NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

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

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

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

Experiential Learning for Beginners

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

College Hall Rm 348

There are so many ways to create learning experiences that engage our students. What if you could create experiences where the students are the masters of their own learning? Experiential learning may be the answer. In this session we will begin to explore how one educator has helped teachers adapt the methods and ideas developed by the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, where he trained. We will attempt the deliberate infusion of Jewish Values (Middot) into engaging and memorable experiences that impact on the formation of Jewish Identity.

Speakers

Ira Wise

Ira currently serves as Temple Educator at Temple Beth Tikvah, a Reform congregation in Madison, CT, and has served as a mentor for other synagogue educators through the Leadership Institute, HUC-JIR and Beit T'shuvah. He has attended and presented at CAJE and NewCAJE off and on... Read More →

Monday July 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Teaching Tools and Techniques, Jewish Life & Identity

Audience Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teachers, Principals
Type Main

3:00pm EDT

Beyond the Workshop - Sew Crafty: A Make and Take Session

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

College Hall Rm 348

Get ready for a hands-on crafting session packed with fun, holiday, and prayer-themed projects! Join expert crafters, religious school teachers, and tefillah leaders Shelli Aderman and Karen Daniel for a fun, interactive workshop. You’ll learn how to bring these creations to life from scratch using fabric, colorful markers, and basic sewing materials. You’ll walk away with step-by-step instructions and the skills to create your very own handmade "plague balls," "prayer pillows," and more. All supplies are provided—just bring your creativity!

Includes a presentation about My Felt Story - a resource for your school.

Speakers

Sarah Cohen

My Felt Story

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.

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 →

Plague Balls 2026 pdf

Monday July 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

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

9:00am EDT

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

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

College Hall Rm 348

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 →

NewCaje TeamBuiling in Classrrooms docx

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
College Hall Rm 348

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
Type Main

11:00am EDT

Stirring Up Engagement: Culinary Programming for Youth and Teens

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

College Hall Rm 348

Food is an evergreen tool for building community, developing leadership, and getting kids excited. In this session, I'll share programs I've run—from teen-catered kiddush luncheons and challah bake fundraisers to cooking chuggim, recipe-testing events, and even entire pop-up restaurants. Whether you have a handful of children or more hands than you'd know what to do with, this session will provide practical ideas, lessons learned, and ready-to-use materials for creating meaningful, engaging, and even revenue-generating culinary programs.

Speakers

Emily Catalano

After accidentally gaslighting a rabbi, Emily Catalano, a bartender, found a fulfilling career in Jewish engagement and education. Now a seasoned youth director and educator, she has worked with children and teens of all ages (infants, too!) for nearly a decade. She works at PJTC... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
College Hall Rm 348

Teens/Youth Engagement, Jewish Life & Identity

Audience Middle School, High 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

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 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

9:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

3:00pm EDT

4:45pm EDT

9:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

4:45pm EDT

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