Conservative Jewish Educator (CJE)

Conservative Jewish Educator (CJE)

The title of CJE is intended to recognize attaining a standard of achievement in the field of Conservative Jewish education and stand as a mark of honor and distinction. Earning the CJE is based on educational experience, academic study, and a demonstration of commitment to the goals of the JEA.

The goal of this certification is to recognize educators who have achieved the highest professional standards of our organization and to encourage ongoing learning, growth, and development. 

Those who have met the requirements for the title of CJE will be honored at the Annual JEA Conference.

Applications for the title of CJE may be submitted at any time. Click here to complete the application.

We encourage all of our members who qualify for this certification to complete and submit the application. Those who do not yet qualify are encouraged to set a goal of meeting these standards and earning the recognition inherent in this title. Applicants for the CJE accreditation who feel that they qualify but do not meet requirements below may seek out sponsorship of another CJE accredited JEA member in good standing and request a formal review of their candidacy. 

Applications for the title of CJE may be submitted at any time. Click here to complete the application.

Requirements for the CJE

Requirements for Rabbi/Educator Candidates
  • Rabbinic ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, or other JEA approved institution or equivalent work experience recognized by the JEA.
  • Candidates should have completed coursework in Education and Administration granted by colleges and/or universities, which can include credits completed as part of the rabbinic program.  
  • A period of at least three years as a teacher or youth group leader in a Conservative or communal Jewish educational setting and five years, of which three must be consecutive, in an administrative capacity in a Conservative congregational or day school, USCJ/USY, early childhood, family education program,youth program, camp, or other Jewish formal/informal educational program . 
  • If candidates do not meet the Education and/or Administration requirement, then a candidate can complete this requirement by participating in mentorship and in professional development through JEA by attending webinars, conferences, etc. or other JEA approved organizations. A minimum of 180 hours is required to be completed.
  • If a candidate doesn’t have the requisite administrative and/or education experience, then they will need to complete a minimum of one year mentorship with a JEA Certified Jewish Educator (CJE) who is in good standing with JEA . Mentorship guidelines will be determined with the candidate for CJE.  The mentorship requirement is an essential component of the CJE certification process and is designed to ensure that Jewish educators receive personalized guidance and support from experienced professionals within the field of Jewish education. This requirement aligns with the commitment to excellence and the high standards set by the Jewish Educators Assembly.
  • A demonstrated commitment to Conservative Jewish education beyond the above requirements, as evidenced by membership in good standing (at least for the past three years and up to date), currently in good standing in the JEA, consistent participation in JEA organized conferences or programs, contributions to the field such as curriculum or program development projects, and/or continued academic learning. Special consideration will be given to those members of the RA, CA, JYDA, and NAASE who have been members of their organizations and shifted into educational positions.
Requirements for Cantor/Educator Candidates
  • Graduates from Jewish Theological Seminary's H.L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music or other JEA approved institution or equivalent work experience recognized by the JEA.
  • Candidates should have completed coursework in Education and Administration granted by colleges and/or universities, which can include credits completed as part of the cantorial program.
  • A period of at least three years as a teacher or youth group leader in a Conservative or communal Jewish educational setting and five years, of which three must be consecutive, in an administrative capacity in a Conservative congregational or day school, USCJ/USY, early childhood, family education program,youth program, camp, or other Jewish formal/informal educational program . 
  • If candidates do not meet the Education and/or Administrative requirement, then a candidate can complete this requirement by participating in mentorship and professional development through JEA by attending webinars, conferences, etc. or other JEA approved organizations. A minimum of 180 hours is required to be completed.
  • If a candidate doesn’t have the administrative and/or Education experience, then they may complete a minimum of one year mentorship with a JEA Certified Jewish Educator (CJE) who is in good standing with JEA. Mentorship guidelines will be determined with the candidate for CJE.  The mentorship requirement is an essential component of the CJE certification process and is designed to ensure that Jewish educators receive personalized guidance and support from experienced professionals within the field of Jewish education. This requirement aligns with the commitment to excellence and the high standards set by the Jewish Educators Assembly.
  • A demonstrated commitment to Conservative Jewish education beyond the above requirements, as evidenced by at least three years membership in good standing in the JEA, consistent participation in JEA organized conferences or programs, contributions to the field such as curriculum or program development projects, and/or continued academic learning.  Special consideration will be given to those members of the RA, CA, JYDA, and NAASE who have been members of their organizations and shifted into educational positions.
Requirements for Masters Degree Candidates
  • Master’s degree in Jewish Education, Jewish studies, non-for-profit management, public administration and/or related Master’s degree from a JEA recognized institution or equivalent work experience recognized by the JEA.
  • For a related Master’s degree, applicants should complete course work in education, administration and Jewish studies, including Hebrew.
  • A period of at least three years as a teacher or youth group leader in a Conservative or communal Jewish educational setting and five years, of which three must be consecutive, in an administrative capacity in a Conservative congregational or day school, USCJ/USY, early childhood, family education program,youth program, camp, or other Jewish formal/informal educational program .
  • If candidates do not meet the Education and/or Administration requirement, then a candidate can complete this requirement by participating in mentorship and in professional development through JEA by attending webinars, conferences, etc. or other JEA approved organizations. A minimum of 180 hours is required to be completed.
  • If a candidate doesn’t have the requisite administrative and/or education experience, then they will need to complete a minimum of one year mentorship with a JEA Certified Jewish Educator (CJE) who is in good standing with JEA . Mentorship guidelines will be determined with the candidate for CJE.  The mentorship requirement is an essential component of the CJE certification process and is designed to ensure that Jewish educators receive personalized guidance and support from experienced professionals within the field of Jewish education. This requirement aligns with the commitment to excellence and the high standards set by the Jewish Educators Assembly.
  • A demonstrated commitment to Conservative Jewish education beyond the above requirements, as evidenced by membership in good standing (at least for the past three years and up to date), currently in good standing in the JEA, consistent participation in JEA organized conferences or programs, contributions to the field such as curriculum or program development projects, and/or continued academic learning. Special consideration will be given to those members of the RA, CA, JYDA, and NAASE who have been members of their organizations and shifted into educational positions.
Additional Methods of Meeting CJE Requirements
  • If a candidate doesn’t have the administrative and/or Education experience then they may complete a minimum of one year mentorship with a JEA Certified Jewish Educator (CJE) who is in good standing with JEA. Mentorship guidelines will be determined with the candidate for CJE.  The mentorship requirement is an essential component of the CJE certification process and is designed to ensure that Jewish educators receive personalized guidance and support from experienced professionals within the field of Jewish education. This requirement aligns with the commitment to excellence and the high standards set by the Jewish Educators Assembly.
  • A demonstrated commitment to Conservative Jewish education beyond the above requirements, as evidenced by at least three years membership in good standing in the JEA, consistent participation in JEA organized conferences or programs, contributions to the field such as curriculum or program development projects, and/or continued academic learning.  Special consideration will be given to those members of the RA, CA, JYDA, and NAASE who have been members of their organizations and shifted into educational positions.

