CAJE News

(By David Bryfman, CEO of the Jewish Education Project) Just last Monday night, I experienced one of the pinnacles of my professional life: interviewing Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin. That evening, Rachel, who herself has endured unimaginable suffering, reminded us that hope is a commandment. Not a passive wish, but an active pursuit. The conversation took place at the Jewish Futures Conference, dedicated to what I called the pedagogy of hope: the idea that hope can be taught, modeled and lived. One week later, our world was shattered. On the first night of Hanukkah, an unthinkable tragedy unfolded at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Fifteen people were murdered. Scores more were wounded. And what will forever mark this event is not only its brutality, but the fact that it was an antisemitic attack — an attempt to murder Jews in public Jewish spaces.

This past month, the Robert Russell Early Childhood Department at CAJE was proud to host our annual 3-part virtual professional development series for early childhood educators across our Miami network – and the response was nothing short of extraordinary! Each session welcomed a record-breaking 108 ECE educators, a powerful reflection of both the desire for meaningful learning in our field and the deep commitment our educators bring to their work every single day. The series, The Inclusive ECE Classroom, was led by master early childhood educator and ECE consultant Marta Nemesh, whose depth of knowledge, warmth, and practical wisdom resonated throughout all three sessions.

What an extraordinary evening! On behalf of CAJE – The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education – thank you for joining us at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus for our SAGES in the 305 event featuring Dr. David Bryfman speaking about Israel Education, with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra leading us in Chanukah melodies. Your presence helped make the evening not just successful, but truly meaningful. Together, we explored deep questions about Israel, education and the way we convey our connections to the next generation — themes that resonated powerfully across generations and within our Miami Jewish community.

The Diller Teen Fellowship program is Miami’s premier leadership development initiative, selecting a group of 20 Jewish teens entering grades 10 and 11. This year-long experience focuses on strengthening personal Jewish identity, creating authentic connections with Israel and Israeli peers, and cultivating leadership skills rooted in purposeful Tikkun Olam. As a proudly pluralistic community, Diller unites teens from a wide range of schools, synagogues, and backgrounds, giving them the chance to learn from one another’s stories and perspectives. Cohort 13 embraced this diversity from the start, coming together this past weekend to celebrate Shabbat, engage in meaningful conversations about their Jewish identities, and continue building their sense of community.

At the heart of CAJE’s work is a shared communitywide vision: When we invest in the well-being, skill, and resilience of our educators, we strengthen our children, their families, and the future of Jewish life.This fall, CAJE launched major parallel initiatives for Early Childhood and Day School educators - each rooted in trauma-informed practice, professional collaboration, and the belief that adults need strong support systems to fully support their students.

If you’re looking for a leader who is reshaping how Jewish life and learning meet the world of tomorrow, no one is more worth watching than David Bryfman. As CEO of The Jewish Education Project (JEP) — a national organization that helps educators and communities reimagine and innovate Jewish learning for the modern age — he is not simply preserving Jewish education; he is boldly rewriting what it can be in the 21st century. Soon you’ll have an opportunity to hear from him in-person (see below). A Global Educator with Big Ideas - Bryfman holds a Ph.D. in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University, where his research focused on how Jewish adolescents build identity.

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in the 2025 Paradigm Project Conference, held in Tarrytown, NY, a picturesque and peaceful setting that beautifully matched the spirit of reflection, learning, and connection that filled the days. It was a truly uplifting gathering of hundreds of passionate early childhood educators from across the country who are committed to reimagining what Jewish ECE can look and feel like for children, families, and educators. The energy throughout the conference was electric; the learning was deep, and the sense of belonging to a shared movement was palpable.

Last month, the CAJE–MindCET Teacherpreneur Initiative culminated with an extraordinary visit to Israel filled with learning, creativity, and connection. The Initiative, part of the Miami–Yerucham Partnership, empowers educators to become innovators who design technological and pedagogic solutions to real classroom challenges. Educators representing Lehrman Community Day School, Pardes Jewish Day School, and CAJE-Miami participated in Israel EdTech Week, an annual gathering of teachers, entrepreneurs, and innovators exploring the future of learning.