NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

11:30am EDT

ShalomLearning Jewish Values Curriculum Training

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

This 90-minute hands-on workshop is designed exclusively for current ShalomLearning partner educators using our Jewish Values curriculum. Join our curriculum specialists for a deep-dive into the platform learning to navigate lessons, manage your classroom, track student progress, and make the most of our rich K–7 content. Whether you're new to the platform or looking to go deeper, this training is built for you. Curriculum Highlights Teaching Jewish Values for a Meaningful Life — A pluralistic Kindergarten through 7th grade curriculum that engages students with the Jewish values we all share like "using inner strength to do what's right." Curated by experts in Jewish education, the curriculum features videos, games, text studies, blessings, and stories that connect Jewish values to students' daily lives.

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Jewish Life & Identity

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques, Jewish Life & Identity
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers
Track Shalom Learning Partners
Type Shabbat

2:00pm EDT

Teaching Israel in a Post-Oct. 7 Reality

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

College Hall Rm 202

Teaching about Israel, Zionism, antizionism, and how these ideas can intersect with Jew-hatred is a prerequisite skill for Jewish educators in the 21st century. In this session we will explore how to teach learners in order to engage deeply with the subjects, create shared understanding, build historical knowledge, encourage real curiosity, and build Jews who see themselves as part of the story.

Speakers

Rachel Fish

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Israel, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Adult Students, High School, Lower Elementary School, Middle School, Teachers, Upper Elementary
Track Israel
Type Virtual, Main

2:00pm EDT

Walking Together: Helping Teens Support Others through Uncertain Times

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Judaism recognizes that life includes moments of illness, grief, and loss. Rather than avoiding these moments, Jewish tradition offers guidance for how we care for one another when life is most difficult. This session explores how we, as educators, can guide tweens and teens to support those who are suffering and show up with compassion, presence, and courage. Take-home tools: Jewish texts, conversation starters, and experiential activities to effectively engage with teens in your educational setting.

Speakers

Nina Woldin

Adult Educator, Artist, Consultant, Exhibitor, Non-Profit Staff/CEO, curriculum writer, Chai Mitzvah

Nina Woldin, Managing Director of Chai Mitzvah, has worked in Jewish education for decades, creating student materials and programs for all ages, pre-K – adult. Her work has been published by Behrman House, Ktav, Kar Ben Publishing, Addison Wesley and Grolier. She created one of... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Teens/Youth Engagement, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

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

Sunday July 26, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT

College Hall Rm 323

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 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 323

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Big Picture of Jewish Education

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques, Big Picture of Jewish Education
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Middle School
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

Rhythm & Voice: Engaging Students through Spoken Word

Sunday July 26, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT

College Hall Rm 202

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 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Teens/Youth Engagement, Teaching Tools & Techniques

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

9:00am EDT

Building Muscles for Challenging Conversations: Israel and Zionism

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 340

Struggling to talk with your students about Israel, Palestine, and Zionism? During this session we will explore how to approach this in a dual-narrative context. You can expect a collaborative session on utilizing primary sources and varied learning modalities to create a supportive environment promoting individualized understanding and safe discourse. I will share student projects from this school year to show how each student emerged after this unit with a personalized and rigorous understanding of their relationship, in this moment, to Israel and Zionism.

Speakers

Samara Weinberg

Sami Weinberg is a Resident at Makom Community in Philadelphia, as well as the Anafim and Teen educator. She has worked with just about every age and grade from 2 years old to teens. Sami grew up all over the East Coast United States. She loves anything to do with yarn, clay, or... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 340

Israel, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Middle School, High School, Adult Students
Track Israel
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Beyond the Workshop - Shalom Learning AI Sandbox

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 239

ShalomLearning invites NewCAJE attendees to an open sandbox, a drop-in space where teachers, administrators, and school leaders can explore and experiment with AI tools being used right now in Jewish education. This is not a lecture. There are no slides. Come for 15 minutes or stay for an hour. We will showcase the AI integrations we have built directly into our own curriculum, and share the broader practices and tools that any congregational school can adopt.

Speakers

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected], ShalomLearning

Shira Sender

Director of Client Care and Teacher Support, ShalomLearning

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Technology, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Not Age-Specific
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Adding Elders to the Classroom: Enhancing Jewish Learning with Intergenerational Connections.

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

College Hall Rm 348

DOROT has been connecting generations for nearly 50 years for meaningful learning and Jewish engagement. Students of all ages can grow and deepen their relationship to Jewish traditions and text through ongoing relationships with older adults (65+). Learn practical ways to incorporate intergenerational learning into your Pedagogy. In this session we will experience and discuss tools to inspire identity formation and joyous Jewish learning through intergenerational connections.

Speakers

Shai Rosenfeld

Director - Intergenerational Program Enagagement, DOROT

Shai is the Director of Intergenerational Program Engagement for DOROT, a non-profit social services agency in New York City with a mission to bring generations together for mutually beneficial learning and connection. He and his team create spaces of play and possibility for youth... Read More →

Texts pdf

DOROT – Intergenerational Practices, NewCAJE17 2026 pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Teens/Youth Engagement, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Middle School, High School, Adult Students, Teachers
Type Main

11:00am EDT

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

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

College Hall Rm 239

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

Shira Sender

Director of Client Care and Teacher Support, ShalomLearning

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected], ShalomLearning

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Big Picture of Jewish Education, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Lower Elementary School, Teachers, Upper Elementary
Type Main

3:00pm EDT

Beyond the Workshop - Shalom Learning AI Sandbox

Monday July 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

College Hall Rm 239

Speakers

Shira Sender

Director of Client Care and Teacher Support, ShalomLearning

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected], ShalomLearning

Monday July 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Technology, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Not Age-Specific
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

Beyond the Binary: Gender Identity and Inclusion in the Jewish Classroom

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT

College Hall Rm 347

A primer on gender identity, pronouns, and how to use them appropriately in classrooms of all ages. In this workshop, we'll dive into the Jewish values of inclusion, and B'tzelem Elohim - and why it truly matters.