CJE Recipients

The following educators have fulfilled the requirements for the Conservative Jewish Educator certificate.

They may affix the CJE credential to their name and title.

Sandy Andron

Elly Bauman

Cathy Berkowitz

Sandra Borowsky

Larry I. Brandspiegel

Jason Cathcart

Janice Colmar

Babette Cohn

Beth Cohn Copelovitch

Tirza Covel

Stacey David

Debra Deutsch

Aliza Drumm

Peter Eckstein

Eddie Edelstein

Dina Eliezer

Itzhak Emanuel

Jill Epstein

Joshua Fineblum

Edwin Frankel

Elisha Frumkin

Yaffa Fuchs

Alicia Gejman

Estee Gold

Leslie Goldress

Rebecca Gordon

Nancy Gorod

Barry Gruber

Judy Haven

Robin Hoffman Foonberg

Tobi Innerfield

Selilah Kalev

Lawrence Katz

Steve Kerbel

Sherrie Klein

Danny Kochavi

Michael Korman

Eliyahu Krigel

Patti Kroll

Marshall Kupchan

Judith Kuper Jaffe

Lauren Kurland

Ben Lewis

Wendy Light

Scott Littky

Keri Loventhal

Sherri Morris

Hedda Morton

Jeffrey Myers

Louis Nagel

Laura Naide

Fred Nathan

Jennifer Newfeld

Sol Novick

Matthew Nover

Adrianne Pasternak

Lonna Picker

Lisa Pressman

Harvey Raben

Andrea Raizen

Karen Raizen

Lisa Richman

Fran Richter

Jim Rogozen

Liz Rolle

Howard Rosenbaum

Tamara Ruben

Cindy Saper

Michael Schatz

Julie Schwarzwald


Maxine Segal Handelman

Melissa Ser

Sara Shapiro-Plevan

Charles Sherman

Janette Silverman

Sara Simon

Elizabeth Singer

Samara Sofian

Robert Spitz

Paul Steinberg

Janice Tytell

Arlyne Ungar

Saul Wachs

Sharon Wasserberg

Esther Weiss

Bob Westle

Susan Wyner