Tuesday Pictures
Wednesday Pictures
Thursday Pictures
Registration is a time to greet friends from afar. E-mail is fine, but face-to-face is better for greeting and sharing. Seattle is a friendly place and so is CAJE; the many first-timers feel welcome and at home. Those who were here for Shabbat and Tisha B’Av were enriched and renewed by this special retreat. During the Pre-Conference, CAJE networks each took the opportunity to explore excellence in congregational and communal learning through their particular lens. The main Conference began with a program that was both informative and entertaining. Laughter, learning, and singing filled the auditorium.
Each morning, Conference participants rise early to choose among the many Torah Lishma sessions that open the day. Then on to the rest of the day!
Don't worry. The program book is less complicated than this grid that helps the Conference Key Leadership Team and the CAJE Staff keep track of all the additions and changes to the multitude of offerings.
The Beit Midrash has begun. This year's topic, Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, takes its theme from Tisha B'Av, and offers a Jewish take on the every-day activities. If you're not at the Conference, don't worry -- you'll be getting the book in the mail as part of the post-Conference mailing.
This participant in the CAJE Schusterman College Program is taking his directions for one of the group's activities very seriously.
Seattle is a "green" town and CAJE followed that lead. After the candlelight reading of Eicha, metal containers were separated from candles for reycling.
Old and young alike come to the Conference to learn and to share.
This Mifgash participant from Israel has five grandchildren, something she shared in the program's icebreakers.
The first full day of CAJE 30 was truly full. It started with Torah Lishma sessions early in the morning and carried on through keynotes and sessions. Conversations and sharing continued through meals and strolls (or dashes) to classes. And there there was Festival CAJE in the evening. What a way to end the day -- shop till you drop at the Expo, then sing and dance to great music.
Do you use the Curriculum Bank? Do you have curriculum to share? Send your curriclum ideas to cb@caje.org and help keep the CB well-stocked with new ideas.
Session at CAJE aren't frontal. There's give-and-take between the presenter and Conference participants as well as between those attending sessions.
There was time for discussion and problem-solving as part of Cyd Weissman's keynote on "Visions for Change."
Not all sessions at CAJE take place inside. This session for Bogrim, 7th - 9th graders, involved an excursion outside and a lesson on trying knots.
There was time for discussion and problem-solving as part of Cyd Weissman's keynote on "Visions for Change."
CAJE is a celebration of Jewish learning -- and a birthday celebration for a few! All those taking part in the traditional packet-stuffing party sang "Happy Birthday" to CAJE staffer Ryan Pruitt and Mifgash participant Miriam Chemi. CAJE 30 Conference Chair Iris Petroff also celebrated her anniversary that same day.
Mentoring is an important part of the Schusterman College Program. A mentoring relationship that begins at CAJE carries on throughout the year via phone calls and e-mail.
The Advocacy Commission presented Rabbi Bradley Artson as the keynote speaker for Festival CAJE, but they also offered a hands-on activity to show kavod to Jewish educators. Conference participants could make a pin to proudly wear with the words CAJE 30 and/or Kavod as part of the design.
Drizzle and damp greeted CAJE Conference participants this morning, but at least it wasn't the heavy rain that one often saw as a backdrop to "Frasier." The sky brightened as the day went on and the smiles on the faces of CAJE 30 participants broadened as they attended more and more sessions. A camera crew from the local NBC affiliate was on campus to gather opinions about the disengagement process and the segment made the 5 p.m. news! CAJE is a star (but we knew that already!).
Yosef Leobowitz, founder and Director of the Yad Yaakov Fund for Jewish Education in Israel, was one of several people attending the Conference who were interviewed on his views on disengagement.
Chaim Feder, Director of Jewish Education, Programming, and Professional Development Division, FSU Dept., American Joint Distribution Committee, also presented his views on the disengagement.
CAJE takes evauation seriously and so does this Conference attendee. Everyone attending a session is encouraged to complete an evaluation -- and each evaluation is carefully read.
Early Childhood educators were treated to a lively session that taught movement, dramatic play, and transitional activities to keep students engaged.
Many Conference participants signed up to become part of the $5 campaign, where they decided how often they wanted to donate $5 to CAJE. Even if you weren't at the Conference, you can become part of the campaign by going to http://www.caje.org/5forCAJE/index.html.
Like a nice hoody or a T? CAJE has some new T-shirts and sweatshirts, both come in green or burgundy. Conference participants aren't the only ones who can wear this new gear. Hooded sweatshirts are $20 each (plus $6 shipping and handling) and T's are $12 (plus $4 shipping and handling). To order, send a note to cajeny@caje.org with your credit card number, expiration date, and type of card MC or VISA only). Don't forget to give us size, and, of course, your name and snail mail address
The Conference wound down on Thursday, but there was still a full schedule of Torah Lishma sessions in the morning, keynotes, and sessions before the closing program at 3 p.m. Time to pack all the handouts and purchases at the Expo, and then off to the airport! See you at Duke next August!
Even before the Conference was over, work on next year's Beit Midrash book began. This year's Beit Midrash book topic is Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.
Waiting for the shuttle to the airport is one last chance to say goodbye to friends old and new. Check out the box of materials collected at the sessions.
This year's Conference tik was big enough to carry the program book and all the session handouts you could collect.
Even though programming is almost 24/7, there's still time for a newspaper break.
Just enough time for a last-minute purchase at the Expo!
Everyone had a good time at CAJE!