who you are and where you might want to go. Stacy Rigler, CEO of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators, will use her experience and expertise to help you answer the big questions you have in the field as well as identify the more individual information you want to know to help you on your journey.

Speakers

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE is CEO of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. She served as a Rabbi Educator at Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA, then worked at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Stacy volunteers with RAC-PA Onward Hebrew and Camp Harlam. She received her MAJE and... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Administration

Company Administration, Big Picture of Jewish Education
Audience Principals, Not Age-Specific
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Toddling Through Prayer

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

College Hall Rm 320

This workshop explores ways to make prayer engaging, meaningful, and accessible for young children. Participants will learn practical strategies, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate approaches to help toddlers and preschoolers connect with spiritual practice in ways that feel natural and joyful.

Speakers

Elyssa Brinn

Director of the Early Years Program, Strelitz International Academy

Elyssa Brinn is the Director of Early Years at Strelitz International Academy. She has been in this role for 10 years, and a dynamic Jewish educator in the field for over 25 years. Elyssa's experience and expertise spans Infancy through Kindergarten, with extensive experience in each... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 320

Early Childhood Education, Spirituality/Tefilah

Company Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience Principals, Teachers
Track ECE
Type Main

11:00am EDT

What I Wish I'd Known My First Year As Education Director

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

College Hall Rm 323

Surprise! You're the new Education Director for a supplementary school. Now what? Hear from a new Director about her experiences during her first year and connect with other new-ish directors to build your network. Participants will gain advice and practical skills they can use going forward in their careers.

Speakers

Elizabeth Moore

Elizabeth has been the Education Director at Congregation Beth Evergreen for three years, after being suddenly thrust into the role when her predecessor left unexpectedly. She also doubles as the temple's administrator, and has been working in an administrative capacity for nearly... Read More →

Teacher Handbook pdf

Family Handbook pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 323

Administration, Administration

Company Administration
Audience Principals, Early Childhood
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Holocaust Discussion Hands-on Tools

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

College Hall Rm 319

This interactive session equips educators with practical, ready-to-use tools for engaging students in meaningful Holocaust education. Through art, poetry, storytelling, and guided discussion strategies, participants will learn how to foster empathy, critical thinking, resilience, and historical understanding in age-appropriate ways. Educators will leave with hands-on activities and resources designed to help students connect Holocaust lessons to contemporary issues of identity, courage, kindness, and human responsibility.

Speakers

Jennifer Alembik

Cheryl is an educator and advocate for Holocaust remembrance and youth empowerment. She is the Founder and President of the Holocaust Youth Survivors Legacy Foundation, Inc., where she creates arts- and poetry-based programs that bring survivor voices to students. Her work is dedicated... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 319

History, Big Picture of Jewish Education

Company History, Big Picture of Jewish Education
Audience Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals
Track Holocaust
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Experiential Learning for Beginners

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

College Hall Rm 348

There are so many ways to create learning experiences that engage our students. What if you could create experiences where the students are the masters of their own learning? Experiential learning may be the answer. In this session we will begin to explore how one educator has helped teachers adapt the methods and ideas developed by the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, where he trained. We will attempt the deliberate infusion of Jewish Values (Middot) into engaging and memorable experiences that impact on the formation of Jewish Identity.

Speakers

Ira Wise

Ira currently serves as Temple Educator at Temple Beth Tikvah, a Reform congregation in Madison, CT, and has served as a mentor for other synagogue educators through the Leadership Institute, HUC-JIR and Beit T'shuvah. He has attended and presented at CAJE and NewCAJE off and on... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Teaching Tools and Techniques, Jewish Life & Identity

Audience Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

From Learning to Leading: How MTEI Alumni Create Change in Their Schools

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

In this session, MTEI alumni will share how they have brought core MTEI principles to life in their settings. Participants will explore concrete examples of instructional leadership in action from curriculum innovation to faculty growth and community building. Participants will gain practical ideas, strategies, and resources they can adapt to their own work, while reflecting on how they, too, can lead meaningful change in their communities.

Speakers

Seymour Kopelowitz

Program Director, MTEI

Seymour Kopelowitz is the program director of MTEI at the Mandel Foundation. He has served as a day school principal, Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, and Executive Director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland. Seymour has a Ph.D. in educational leadership... Read More →

Deborah Niederman, RJE

Leader of Recruitment, Mandel Teacher Educator Institute

Deborah Niederman, RJE is the Leader of Recruitment for the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) and Director of Education at Temple Shalom in Dallas, TX. With over 30 years in Jewish education, she is passionate about mentoring leaders, fostering innovation, and integrating learning... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Administration, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Administration
Audience Principals
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

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

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

4:45pm EDT

4:45pm EDT

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