NewCAJE15: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality

In this workshop, we will examine some textual examples of miracles in the Torah. It is more than a subtle curiosity that every time the Torah describes a miracle, no one seems to draw the “obvious” lesson, which may be the most important lession of all. This is strange because all of us divide our experiences in life as either ordinary or extraordinary. We will explore Judaism’s unique point of view as to how to celebrate the sacred nature in the commonplace. If we were to take life’s ordinary events for granted less, our lives would be much richer. This methodology may assist especially young people, to be open to the deeper meanings in Torah—the ones that are hiding “in plain sight”. We will learn how to bring that openness into our classrooms.

Speakers

Michael Zedek

Rabbi Michael Zedek is Rabbi-in-Residence at Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Emanuel Congregation (Chicago) and Congregation B'nai Jehudah (Kansas City). He has had the privilege of teaching around the world, including in Israel... Read More →

Monday July 29, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
UNIV 3048

Bible/Text Torah L'shma

11:00am EDT

What does it mean to be a learner? The Ten Commandments of Learning, Teaching and Growing

What does Jewish tradition tell us about effective learning, teaching and growth? We'll explore a plethora of texts to ground ourselves in the very relevant ancient wisdom of our tradition to deepen our own openness to learning and growth and to help the learners (and everyone) in our lives approach their learning with openness, humility, bravery, collaboration, diligence and more!

Speakers

Abby Eisenberg

Founder & Lead Educator, Judaics Tutoring NYC

Abby Eisenberg is founder and lead educator of Judaics Tutoring NYC, where she and her team of tutors work with curious learners of all ages, facilitating personalized text-based Jewish learning. Abby teaches adults at the 92NY, Manhattan JCC, My Jewish Learning and officiates lifecycle... Read More →

Monday July 29, 2024 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
UNIV 2031

Pedagogy Torah L'shma

8:30pm EDT

Draw Your Own Torah Comics

Have a wonderful evening learning to draw comics from the Torah with Andrew Galitzer. No experience required!

Speakers

Andrew Galitzer

Creator, TORAH COMICS

Andrew, aka AND-i-DREW, is passionate about teaching Torah through comics. In 6th-grade, he started drawing Torah Comics, educational comic strips for every Torah Portion. Last year, he fulfilled his dream by publishing the Torah Comic Book! He loves to visit schools to teach cartooning... Read More →

Monday July 29, 2024 8:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
UNIV 2002

The Arts Torah L'shma

10:30am EDT

Our Sacred Text as a Tool for Understanding the Science of Pedagogy

Do you ever wonder where you can go to learn about how to be the best teacher you can be? In this workshop, we will travel through time to learn from the Rabbis of our sacred tradition. Our ancient texts are rich with applicable lessons to our work today. It turns out that the rabbis were brilliant pedagogues who really thought about the most effective (and affective) ways to meet learner needs. You will leave with a new understanding of how best to teach your students.

Speakers

Deborah Niederman

Tuesday July 30, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
UNIV 2012

Bible/Text Pedagogy Torah L'Shma

10:30am EDT

Magic of the Shoresh

Every letter, every section of every letter in the Torah has a meaning, has a story. In English speaking countries, the prayers and texts are usually translated into English. All translation is interpretation. It is always commentary. A standard is used, according to the translators’ points of view, because it is unreasonable for every interpretation to be presented.. This program peels back layers of meanings of Hebrew words exploring their mysterious and obscure roots through discussion and story.

Speakers

Chana Stein

Maggida-Omanit

Magidda-Omanit Chana Stein has been a Jewish educator her entire adult life. She has taught every age from two-year old to elders, elementary, middle and high school. She has written stories, modern midrashim, and developed educational programs incorporating story, art, and text... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
UNIV 2008

Hebrew Torah L'shma

10:30am EDT

Judaism’s 10 Best Ideas

Get reacquainted with the greatness of the Jewish heritage. Learn how fundamental Jewish concepts shape Western civilization and create modern society as we know it today. We will discuss key contributions the Jewish People have made to humanity– monumental insights that instill pride and connection in our students, and empower teachers to celebrate their role in the chain of transmission. This workshop will offer a fresh view of the “BIG TEN” as enumerated by Rabbi Arthur Green in his popular book, Judaism's 10 Best Ideas, emphasizing ways to communicate the genius of Judaism to the next generation.

Speakers

Sam Glaser

Sam Glaser's soulful music is beloved by fans around the globe. His unbridled energy combines with impeccable musicianship to ignite the spirit of audiences of all ages on his annual tours. He has released 30 albums, 7 musicals, sheet music books and the Amazon bestselling book, The... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
UNIV 2032

Torah L'shma

4:15pm EDT

Jews in Space

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the NewCAJE Conference. Its weeklong mission: to explore strange new ideas. To seek out new models and new approaches. To boldly go where only Mel Brooks has gone before! (With apologies to Star Trek)
Join RabbI Matt Nover as he explores what halakhah (Jewish Law) has to say about the future, including space travel, living on other planets, and more. How do holidays work in space? What happens when a planet's day is 48 hours, instead of 24? Come and learn!
This session will also reflect on what it means to teach Jewish Law, and explore how asking what might seem to be strange questions can be a pedagogic tool.

Speakers

Matthew Nover

Tuesday July 30, 2024 4:15pm - 5:45pm EDT
UNIV 3052

Bible/Text Torah L'shma

9:00am EDT

Va-ani Tefilati/I Am My Prayer

King David offered the text and technique to profoundly connect with the Creator. What insights are available in the various sections of standardized prayer? How many of us actually look forward to 3x/day prayer sessions? How many of our students run away or space out during prayer? We will examine techniques to make daily prayers personal and meaningful with powerful insights handed down throughout millennia of Jewish mindfulness tradition.

Speakers

Sam Glaser

Wednesday July 31, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
UNIV 2031

Tefillah/Prayer Torah L'shma

11:00am EDT

Read it Again: A Close Reading of Jacob and Esau

What if the Torah tells us a story overtly in what appears to be a clear narrative, but with some digging, it becomes fairly apparent that the exact opposite happened?! Come close-read with me and decide for yourselves if this is the case in the so-called "stealing of the birthright" story involving the twins, Jacob and Esau and their parents, Isaac and Rebecca. (Knowing Hebrew is not necessary, but it is an advantage.)

Speakers

Ruz Gulko

Rabbi/Cantor/Educator, Gan Argaman

Ruz Gulko is a freelance rabbi, cantor, and educator, who is pushing 70 and getting more radical as she ages. She is passionate about Jewish texts, children, the planet, and gently making good trouble. Ruz believes that learning Torah and eating chocolate together could bring about... Read More →

Wednesday July 31, 2024 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
UNIV 2008

Bible/Text Torah L'shma