Spoiler Alert

by Nina Woldin

As a designer of Jewish educational materials and programs, for decades my summers have been planned around the CAJE (The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) conference. 

CAJE originally stood for the Coalition for Alternatives in Jewish Education. Its activities included an annual conference that drew more Jewish educators than any other similar event, so the materials I designed had to be ready to showcase by early August every year. My summer vacations always started after the CAJE conference. In 2009, CAJE closed. In 2010 a new organization called NewCAJE arose, led by founder Cherie Koller-Fox.

NewCAJE is virtual this year, as it was last year and the year before, and is taking place as I write! This year, I will be leading three Chai Mitzvah sessions. SPOILER ALERT: Here’s what’s new this coming year!

SPOILER ALERT: Here’s what’s new this coming year!

1. ROSH CHODESH: This year we will be offering a new curriculum perfect for Rosh Chodesh groups! Rosh Chodesh means the “Head of the Month.” According to the Sefer Yetzirah,  the Book of Creation, each month in the Jewish year has a letter of the alef bet, a zodiac sign, one of the 12  tribes of Israel, and a controlling limb associated with it. Each sourcebook will include information on these items, the biography of a woman associated with the month – plus meaningful text-based conversations relating to all of these topics.
2. ASERET ISRAEL SCHOLARS: TRAVELING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: This curriculum is specifically designed to connect the values in the Ten Commandments to places in Israel, whether for a trip to Israel, or for a virtual trip. Chai Mitzvah developed the Aseret Israel Scholars program in partnership with Project Aseret, a global movement focused on learning and living with the Core Values of the Ten Commandments. Although Aseret Israel Scholars is ideal for B’nai Mitzvah students and includes some family activities, it can also be used across the board for all ages, including adults.
3. KEHILA: CARING & COMMUNITY: If Moshe Rabeynu, who had a speech defect, were to come into our synagogue and want to read from the Torah that he gave us, could we handle it without becoming embarrassed if he were to stutter? There is a wonderful new program for Chai Mitzvah teens coming up in the next school year. Kehila: Caring & Community focuses on disabilities and inclusion. Written in partnership with Jennifer Saber of Shutaf Inclusion Programs, it combines relevant, text-based conversations and experiential learning. As students explore Jewish perspectives on disability, they also learn about themselves and their world. Click here if you’d like to see a sample!

If you are registered for NewCAJE, please check out our sessions! If this is not a conference you attend, you can still find out more about these great new programs. Just let me know in the response box below.