NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

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7:30am EDT

Morning Minyan

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am EDT

Student Union The StAJE

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 →

Cantor Neil Schwartz

Director of Education, Temple Har Zion; River Forest, IL

Cantor Neil Schwartz is a long-time CAJE and NewCAJE veteran, and he is retired from a long career as clergy in seven pulpits and as a chaplain. He enjoys to opportunity to co-teach with his son David each year.

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Type Main

11:00am EDT

NewCAJE Chorale

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

Student Union The StAJE

Come be a part of the NewCAJE chorale and practice for a grand performance at evening programs on Tuesday night! All are welcome, musicians and non-musicians alike.

Resources for chorale can be found at:
tinyurl.com/NewCAJEChorale

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

Type Main

12:30pm EDT

Dine and Dialogue about Anti-semitism (Lunch Activity)

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

If you are new to the conference or if you just don't like the noise in the dining hall, please consider coming to this pre-sign-up lunch. This is a chance to meet people and to talk about this important and confusing topic.

NewCAJE is a pluralistic organization where we come to discussions with curiosity about how other people think about things and never to defend our own position except to explain why you feel the way we do.

Why has antisemitism returned with such a fury.? What does it do to your sense of security? What would have to happen for you to consider leaving the country? What can we do to combat this now? And any other questions you'd like to raise on the topic?

We believe that people are not having enough chances to talk about Israel today and would welcome the chance to do so. Get your lunch and come into the STAGE which is right next to the dining hall.

There are limited seats so if you'd like to reserve a space click here to sign up. It is a free option in the conference extras pag

Speakers

Cherie Koller-Fox

NewCAJE

Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox is well known in the Boston area and beyond. She was ordained by the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York which is a pluralistic Jewish seminary. She has served as rabbi at Congregation Eitz Chayim in Cambridge, Temple Emanuel of Marlborough, Newton-Wellesley... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Jewish Life & Identity

Type Main, Meal

1:45pm EDT

Our Present and Our Future: Jewish Education in an Era of Change

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

North American Jewish education is navigating profound changes—from shifting family expectations and new educational models to the rise of AI and an increasingly polarized political landscape. Following a brief introduction that challenges us to distinguish meaningful change from innovation for its own sake, a panel of leading practitioners will explore some of the most pressing questions facing the field today: What is Jewish education for? Which long-standing assumptions still deserve our confidence, and which need to be reimagined? Together, we'll consider what Jewish education needs to become in order to meet the realities of the next generation.

Speakers

Beverly Socher-Lerner

Executive Director & Founder, Makom Community

Daniel Brenner

Chief of Education and Program, Moving Traditions

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

Jonathan Krasner

Mandel Associate Professor of Jewish Education Research, Brandeis University

Jonathan Krasner's 2020 book, Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps (Rutgers University Press), co-authored with Sarah Bunin Benor and Sharon Avni, was the recipient of the 2020 National Jewish Book Award in Education and Jewish Identity. His 20... Read More →

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 →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Type Main

7:00pm EDT

NewCAJE Chorale

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:30pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

Meet at the STAJE for our final dress rehearsal before our performance!

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

7:45pm EDT

Evening Programming

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:45pm - 9:15pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

Kick off the program with special never before seen footage of our beloved Debbie Friedman!

Next, enjoy a brief performance from your very own NewCAJE Chorale.

Then, settle in for an hour of music by a never-before-assembled ensemble of some of the most beloved musicians in contemporary Jewish music:

Ariel Wyner, Jacob "Spike" Kraus, Eliana Light, Carla Friend and Rick Lawrence.

This evening is not to be missed!

Speakers

Jacob Spike Kraus

Boston based Jacob ‘Spike’ Kraus is a 34 year old singer-songwriter, producer,
and educator. His music has been included in the cantorial curriculum of H.U.C. -
J.I.R., and is featured on Jewish Rock Radio and PJ Library. His music is inspired
by prominent pop, rock, and folk ar... Read More →

Cantor Rick Lawrence

Education director, United Jewish School/Temple Emanuel

I'm a huge nerd in so many categories:Judaism (shocking)Music (also shocking)Jewish Music (cantillation, nusach, Infected Mushroom...)Games!Board gamesCard gamesVideo games (I have my Steam Deck with me)Tabletop Role Playing GamesTechnology/Computer stuffs (I have a little server... Read More →

Ariel Wyner

Eliana Light

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

Carla Friend

Founder & Executive Director, Tkiya

Carla Friend is the Founder & Executive Director of Tkiya, an organization with the mission of creating joyful Jewish connection through participatory music experiences. Through Tkiya, Carla reaches 15,000 people per year with her unique methodology of Jewish education and engagement... Read More →

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:45pm - 9:15pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Type Main

7:30am EDT

11:00am EDT

12:30pm EDT

1:45pm EDT

7:00pm EDT

7:45pm EDT

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