NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

TBA

Welcome to ShalomLearning: Engaging Jewish Education for Your School or Community

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

Are you looking for high-quality, engaging Jewish education resources for your school or community? Join ShalomLearning for a dynamic introduction to our comprehensive suite of curricula and discover how we partner with synagogues and community organizations worldwide to bring Jewish learning to life. This session is designed for educational and congregational leaders and teachers who are curious about ShalomLearning but haven't yet experienced what we offer. Our facilitators will walk you through our signature Jewish Values, Jewish Pride and Unity, and Hebrew curricula with live demonstrations of each, share what the teacher and student experiences look like, and give you a clear picture of how the ShalomLearning partnership model works. We will also explore our online options, homeschool models, and our newest plans for grandparents as family educators. The session closes with open Q&A and oneon-one time with our team.

Speakers

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected]

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers

TBA

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

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Jewish Life & Identity

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

TBA

Make a HUGE, interactive Tot-Shabbat Siddur!

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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

@Clal: Office and Events Manager; @T&V: Youth Educator (I lead all youth and family services, and teach in the Hebrew Sc, 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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Early Childhood Education, Teaching Tools & Techniques

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

TBA

Experience the Fun and Power of Hebrew Through Movement

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Hebrew/Yiddish, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Audience Early Childhood, Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers, Principals

TBA

Hebrew Games to Promote Learning and Fun!

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

Add engagement, enthusiasm, and energy to your Hebrew decoding and prayer lessons through games! This session will demonstrate many different games that will add excitement to your Hebrew classes (both in-person and virtual) while reinforcing decoding and prayer learning. Leave with ready-to-use games as well as ideas to create your own.

Speakers

Linda Duke

Teacher, Congregation B'nai Shalom

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Hebrew/Yiddish, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers

TBA

Telling Their Story

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

I will share strategies learning at the 2022 Yad Vashem Supplemental School Seminar to support educators in developing educationally and emotionally accessible lessons to elementary and middle school students. Learn methods to create content for Holocaust education which can be used in a variety of settings. We are obliged to tell stories of survivors and victims factually, using first person narrative when possible. Four different family Holocaust stories will be shared using a variety of methods, including artifacts and testimony.

Speakers

Ramona Brand

Director of Youth Learning, Temple Beth El

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

History, Storytelling

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Storytelling
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School

TBA

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

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Spirituality/Tefilah, Hebrew/Yiddish

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

TBA

Comparing Shabbat Service Sections

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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

Neil Schwartz

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Spirituality/Tefilah, Torah Lishma

Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals

TBA

How to Create Learning That's Deep AND Fun for Kids - and Yourself!

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

In this session we’ll explore a text in a multimodal way, hear case studies on how applying these practices has increased learner curiosity and engagement, and unpack theories of what makes multimodal learning powerful. Attendees will leave with strategies on how to apply these practices in their schools and classrooms.

Speakers

Miriam Roochvarg

Miriam Roochvarg is a Jewish Placemaking Resident at Makom Community. Miriam earned her Masters in Education with a concentration in Jewish Instructional Education from Gratz College. Before becoming a Resident, Miriam served as Director of Jewish Learning and Programming for a shul... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Big Picture of Jewish Education

Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School

TBA

Built to Last: Jewish Practice and Lifelong Resilience

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

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

TBA

Level Up Your Classroom: The Power of Team-Building Games

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

Unlock the potential of play to transform your learning environment. This session explores how teambuilding games serve as more than just "icebreakers"—they are essential tools for building a strong, inclusive community where every student feels they belong. Beyond social connection, you’ll learn how to seamlessly integrate these activities into your existing curriculum to increase student engagement. Discover creative strategies to use games to reinforce core lesson content and turn learning into an interactive, high-energy experience. Wear comfortable clothes as we will learn and build kehillah by participating in these games.

Speakers

Jill Eisen

Jill Eisen is the Director of Program Partnerships at Pearlstone, the Headquarters of Adamah. She has her BA from Penn State and two Masters from Baltimore Hebrew University. Working at Pearlstone entwines the environment and Jewish values she holds dear. Each day holds a new adventure... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Teaching Tools and Techniques, Classroom Management

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Classroom Management
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals, Not Age-Specific

TBA

Rhythm & Voice: Engaging Students through Spoken Word

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

Interactive spoken-word tools can empower classroom engagement. Discover how spoken-word activities—like call-and-response ‘Daily Blessings,’ guided ‘David & Goliath’ rap-battles, and group ring shouts—can energize your classroom. These easy-to-lead exercises foster student participation, focus, and joy, even without musical expertise.

Speakers

Rachel Haymer

Co-director of rappers and rabbis, Rachel Haymer is a Honolulu native now in NYC for over a decade. With an extensive Jewish and secular résumé, she brings her experience as.Tkiya music, leader, cantorial, soloist, Jewish educator, and the new creative program director of the women’s... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA
TBA

Teens/Youth Engagement, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers

TBA

Waterworld or Desertville: Why Does Torah Tell Us Two Different Creation Stories?

Sunday July 26, 2026 TBA

TBA

Quickly: when and how were humans created, according to the Book of Genesis, Breisheet?
Did you know that there are two COMPLETEY different accounts of Creation: chapter one and chapter two?
Water-world and desert-scape. Humans last, then a human first.
What? WHY?! Which one is the “real” one??
Interested? Hope so – this is a tremendously valuable key to understanding basic Jewish theology regarding the connections between humans and the planet, human and humans, and humans and their Creator.
Bonus question: Where was Adam while Havah had the exchange with the serpent & ate the “fruit”? Learn about a certain cover-up conspiracy…

Speakers