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ARJE27 Mattering Bookclub

Tuesday, December 15, 2026 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) (EST)

Description

To help prepare us for ARJE27 in St. Louis where the theme is Mattering, let's read and discuss Jennifer Breheny Wallace's Book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Participants should have already read the book (or at least through chapter 5) and come with questions as we discuss the topics brought up in our reading and what we hope to gain from learning together at the gathering.

Presenter Bios:


Sarah Canfield-Dafilou (she/her) in the Director of Congregational Learning at Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains, NY where she oversees the Kesher religious school as well as all educational programs from our early childhood programs to youth and family engagement to adult education. Sarah holds two Masters degrees from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Religious Education and Jewish Nonprofit Management. She has spent over a decade working in the field of Jewish education, from teaching in religious schools in Pennsylvania and New York, to working with student leaders at Hillels of Westchester. She has developed curriculum and facilitator training programs with the Mussar Institute, and has served as the Director of Experiential Education at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto. Sarah serves on the Professional Learning Committee for the ARJE, is a Communication Co-Chair for ARJE27 and a member of the HUC-JIR Schools of Education Alumni Association Leadership Team. 


Before joining Tzedek America full-time, Elana served as a Tzedek America intern for two years. Previously, she was the Youth Engagement Director and Program Assistant at Temple Beth Am in Jupiter, Florida. She also worked as a Residential Advisor at American Hebrew Academy and served as a Youth Advisor at Temple Beth El in Fort Myers while earning her undergraduate degree. During college, Elana was President of Hillel at Florida Gulf Coast University for three years and was recognized as the 2015 Registered Student Organization President of the Year for her leadership. A lifelong participant in the Reform Jewish movement, Elana attended URJ Camp Coleman and URJ Kutz Camp, served on her temple youth group board throughout high school, and later returned as a Unit Head at URJ 6 Points Sports Academy.

Elana earned her Master of Arts in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Studies and Criminal Justice from Florida Gulf Coast University. Beyond her formal education, she is an active leader in Jewish education through the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE). She has been serving on ARJE’s Professional Learning Committee for two years and currently serves as Communications Co-Chair of the planning committee for the ARJE27 Annual Conference.
ARJE Zoom
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) (EST)
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