NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

4:45pm EDT

Violence Against the Earth in the Abrahamic Religions

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

In this session we'll examine key texts, ancient and modern, from the major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—to learn how each teaches its adherents about caring for the environment. We'll discuss what the differences in their approaches mean, and how to use the texts either in our own settings or with an interfaith group.

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.

yoreh compassion and self concern pdf

RA Teshuvah on Sustainability pdf

Redwan When the Earth Speaks Against Us Environmental Ethics in Islam pdf

Laudato Si pdf

Handout Violence Against the Earth pdf

Violence Against the Earth pdf

Sunday July 26, 2026 4:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
College Hall Rm 239

Text/Bible/Theology, Adult Education

Company Spirituality/Tefilah, Adult Education
Audience Adult Students, Teachers
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

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

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

NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary

4:45pm EDT

Paul Solyn

9:00am EDT

Paul Solyn

4:45pm EDT

Ruz Gulko

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