Cornerstone 2026: Full Schedule

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12:00pm EDT

Endless Blessings: Exploring Holiness in Our Own Lives

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

In this session, we will reflect on the sources of holiness in our own lives inspired by the prayer Nisim B'chol Yom. Each participant will create a small reminder of the endless blessings and daily miracles they experience.

Speakers

Jill Stepak

Educator, she/her

Jill Stepak is an educator, instructional designer, musician, artist, and a proud Camp Interlaken JCC alum. For the past twenty years, Jill has worked to integrate arts, Jewish learning, and educational theories in a variety of settings, from synagogues to camps, schools, and for-profits... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
TBA

Monday Fellow Elective

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project, A quiet, solo experience, Thought provoking text study
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows

12:00pm EDT

Holy Rocks! Making the Ordinary Divine

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will reflect on Jewish values and express our own unique holiness through a creative art project, while also gaining tools to guide campers in exploring their values, strengths, and sacred sense of self.

Speakers

Lisa Handelman

Educator, she/her

Lisa Handelman is a camp kid first and foremost. She is a coach, consultant, workshop facilitator, youth mental health first aid instructor and is the Director of Inclusion and Belonging at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Lisa has over twenty-five years of experience... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
TBA

Monday Fellow Elective

Company A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows

12:00pm EDT

Jumping In: Mikveh and the Power of Ritual

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

TBA

Ritual is a tool to help us notice time passing, mark transitions in life, and bring meaning to moments. Mikveh is the ancient Jewish ritual of immersing one's body in water to mark a person's transition from one state of being to another. In this session, we will explore the mikveh experience to discover how we can create our own rituals to bring meaning to moments of transition at camp and beyond.

Speakers

Akiko Yonekawa

Educator, she/her

Aki Yonekawa is a Jewish educator who lives mostly in Massachusetts, sometimes in California, and all the time in a state of wonder. She grew up going to the Wilshire Blvd. Temple Camps and worked at Camp JCA Shalom and Camp Alonim. Her current camp gig is a program for 20-29 year-olds... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
TBA

Monday Fellow Elective

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows

12:00pm EDT

Sacred Table

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will explore how care for the body, intention, and presence, rooted in the teachings of Maimonides, can transform ordinary gatherings into meaningful moments. Through a guided tea experience, ritual, reflection, and shared food, participants will learn practical ways to elevate staff meetings, bunk time, and daily camp moments into spaces of connection and renewal.

Speakers

Tomer Moked

Educator, he/him

Tomer Moked relocated from Israel to Michigan in 2019 to take on the role of Director of NEXTGen Detroit at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, where he leads a board of 50 young adults and a team of seven talented professionals. Tomer is a certified life and career coach (M.C.I.) specializing... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
TBA

Monday Fellow Elective

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows

2:30pm EDT

Art with Intention: From Craft to Kadosh (Holy)

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will learn to use art as a dynamic tool for creating meaningful Jewish learning experiences for your campers. Together we will explore how various art forms (painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, fiber and moreâ) can be used to bring Jewish values, stories, and traditions to life. By the end of the session, you will have a toolkit of creative ideas and techniques to make Jewish learning both impactful and memorable, inspiring campers to see the beauty of Judaism through the lens of artistic representation and expression.

Speakers

Jill Stepak

Educator, she/her

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project, A quiet, solo experience, Thought provoking text study
Audience Fellows

2:30pm EDT

Nature

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will explore Jewish nature through hands on, fun activities like: making fires (esh), solo sits (Hitbodedut), natural art, interactive games, and planting trees all while being a community in the forest and learning from and with nature, trees/bushes, and each other.

Speakers

Josh Lake

Educator, he/him

Josh Lake received a Master's degree in Jewish Education from The Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the founder and principal operator of Outdoor Jewish Adventures, a company whose goal is to explore Creation and the role Jews play as partners in Creation. Josh works with teachers... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company Engaging group discussion, Energizing physical activity, A creative/hands on project, A quiet, solo experience, Thought provoking text study
Audience Fellows

2:30pm EDT

Science

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will dive into the most awe-inspiring science activities and discover how they can help achieve the most important goals at camp.

Speakers

Daniel Abramson

Educator, he/him

Long before he earned a BFA from OCAD University, a BEd from York University, and an MEd from OISE at the University of Toronto, Daniel Abramson was just a curious kid with an urge to take things apart to figure out how they worked. His passion for inquiry, curiousity and discovery... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows

2:30pm EDT

Storytelling: The Silly. The Sacred. The Special.

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will play with the ways that stories (and storytellers!) show up at camp. We will learn how to use storytelling effectively with campers using collaborative games, writing, drawing, improv, Jewish texts, and our holy, limitless imaginations!

Speakers

JessAnn Smith

Educator, she/any

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, JessAnn is a dedicated educator, social worker, and storyteller committed to building inclusive and accessible Jewish communities. With experience at organizations like Keshet, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, and most recently Stony Brook... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows

2:30pm EDT

Tale as Old as Time: Integrating Jewish Texts into Programming

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will explore what it means to be interpreters and teachers of Torah and learn the skills and strategies to make Jewish texts engaging and "campy."

