NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

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7:30am EDT

Morning Minyan

Wednesday July 29, 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.

Neil Schwartz

Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Type Main

7:45am EDT

Breakfast

Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:45am - 9:00am EDT

Student Union Dining Hall

Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:45am - 9:00am EDT
Student Union Dining Hall

Type Main, Meal

9:00am EDT

LEEP Closing

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Angela Hall Social Space

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Angela Hall Social Space

Type LEEP

9:00am EDT

YIMBY: Yes, In My Back Yard! Using Your Community's Spaces for Jewish Learning

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

The majority of our students lives take place outside our Jewish classrooms and Jewish spaces. Jewish learning "on the road" in your own community can increase the impact of what students learn in applicable and relatable ways. Can you teach kashrut at the grocery store? The value of Tzedakah at an art museum or gallery? Find Jewish history in your own back yard? YES, you can. Learn how you can use the spaces around your neighborhood to develop interactive learning that spark your students' interest and excitement.

Speakers

Ramona Brand

Director of Youth Learning, Temple Beth El

Ramona Brand M.Ed, is the Director of Youth Learning at Temple Beth-El in Richmond, Virginia. She has been a director of Congregational Supplemental schools for twenty-five years and is excited to be able to share her passion for Jewish education with other educators. She will be... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Jewish Life & Identity
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Make a HUGE, Interactive Tot-Shabbat Siddur!

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 340

Come and get some new ideas for YOUR Tot-Shabbat Siddur, with manipulatives, 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! (And bring home some fun dino stickers, too!)

Speakers

Shelli Aderman

@T&V: Youth Educator (Family Service Leader, and Hebrew School Teacher) @Clal: Office and Events Manager, 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 administrator for over thirty years. In addition to her work at Clal, Shelli continues to be an active lay leader and educator at Town and Village Synagogue, and she resides with... Read More →

2 per page Shabbat b'Yahad for NewCAJE 2026 pdf

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Early Childhood Education, Teaching Tools & Techniques

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

9:00am EDT

Cinema as a Teaching Tool in Holocaust Education

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 319

Today there is a plethora of Holocaust themed films, many are Academy Award winners. Many also have been adapted from books.This session will look at how to incorporate the use of movie trailers to supplement curriculum on various themes- eg. Kindertransport, Righteous Among the Nations, Resistance, etc. A primary source for the session is Richard Brownstein's Holocaust Cinema Complete: A History and Analysis of 400 Films. Participants will leave the session with resources for their classroom.

Speakers

Marcia Wollner

regional director, March of. the Living, Western Region

Marcia Tatz Wollner is the Western Region Director of the March of the Living. Living in San Diego, she teaches Holocaust education in many congregational schools. She is the former school services director of the Agency for Jewish Education. She holds a masters in Jewish Studies... Read More →

NewCAJE Holocaust Cinema pdf

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 319

History, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Jewish Life & Identity, History
Audience Middle School, High School
Track Holocaust
Type Main

9:00am EDT

The Joy of Jewish Music

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 236

Music enhances the Jewish experience for students and their families, and singing together is an important way to achieve community. Learn a variety of songs from the repertoire of a seasoned song leader/music teacher that can be used for all grades and all ages.

Speakers

Marilyn Cohen

I have taught Jewish music for 47 years. I am not retired, however, I started to teach music to the local JCC for the preschool classes. I taught music in synagogue, based Hebrew schools and in Hebrew day schools. I reduced plays, written scripts, put together programs for multiple... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 236

Music, Family Education

Company music
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, Teachers
Type Main

9:00am EDT

When an IEP Arrives: Supporting Inclusion in Jewish Educational Settings

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 202

What should an educator do when a family shares an IEP? This workshop helps administrators and educators understand how to respond thoughtfully, support students with diverse learning needs, communicate effectively with families, and create meaningful accommodations in Jewish education settings. Participants will explore practical strategies, confidentiality considerations, and inclusive practices grounded in Jewish values of dignity, belonging, and accessible learning for every child.

