NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

2:00pm EDT

Opening the Door: Engaging All Educators in Jewish Life

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

This workshop offers practical strategies for creating an inclusive, supportive environment where nonJewish educators can confidently participate in and teach Jewish traditions and values. Participants will explore cultural context, hands-on approaches, and communication techniques that honor diversity and spirituality while fostering understanding and collaboration in the classroom.

Speakers

Elyssa Brinn

Director of the Early Years Program, Strelitz International Academy

Elyssa Brinn is the Director of Early Years at Strelitz International Academy. She has been in this role for 10 years, and a dynamic Jewish educator in the field for over 25 years. Elyssa's experience and expertise spans Infancy through Kindergarten, with extensive experience in each... Read More →

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

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Administration

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Administration
Audience Teachers, Principals
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

How We Talk Matters: Communication Skills for Educators

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Every educator faces moments when conversations feel challenging. In this interactive workshop, grounded in the MTEI principle How We Talk Matters, we’ll build practical skills for listening with empathy, speaking with clarity, and responding thoughtfully in the moment. Through real-life scenarios and guided practice, participants will explore how to turn everyday interactions into opportunities for connection, trust, and meaningful learning.

Speakers

Seymour Kopelowitz

Program Director, MTEI

Seymour Kopelowitz is the program director of MTEI at the Mandel Foundation. He has served as a day school principal, Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, and Executive Director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland. Seymour has a Ph.D. in educational leadership... Read More →

Deborah Niederman, RJE

Leader of Recruitment, Mandel Teacher Educator Institute

Deborah Niederman, RJE is the Leader of Recruitment for the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) and Director of Education at Temple Shalom in Dallas, TX. With over 30 years in Jewish education, she is passionate about mentoring leaders, fostering innovation, and integrating learning... Read More →

Sunday July 26, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Classroom Management, Administration

Audience Adult Students, Teachers, Principals
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Advancing in the Field of Jewish Education

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Who is a Jewish Educator? What do Jewish Educators do? What is the training needed to be a Jewish Educator? are questions that in 2026 have new answers, new relevance and new context. In this session, we will explore the mindsets and skillsets most used by Jewish educators, reflect on some recent career trends, and share more about who you are and where you might want to go. Stacy Rigler, CEO of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators, will use her experience and expertise to help you answer the big questions you have in the field as well as identify the more individual information you want to know to help you on your journey.

Speakers

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Rabbi Stacy Rigler, RJE is CEO of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. She served as a Rabbi Educator at Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA, then worked at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Stacy volunteers with RAC-PA Onward Hebrew and Camp Harlam. She received her MAJE and... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Big Picture of Jewish Education, Administration

Company Administration, Big Picture of Jewish Education
Audience Principals, Not Age-Specific
Track Adminstrative track
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

3:00pm EDT

Beyond the Workshop - Conference Partner Spotlight

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

College Hall Rm 202

We hope you will visit the conference partner tables in the cafeteria. But a chat that lasts a few minutes tableside isn't always enough to learn what these amazing partners have to offer our schools and our students. These sessions are designed to allow for deeper exploration. Stop by for a sequence of 20-minute presentations, and enjoy a sweet cold treat while you learn!

Monday's Conference Partners include:
Gateways ~3:00PM
Unpacked ~3:20PM
The Jewish Education Project ~3:45PM
ARJE ~4:10PM

Speakers

Brian Coonley

Gateways

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Loen Amer

Loen Peltz Amer (she/her/הִיא) is The Jewish Education Project’s Senior Manager, Teen Education and Engagement. A thirteen-year synagogue experiential educator, Loen most recently worked at Temple Israel of Great Neck and Bet Torah in Mt. Kisco. Loen lives on Manhattan’s Upper... Read More →

Jonathan Golden

Dr. Jonathan Golden is a Senior Educator at OpenDor Media who works in the Unpacked for Educators and ConnectED divisions. He teaches at the Hebrew College in Boston and for the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Previously, he served as the Israel Curriculum Coordinator and... Read More →

Looking to build more joyful, proud Jewish experiences? pdf

PD. Resources. Inspiration. It’s all waiting for you. The Jewish Educator Portal pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 202

Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

From Learning to Leading: How MTEI Alumni Create Change in Their Schools

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose I

In this session, MTEI alumni will share how they have brought core MTEI principles to life in their settings. Participants will explore concrete examples of instructional leadership in action from curriculum innovation to faculty growth and community building. Participants will gain practical ideas, strategies, and resources they can adapt to their own work, while reflecting on how they, too, can lead meaningful change in their communities.

Speakers

Seymour Kopelowitz

Program Director, MTEI

Deborah Niederman, RJE

Leader of Recruitment, Mandel Teacher Educator Institute

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Administration, Teaching Tools & Techniques

Company Administration
Audience Principals
Track Adminstrative track
Type Main

9:00am EDT

Navigating Any Negotiation

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

College Hall Rm 239

An educators job hinges on the ability to communicate others and create agreement often where there are shared or different and/or conflicting interests. These negotiations hinge on assumption, preparation, and research. In this session we are going to learn how to best prepare for negotiations based on literature from the business world and then workshop areas that you might want to negotiate for yourself.

Speakers

Stacy Rigler

Non-Profit Staff/CEO, ARJE

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Administration, B-Mitzvah

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

4:45pm EDT

Onboarding for Productivity and Retention

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

Maria Hall Multipurpose 2

Join ElevatEd for a workshop for educators in any educational setting! Together we will discuss strategies to create effective onboarding experiences that boost productivity and foster long-term retention. Participants will explore best practices for welcoming new staff, setting clear expectations, and creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and connection. Through interactive discussions and practical tools, attendees will leave with actionable steps to enhance their onboarding processes, ensuring a smooth transition for new team members and a stronger, more cohesive teaching staff.

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 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose 2

Administration, Early Childhood Education

Company Administration, Early Childhood Education
Audience Principals, Not Age-Specific
Track Adminstrative track
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