Speakers

Gail Terman

Gail Terman (she/they) teaches 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, and 10th graders at Congregation B'nai Shalom in Westborough, MA. They are also a software engineer, volunteer convention runner, singer, and big Red Sox fan. They're passionate about Judaism, diversity, inclusion, using technology... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 347

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Teens/Youth Engagement

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Not Age-Specific
Type Main

9:00am EDT

High Holidays and Tikkun HaYam: Repair the Sea from Your Backyard

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

College Hall Rm 322

Is it Jewish to save the turtles? Microplastics and other pollutants are an increasing problem in our waterways and your students are likely very aware of the plight of sea turtles in the ocean. How can you use Jewish values to help students and families take action in your own community? Repair the Sea has a great program linked to Jewish holidays that you can use no matter where you are located!

Speakers

Tanya Wisoker

Adult Educator, Storyteller

Tanya Wisoker is a Jewish educator, playwright, and storyteller.
Tanya is a Board Member, Instructor, and Facilitator for Teach the Shoah, bringing the testimonies of those who experienced the Holocaust, their descendants, and anyone committed to the task of bearing witness to li... Read More →

Tanya Wisoker NewCAJE 2026 High Holidays and Tikkun HaYam pdf

Tanya Wisoker NewCAJE 2026 Setting up Your Event for Tikkun HaYam docx

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 322

Holidays, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Not Age-Specific
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Vayikra for Vegetarians: Teaching Objectionable Texts

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

Maria Hall Yoga Room

Both young and adult students raise objections, sometimes stringently, to many texts from the Tanakh. We do no one any favors by avoiding all such texts, but how do we respond to valid ethical objections and teach the texts successfully? We'll explore issues ranging from animal sacrifice to women's rights and genocide and work together to develop a consistent framework for teaching them.

Speakers

Paul Solyn

Adult Educator

Paul Solyn is an adult educator in Elmira, NY. He received an M.J.Ed. degree and family educator certificate from Hebrew College, Boston, and a graduate certificate in eco-spirituality from Hartford International University.

Vayikra for Vegetarians pdf

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Maria Hall Yoga Room

Text/Bible/Theology, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Upper Elementary, Middle School, Adult Students
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Hebrew Games to Promote Learning and Fun!

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

College Hall Rm 322

For games and instructions CLICK HERE!

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

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 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 322

Hebrew/Yiddish, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Lower Elementary School, Upper Elementary, Teachers
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

11:00am EDT

Magic the Gathering for Your Classroom

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

College Hall Rm 239

Are you looking for a way to connect your students more deeply with your content? Do your students struggle with engagement? Magic the Gathering may be the way! This popular longstanding trading card game offers many opportunities to engage students in Jewish learning of all types. Show up to learn more about this useful (and fun) format!

Speakers

Nora Gorenstein

Educator, Jewish Community of Amherst

Nora Gorenstein is an experienced Jewish educator with a broad range of experience in classroom teaching, fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and program design. She is passionate about ensuring that every individual and family is supported on their journeys and has access to opportunities... Read More →

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Passover the Gathering 20260724 103725 0000 pdf

Mtg sample lessons docx

Passover%20Villains%20Variant%20Rules pdf

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Teaching Tools & Techniques, Teens/Youth Engagement

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Middle School
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

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

The Jewish Future: Investing in Teen Leadership Development

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

College Hall Rm 202

This workshop is a crash course for educators, youth leaders, and program coordinators ready to take their teen programming to the next level. Participants will explore the question of how to get more teens invested in leadership and discover various structures for youth group boards and how teens can build overall ownership in their programming. By the end of this workshop, participants will walk away with a toolkit to strengthen the teen leadership within their communities.

Speakers

Brandon Gabay

Youth and Teen Engagement Manager, Temple Sinai Atlanta

Brandon (he/him) serves as one of the Youth and Teen Engagement Managers at Temple Sinai in Atlanta, Georgia. Brandon is an alumnus of Florida State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications in 2022. Brandon is a lover of all things books, baking, and... Read More →

The Jewish Future Slides pdf

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Teens/Youth Engagement, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques
Audience Middle School, High School
Type Main, Virtual

4:45pm EDT

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

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

College Hall Graduate Lounge

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

Ruz Gulko

Rabbi/Cantor/Educator, Gan Argaman

Ruz Gulko accidentally became a Hebrew teacher in 1986, and then a lay cantor / rabbi, thus proving that no matter how you plan your life, God always has some other interesting ideas. She has worked with most of the Jewish educational and religious institutions in the greater Seattle... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Graduate Lounge

Text/Bible/Theology, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Teaching Tools & Techniques, Text/Bible/Theology
Audience 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

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

Heidi Lovitz

[email protected], ShalomLearning

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

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