Speakers

Nancy Wilkenfeld

Nancy Wilkenfeld is an attorney specializing in special education law and a dedicated Jewish educator with more than 30 years of experience. She currently teaches fifth, sixth, and seventh grade at Temple Beth Am, where she is committed to fostering inclusion in the classroom. She... Read More →

JEAP.docx pdf

iep form (3) docx

Sample Issue pdf

mentimeter qr code png

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Special Needs/Inclusion, Classroom Management

Company Administration
Audience Not Age-Specific
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main, Virtual

9:00am EDT

Ayin Tovah - A Good Eye - Focusing on the Good: Cultivating a Positive Outlook through Creative Movement and Expressive Arts

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Maria Hall Multipurpose 2

How can we develop Ayin Tovah, a positive, healing outlook? Through creative movement! We will “move” and “be moved by” its Hebrew letters, עין טובה, explore their kabbalistic meaning, and further our understanding via drawing/journaling. Learn my holistic approach to teaching Hebrew letters, whose gestural, spatial designs connect us to Jewish spirituality. For both children and adults!

Speakers

Davida Adelberg

Teaches Jewish Studies and Beginning Hebrew, Congregation Sinai

Davida Adelberg teaches Jewish Studies and Beginning Hebrew at Congregation Sinai in San Jose, CA. She enjoys creative movement and Jewish spiritual connection, uniting both in "moving" the Hebrew letters with the gestural Alef-Bet, created by Stan Tenen, z"l. Davida is blessed... Read More →

Ayin Tovah Workshop Handouts (1) pdf

Ot HaShavua Posters pdf

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose 2

Spirituality/Tefilah, Hebrew/Yiddish

Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Adult Students, Teachers, Not Age-Specific
Type Main

9:00am EDT

ShalomLearning JLearnHub Hebrew Training

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

This 90-minute hands-on workshop is designed exclusively for current ShalomLearning partner educators using JLearnHub Hebrew. Our specialists will guide you through the complete platform experience — from classroom setup to lesson navigation — so you and your students can get the most out of this comprehensive Hebrew reading and prayer program. JLearnHub Hebrew uses proven mnemonic techniques to build lasting letter and vowel recognition, while its prayer curriculum introduces students to modern Hebrew vocabulary through a translation-based approach. This training ensures you are equipped to teach every element of the program with confidence. Curriculum Highlights JLearnHub Hebrew — Mnemonic techniques give students memorable pathways to Hebrew letter and vowel mastery. Students work through 17 prayers using a translation-based approach that builds modern Hebrew vocabulary. Printable packets reinforce letter and vowel recognition beyond the digital platform.

Shalom Learning asks all partners planning to attend this session to please complete this pre-registration form.

Speakers

Shira Sender

Director of Client Care and Teacher Support, ShalomLearning

Shira Sender is the Director of Client Care and Teacher Support with ShalomLearning, where she collaborates with, supports, and trains educators and educational leaders to ensure Jewish education is accessible and engaging for today's learners. With over 20 years of experience in... Read More →

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected], ShalomLearning

Heidi Lovitz is the Senior Managing Director of ShalomLearning, where she leads curriculum development, program delivery, and strategic operations to bring innovative Jewish education to students and families in diverse communities. With 20+ years of experience, she holds a Master's... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Hebrew/Yiddish

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Lower Elementary School, Teachers, Upper Elementary
Track Shalom Learning Partners
Type Main

10:45am EDT

NewCAJE Closing: Looking to the Future

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

Let’s take all the great learning we’ve done and connections we’ve made this week and dream towards the future: for ourselves, for our field, and for our whole world.

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 →

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 →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Type Main

12:30pm EDT

Airport Shuttle Departure

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT

Student Union Foyer

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT
Student Union Foyer

7:30am EDT

7:45am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

10:45am EDT

12:30pm EDT

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