American Jewish University facts for kids
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| Motto | Education demands innovation... |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1947 |
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Religious affiliation
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Jewish |
| Endowment | $100 Million (2020) |
| President | Jay Sanderson |
| Location |
,
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United States
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| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Zion the Lion |
| Website | aju.edu |
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The American Jewish University (AJU) is a private university in Los Angeles, California. It's a special Jewish university. It was created in 2007. This happened when two older schools, the University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, joined together.
AJU has different parts for learning. These include the Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership. It also has the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. This school trains people to become Conservative Jewish rabbis.
AJU also runs the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program. This program helps people who want to convert to Judaism. It also supports families where one person is Jewish and the other is not. The university is home to three special research groups, called "think tanks." These groups study topics like Jewish-Israel relations and the ethical lessons from the Holocaust.
At its Brandeis-Bardin Campus, AJU has Camp Alonim and Gan Alonim Day Camp. It also hosts the BCI Program. The university rents out its facilities for events and even for making movies.
Contents
History of AJU
The University of Judaism started in 1947. A Jewish thinker named Mordecai Kaplan helped create it. His goal was to build a place that showed the many ways Jewish life is expressed in the United States. Rabbi Jacob Pressman was also a co-founder.
At first, it was part of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City. It also worked with the Bureau of Jewish Education in Los Angeles. In the 1970s, the University of Judaism became its own independent school.
In March 2007, the University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute decided to merge. The Brandeis-Bardin Institute was an education and camping group in Simi Valley, California. Together, they formed the new American Jewish University.
The university has had several presidents. Simon Greenberg was president from 1947 to 1963. David Lieber followed him, from 1963 to 1992. Robert Wexler was president from 1992 to 2018. Dr. Jeffrey Herbst was president from 2018 to 2025. As of spring 2025, Jay Sanderson is the current president of AJU.
AJU Campuses and Buildings
The American Jewish University used to have a campus in Bel Air, California. This campus was called the Familian campus. It was sold to the Milken Community School in 2024. AJU still keeps its main offices there. It also runs a special Jewish bathhouse, called a mikvah, on site for a few more years.
The Familian campus had the Gindi Auditorium, a large theater with 475 seats. It also had the Ostrow Library. This library held over 120,000 books and digital resources. It had one of the biggest collections of Jewish art on the West Coast.
AJU's Brandeis-Bardin campus is in Simi Valley, California. This campus is home to Camp Alonim and the Brandeis Camp Institute Program. It also has a conference center and a building called the House of the Book. AJU also has a building in Beverly Hills. This is where its Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies is located.
Art Galleries at AJU
The Marjorie and Herman Platt Gallery and the Borstein Art Gallery at AJU have shown many important art exhibits. These exhibits include both Jewish and non-Jewish art. Famous artists like David Hockney and Frank Stella have had their work shown at the Platt Gallery.
The Smalley Sculpture Garden is also on campus. It has a collection of sculptures by well-known modern artists. These sculptures were put in place in 1981. The collection includes works by artists such as Beverly Pepper and George Rickey.
What You Can Study at AJU
American Jewish University offers special programs for degrees. These are through the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and the Masor School of Jewish Education and Leadership. In the past, the university offered in-person college programs at its Familian Campus. However, in October 2018, AJU announced it would close its undergraduate program.
Students at the American Jewish University used to have a very active student life. They were encouraged to join student groups. This helped make their college experience better. If a student wanted a group that didn't exist, they could start a new club. They could even get money for it if enough students supported it.
Student groups included the ASAJU (Student Government) and Hillel. There were also groups for Bio-Ethics, Honor Society, and Israel Action. Other groups focused on Model United Nations, Political Science, and Psychology. There was also a Sports Club and a group called Tikkun Olam, which focused on helping the community.
Academic Programs
The Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership
The Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership (MSJEL) offers different degrees. You can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education. You can also get a Master of Arts (MAEd) or a Doctorate (EdD) in Early Childhood Education Leadership.
Besides degrees, the school offers many other programs. These include special certificates and training for mentors. It also has classes for continuing education for teachers and other professionals.
In June 2024, AJU shared exciting news. Harold Masor, who leads the university's board, and his wife, Amy, gave $4.5 million to the school. Because of their generous gift, the School for Jewish Education and Leadership was renamed in their honor.
The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies is a graduate program at AJU. It trains students to become Conservative rabbis. After completing the program, students can become ordained rabbis. This means they are officially recognized by the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism.
The Ziegler School also offers a Master of Arts degree in Rabbinic Studies. This degree can be combined with other master's programs, like education or business. After AJU sold its Familian Campus in 2024, the Ziegler School moved. It is now in a new building in Beverly Hills, California. This is the university's last in-person degree program.
Continuing Education
AJU offers many classes through its Whizin Center for Continuing Education. These classes are often taken just for fun or to learn something new. They are not usually for a degree.
You can take classes in many subjects. These include language studies and Jewish studies. There are also classes in literature, fine arts, dance, and fitness. Other classes cover performance arts and many other topics.
One of its biggest programs was the annual Public Lecture Series. This event was held at Universal Studios' Gibson Amphitheater. Five to six thousand people would buy tickets to attend these talks. Famous speakers have included President Bill Clinton. Other speakers were Secretaries of State like Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell. Israeli Prime Ministers like Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres also spoke there.
Gallery
These images show AJU's former Bel Air campus.
Notable People at AJU
- Bradley Shavit Artson, Vice President and Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
- Maurice Ascalon, Former Faculty, School of Fine Arts, University of Judaism
- Michael Berenbaum, Director, Sigi Ziering Institute and Professor
- Aryeh Cohen, Professor of Rabbinic Literature
- Elliot Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Jewish Philosophy
- David Lieber, President Emeritus
- Robert Wexler, President Emeritus and Lou and Irma Colen Distinguished Service Lecturer In Bible
- Jeffrey Herbst, President Emeritus
See also
- List of colleges and universities in California
- List of Jewish universities and colleges in the United States
- History of the Jews in Los Angeles