Speakers

Akiko Yonekawa

Educator, she/her

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project, Thought provoking text study
Audience Supervisors

2:30pm EDT

The Music in You

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

TBA

In this track, we will explore techniques to unlock and reveal the hidden songs inside of us so that we can add new awesome meaningful songs to our camps and beyond. Songwriting for everyone!

Speakers

Pesach Stadlin

Educator, he/him

Pesach is a founding member and Rabbi of Eden Village Summer Camps. He is a big fan of creator and creation, and his favorite spiritual postures are closeness and balance. He has lived up in the Redwood trees, on sailboats, and led 17 international trips with American Jewish World... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
TBA

Program Track

Company A creative/hands on project, Singing and/or music making
Audience Fellows

7:30pm EDT

Dance Dance Revelation: A Hero's Journey to Holiness

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will embody holy inspiration through dance, movement, and active construction to get the malevolent out and bring the marvelous in!

Speakers

Josh Friedman

Educator, he/him

Josh is a professor of psychology at Manhattan University studying how people help each other learn. In 15 summers at URJ Greene Family Camp, Josh worked with almost every age group, spending the bulk of his time on challenge courses, working with teens, and training CITs. Before... Read More →

Zachary Snyder

Educator, he/him

Zach Snyder (MA,LMHC) is a current resident of Seattle and a graduate of the mighty Camp Solomon Schechter gaga pits. He is passionate about Positive Youth Development, whimsy and a darn good snack. Zach wholeheartedly believes that summer camp is the best place to experience profound... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
TBA

Staffter Hours

Company Energizing physical activity, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows, Supervisors

7:30pm EDT

Dip, Braid, Smash: DIY Shabbat

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will make the three essential components for a Shabbat experience: candles, grape juice, and challah. Around the table, we will explore how preparing for Shabbat can make it feel even more holy.

Speakers

Bradley Epstein

FJC Staff, he/him

Bradley Epstein is a Fellow in Cohort IV of the FJC Fellowship, focusing on Jewish and Israel Education! Bradley first experienced the magic of Jewish camp as a camper at Z Frank Apachi Day Camp, and then truly fell in love with Jewish camp after his first summer at Beber Camp in... Read More →

Ariella Rosen

Senior Fellow Faculty, she/her

Ariella is an educator and rabbi who has dedicated her career to supporting people of all ages (but especially young people) in building personally meaningful Jewish communities and identities. She lives in Northampton, MA, where she serves as rabbi and director of education at Congregation... Read More →

Tomer Moked

Educator, he/him

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
TBA

Staffter Hours

Company Engaging group discussion, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows, Supervisors

7:30pm EDT

Let the Good Times Roll: A Jewish Joy Parade

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will design an immersive parade experience that brings Jewish joy into motion, through crafting, signing, and engaging text study.

Speakers

Jodie Goldberg

Founder and Principal, Fleurish Consulting Inc.

Jodie Goldberg is the Founder and Principal of Fleurish Consulting, a practice dedicated to helping individuals and organizations design gatherings that cultivate connection and deepen belonging between people. As a seasoned Jewish professional, Jodie's career features roles such... Read More →

Raphaela Levi

Event Intern, she/her

Raphaela Levi is a recent graduate from American University with a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations. However, her second home is her summer camp in Southern California where she was on staff for the past 4 summers. She attended Cornerstone in 2024 and is ecstatic to return... Read More →

Sara Beth Berman

Senior Fellow Faculty, she/her

Sara Beth Berman is an enthusiastic member of the FJC Cornerstone team, the Director of Youth and Family Education at Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City, and an experiential education consultant. SBB is a writer, podcaster, and storyteller, spending her career working on curricular... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
TBA

Staffter Hours

Company Energizing physical activity, A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows, Supervisors

7:30pm EDT

Magical Mythology Tour

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will explore the history and profiles of Jewish mythological characters through play, costumes, and highly-experiential activities. Come prepared to get to know the supernatural and make some mischief.

Speakers

Pesach Stadlin

Educator, he/him

Melissa Shaw

Educator, she/they

Melissa Shaw is a facilitator, organizer and educator who offers a unique consultancy based in social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, social emotional learning and the arts. She currently serves as the Director of Social Action and Courageous Conversations for Lab/Shul in... Read More →

Sophie Schwarz

Event Intern, she/her

Sophie Schwarz is a second-year student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, pursuing a B.A. in English with a minor in Applied Psychology. She is passionate about youth engagement and community building. Sophie has spent eight summers at Camp JCA Shalom, most recently... Read More →

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
TBA

Staffter Hours

Company A creative/hands on project
Audience Fellows, Senior Fellows, Supervisors

7:30pm EDT

Wholly Holy: An Evening of Creative Play

Monday May 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

TBA

In this session, we will play with fun (and potentially messy) art materials to imaginatively and creatively explore the holiness, awe, and wonder that can be found all around us.

Speakers