NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

2:00pm EDT

Tot Shabbat' Is Not 'Just' for Tots: Intergenerational Design That Brings Families Back

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

How do we design musical Shabbat services that engage multiple ages and stages and bring families back? For folks who lead these experiences for children 0-10 and their families, this workshop combines research and 25 years of practice to explore the multiple audiences in the room, why music works, and what design principles should inform your approach, based on desired impact. The session will close with modeling, music, and movement.

Speakers

Emily Aronoff

Dr Emily Celebrates

Dr. Emily Aronoff cultivates connection through songleading that sparks joy, makes meaning, & secures a Jewish future. With 25 years of practice, she leads music & movement with kiddos & their families, offers professional development, consulting, & curriculum to Jewish institutions... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Early Childhood Education, Big Picture of Jewish Education

Company Early Childhood Education
Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary
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

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 1 (Rosh Hashanah to Chanukah)

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Come sing the songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the first half of the year, Rosh Hashanah – Chanukah, as well as Shabbat. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s workshops before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Lisa Baydush is an engaging early childhood music specialist who delights in transmitting the values, stories and traditions of Judaism through the medium of Jewish music. A dynamic teacher and Tot Shabbat service leader at two congregations in Maryland, Lisa is also a prolific... Read More →

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom song list pdf

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, 2026, NewCAJE pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Music, Early Childhood Education

Company Early Childhood Education
Audience Early Childhood
Track ECE
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Cultivating Connection: Why Spiritual Development Matters at Every Age

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

College Hall Rm 202

Jewish tradition has been cultivating spiritual development for thousands of years, and Dr. Lisa Miller's research now demonstrates it is one of the most powerful protective factors for lifelong well-being. This workshop defines spirituality, examines the research, walks through the developmental stages, and equips educators with practical tools to nurture spiritual growth at every age. Participants will leave with language, a framework, clarity, and practices they can use right away.

Speakers

Emily Aronoff

Dr Emily Celebrates

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Spirituality/Tefilah

Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers, Not Age-Specific
Type Main, Virtual

9:00am EDT

Purposeful Play in Every Setting

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

College Hall Rm 340

There is a difference between play as simply unstructured fun rather than a powerful tool for learning and connection. In this interactive session, participants will explore concepts of play including flow theory and the Reggio Emilia philosophy of the “100 Languages of Children,” and consider how these ideas can shape meaningful learning experiences in a variety of settings. Together, we will examine how purposeful play can support Judaic learning, strengthen social-emotional skills, spark creativity and curiosity, and foster a deeper sense of belonging and community. Participants will leave with practical strategies and inspiration for integrating playful, relationship-centered learning into their own work.

Speakers

Sasha Hass

Sasha Kopp Hass is the Senior Director of Education and Engagement at ElevatEd, where she helps strengthen and support the field of early childhood Jewish education across North America. She is a passionate Jewish educator, artist. Through all of her work, Sasha seeks to foster joyful... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Early Childhood Education, Family Education

Company Early Childhood Education
Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Teachers
Track ECE
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, part 2 (Tu B'shvat to Yom HaAtzmaut)

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

College Hall Rm 202

Come sing the songs that ROCK with preschoolers! Early childhood music specialist, Lisa Baydush, will share the songs that delight and engage her students throughout the year. Learn how to make these songs POP! and get dozens of ideas to energize your music program. In addition to teaching repertoire, Lisa will discuss how to plan a set list that achieves your goals. This session will focus on holidays in the second half of the year, Tu B’shvat – Shavuot. (Just to let you know in case you’ve taken Lisa’s workshops before, this workshop will have NEW repertoire!)

Speakers

Lisa Baydush

Early Childhood Music Specialist, Temple Beth Ami (Rockville, MD), Congregation B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, MD)

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom song list pdf

Music That Rocks the Preschool Classroom, 2026, NewCAJE pdf

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Music, Early Childhood Education

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Early Childhood Education
Audience Early Childhood
Track ECE
Type Main, Virtual

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

4:45pm EDT

Cooking and Art Fun for Pre-Kinder Kids

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

College Hall Rm 322

I've taught Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students at Torah school and have filled an entire suitcase with simple art and cooking projects perfect for our 4 and 5 year olds. Come prepared to create amazing things from simple materials and ingredients. Handouts will include ideas that span an entire year's curriculum of fun!

Speakers

Marcia Berneger

Torah School Teacher, Temple EmanuEl

Marcia Berneger teaches Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Temple Emanuel in San Diego. She has developed many projects and programs to help these young students enjoy learning about the Jewish holidays and traditions. She brings a full "bag of tricks" to share with preschool and TK... Read More →

Jewish Projects For Little Hands docx

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 322

Early Childhood Education, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Early Childhood Education
Audience Early Childhood
Track ECE
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

Experience the Fun and Power of Hebrew Through Movement

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

College Hall Rm 348

Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) is a powerful curriculum that can be used for both younger and older children. Besides providing connection to the Hebrew language, it can reinforce holiday lessons, prayer learning, and print literacy. Best of all, every student can be successful! If you currently teach HTM, this session will provide ideas to bring your teaching up a notch. If you are curious about the program, this session will answer your questions.

Speakers

Linda Duke

Teacher, Congregation B'nai Shalom

Linda Duke is a teacher/Hebrew Coordinator at Congregation B'nai Shalom (Westborough, MA) and a Master Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) teacher. She co-facilitates HTM Communities of Practice and was a member of the 2023-2024 Onward Hebrew Think Tank. She received a Grinspoon Award... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Hebrew/Yiddish, Teaching Tools & Techniques

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

4:45pm EDT

Why Singing Together Works: The Neuroscience of Music, Breath, and Bonding

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

College Hall Rm 340

Music is one of the most powerful pathways we have for Jewish engagement and education. For songleaders, music specialists, and educators who use music with kiddos and their grown-ups, this workshop teaches brain-based principles that turn song into strategy: preventative care, engagement enhancement, and chaos control. We explore how singing syncs breath, builds bonding, anchors memory, and supports mood modulation and meaning-making. Songs are modeled throughout to demonstrate each principle in practice.

Speakers

Emily Aronoff

Dr Emily Celebrates

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Music, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Music
Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Not Age-Specific
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

Built to Last: Jewish Practice and Lifelong Resilience

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

College Hall Rm 239

On hard days, our sense of mission can feel elusive. This session offers something grounding: evidence from neuroscience and epidemiology research that building ritual literacy, fostering belonging, and transmitting meaning can be directly linked to children's long-term ability to manage anxiety and depression, resist addiction, and recover from trauma. Your work as a Jewish educator is, quite literally, protective! We'll discuss empowering practical strategies for classroom choices and for parent communication aligned with these important findings.

Speakers

Julie Hirschfeld

Dr.Julie Hirschfeld (MA, Oxon., PhD, NYU) is a clinical psychologist and founder of The Jewish Resilience Initiative, which promotes awareness of the mental health benefits of Jewish practice. Trained in family therapy, spiritually integrated psychotherapy, and Mussar facilitation... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Teaching Tools and Techniques, Big Picture of Jewish Education

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Big Picture of Jewish Education
Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals, Not Age-Specific
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

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