NewCAJE17: 50th Anniversary: Full Schedule

8:30pm EDT

Israeli Dancing

Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT

Speakers

Barbara Birenbaum

San Diego, California, Cre8ive Educator

Barbara has decades of experience teaching a variety of creative arts to folks of all ages as well as multiple academic subjects. She holds a California Teaching Credential since 1989, a Master’s of Arts in Jewish Education since 2014, and has been growing her passion for leading... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Maria Hall Multipurpose I

Type Shabbat

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 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

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