NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

4:45pm EDT

NewCAJE Chorale

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

Come be a part of the NewCAJE chorale and practice for a grand performance at evening programs on Tuesday night! All are welcome, musicians and non-musicians alike.

Resources for chorale can be found at:
tinyurl.com/NewCAJEChorale

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Sunday July 26, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

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

3:00pm EDT

NewCAJE Chorale

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

Student Union The StAJE

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Monday July 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

Type Main

4:45pm EDT

A Tale of Two Tefillah Styles

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

College Hall Rm 239

How do you get students to participate in and enjoy tefillah? They need to learn the Hebrew words and the traditional chanting, but how can we make tefillah time meaningful? Different teachers have different styles, both in the classroom and when it comes to leading tefillah. We will show how we transformed our Sunday morning tefillah for grades 3-5 from reciting/chanting prayers to a combination of traditional chanting led by one teacher and another teacher's current/original songs, adding in holiday music and a bit of spirituality, using a slideshow with lyrics to make participation easier for all ages.

Speakers

Shoshi Braman

rel school teacher, Beth Meyer Synagogue

Julie (Shoshi) Braman grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and moved to Raleigh in 2018. For over 36 years she has enjoyed teaching students from preschool through adult. She has worked in day schools and preschools, synagogue supplementary school and public elementary schools... Read More →

Karen Daniel

Teacher and music specialist, Beth Meyer synagogue Raleigh NC

Karen Daniel is a teacher in the religious school and musical accompanist at Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh NC. Having grown up in Nashville, TN, she is also a singer/songwriter of original Jewish and country/folk songs.

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Music, Spirituality/Tefilah

Company Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Type Main

4:45pm EDT

Circle Singing Workshop

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

College Hall Rm 348

Join me for a joyful circle-singing workshop inspired by Jewish music, where we’ll create spontaneous music together through rhythm, harmony, and playful vocal improvisation. No experience is needed—just your voice and your curiosity. We’ll build layered soundscapes, listen deeply, and celebrate the magic that happens when a group becomes one living instrument. Come add your voice to the circle and explore the power of shared creativity.

Speakers

Jen Keren

Rabbi Cantor Jen Keren, a native Texan, received her B.A. from the University of Miami, J.D. from Nova Southeastern University, cantorial ordination and M.A. in sacred music from JTS , M.A. in Jewish education from Towson University and rabbinic ordination from AJR. She is currently... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Music, Spirituality/Tefilah

Company Music, Spirituality/Tefilah
Audience High School, Adult Students
Type Main

7:45pm EDT

Evening Program: Spotlight at the StAJE

Monday July 27, 2026 7:45pm - 9:15pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

Join us at the StAJE for a one‑of‑a‑kind NewCAJE night of comedy, song, and soulful stories. Fresh voices share the stage with longtime legends in this 90‑minute celebration of creativity and community.

Doors open at 7:30, program begins promptly at 7:45 with gorgeous prelude music by Adrian Durlester on the keys!

Emceed by Aaron Friedman of the Bible Players
Performances by:
Adrian Durlester

Jen Keren

Rick Lawrence

Andrea Shupack

Jennifer Zunikoff

Abba’s choir

Morgan Zwiebel

Rebecca Gundersheim

David Schwartz

Devorah Gartner

Emily Aranoff

Rachel Haymer

Aaron Friedman Comedy set closer!

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 →

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 →

Jen Keren

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 →

Morgan Zweibel

Education Coordinator, Tkiya

Morgan is the Education Coordinator at Tkiya where she teaches, manages curriculum, and trains teachers, helping to bring joyful Jewish connection to thousands of families each year. She was chosen as a Jewish Rock Radio’s Jewish All Star for 2023-24. Morgan is thrilled to combine... Read More →

Rebecca Gundersheim

Musician & Educator, Central Synagogue

Cantor Rick Lawrence

Education director, United Jewish School/Temple Emanuel

I'm a huge nerd in so many categories:Judaism (shocking)Music (also shocking)Jewish Music (cantillation, nusach, Infected Mushroom...)Games!Board gamesCard gamesVideo games (I have my Steam Deck with me)Tabletop Role Playing GamesTechnology/Computer stuffs (I have a little server... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 7:45pm - 9:15pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Storytelling

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

NewCAJE Chorale

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

Student Union The StAJE

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

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

7:00pm EDT

NewCAJE Chorale

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:30pm EDT

Student Union The StAJE

Meet at the STAJE for our final dress rehearsal before our performance!

Speakers

Michelle

Cantor, B'nai Vail

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Student Union The StAJE

Music, Torah Lishma

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

4:45pm EDT

11:00am EDT

3:00pm EDT

4:45pm EDT

4:45pm EDT

7:45pm EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

4:45pm EDT

7:00pm EDT

9:00am EDT

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