NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

You CAN transform your Tefilah program. We'll learn how to:
• Identify strengths and opportunities for growth
• Set clear, achievable goals for your Tefilah program
• Train and empower faculty as confident, creative Tefilah leaders
• Integrate emotional and spiritual wellness practices into traditional prayer

Speakers

Joshua Cahan

Joshua Cahan is a writer and tefilah consultant from Riverdale, NY. He is the author of The Yedid Nefesh Bencher, The Yedid Nefesh Haggadah, and a new series of siddurim for camps and schools. He has rabbinic ordination and a Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish Theological... Read More →

The Tefilah Reboot Project docx

Tefilah Reboot pptx

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Graduate Lounge

Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience Middle School, High School, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Comparing Shabbat Service Sections

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Maria Hall Yoga Room

You may have been to Shabbat services, but have you thought about how the different services on Shabbat work? In this section we’ll explore how the different Shabbat services are similar, comparing structures, prayers, and nusach (traditional chanting). You’ll leave with a new appreciation and understanding that will enrich your Shabbat service experience from now on!

Speakers

David Schwartz

Education Director, Temple Har Zion

David Schwartz is the Education Director at Har Zion in Chicago. When he’s not doing that he is a B’nai Mitzvah tutor and Jewish storyteller. David is also on the Board of the JEA and an MTEI graduate. However, his most important role is husband to Miriam and Abba to 10-year-old... Read More →

Neil Schwartz

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Maria Hall Yoga Room

Spirituality/Tefilah, Torah Lishma

Company Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Igniting Tefilah Leadership

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

College Hall Rm 340

Leading supplementary school Tefilah can be intimidating, especially if you're unsure about your singing voice or you don't have training as a prayer leader. Come learn strategies to make prayer come alive for your students, including infusing movement and hand motions, and dream about what Tefilah could be in your setting. You'll leave this workshop inspired to lead Tefilah with newfound confidence and joy!

Speakers

Shelley Stein

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 →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

3:00pm EDT

Beyond the Workshop - Walking Tefilah

Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Meet Outside Student Union

Stretch your legs while exploring ways to bring Jewish learning into the outdoors. This walk will include parts of a "Walking Shacharit" that I do with my middle school students several times each year.

Speakers

Cathy Kaplan

Director of Religious School & Family Programs, Beth Meyer Synagogue

Cathy Kaplan is the Director of the Religious School & Family Programs at Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh NC. After a decade in a different career path, she entered Jewish communal service in 2009. She has served as lay leader, religious school teacher, b-mitzvah tutor, school administrator... Read More →

Walking Tefilah NewCAJE17 docx

Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Meet Outside Student Union

Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Type Main

4:45pm EDT

How the Right Siddur Can Open Doors

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT

Maria Hall Yoga Room

Can a siddur crafted with your students in mind help transform your Tefilah culture? We will explore the new Yedid Nefesh siddur series and talk about how it can help kids connect to prayer in new ways.

Speakers

Joshua Cahan

02 Siddur Kabb Shab pdf

Torah rdgs for siddur pdf

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Maria Hall Yoga Room

Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience Middle School, High School, Teachers
Type Main

9:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

3:00pm EDT

4:45pm EDT

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