Conversion 101

Published on May 8, 2013

Conversion to Judaism is not easy. It requires a change in beliefs, actions and lifestyle. It involves extensive study, practice, a leap of faith, a shift in perception and some sacrifice.

Becoming Jewish: Tales from the Mikveh

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on May 8, 2013

Late on a recent Wednesday afternoon, Judith Golden and Suzanne Rosenthal perched at their desks in a small room in the depths of American Jewish University (AJU).

Mayoral candidates Greuel, Garcetti go head to head

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 18, 2013

In the first debate between the two remaining Los Angeles mayoral candidates, City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilman Eric Garcetti attempted to convince voters there are significant differences between them, even as the two veteran politicians took identical positions on one issue after another.

The Holy Job Interview

By Jeremy Fine
Published on February 10, 2013

Bill Kristol and his Emergency, Bigotry in AJU Ad?

Published on February 7, 2013

Congratulations to Rob Eshman on a superb piece explaining clearly why Bill Kristol and his Emergency Committee for Israel (ECI) not only do not help Israel, but are harmful to her interests (“Emergency?” Feb. 1). His thoughtful explanation is comprehensive, clear and completely accurate. In fact, I have spoken with a number of Israeli leaders across the political spectrum who have expressed to me exactly what Eshman stated in his thoughtful piece.

Preserving Auschwitz?

By Ryan E. Smith
Published on January 30, 2013

For many, the everlasting power of Auschwitz is understood only by visiting the infamous death camp and walking the grounds where more than 1 million people were killed during the Holocaust.

Nov. 29 and Palestinian Statehood

By Judea Pearl
Published on December 5, 2012

Even as the sound of “Hatikvah” reverberated in the auditorium of the American Jewish University, where Los Angeles commemorated the 65th anniversary of the historic United Nations vote of Nov. 29, 1947, another U.N. vote was casting its shadows on our consciousness — the vote for Palestinian statehood, on Nov. 29, 2012.

The defendant: Moses

Published on November 28, 2012

Add another feather to Erwin Chemerinsky’s cap. On Nov. 18, the great legal mind — founding dean of the University of California, Irvine, School of Law and former commentator for the O.J. Simpson trial — got Moses off on two counts: murder and flight to avoid prosecution.

Home after Birthright

Published on November 28, 2012

Moledet means “homeland” in Hebrew, and it’s no coincidence that it’s been chosen as the name of a pilot program aimed at maintaining the passion of recent Los Angeles Birthright alumni following their return home from Israel.

Camp Alonim receives grant from JCamp180

By Ryan Torok
Published on November 15, 2012

JCamp180, a project of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that aims to enhance long-term effectiveness in Jewish nonprofit overnight camps, has announced that it will begin working with Camp Alonim, one of Southern California’s largest Jewish overnight camps.

AJC poll shows 65 percent of Jews supporting Obama

Published on September 27, 2012

A new American Jewish Committee poll found 65 percent of Jews nationwide planning to vote for President Obama versus 24 percent for Mitt Romney, with another 10 percent undecided.

Teachers learn lessons on Holocaust, genocide

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 21, 2012

Speaking on the Holocaust and 20th century genocides, Mark Gudgel, executive director of the Educators’ Institute for Human Rights, began his March 12 lecture at American Jewish University (AJU) with a declaration.

Shul Business

By Ryan E. Smith
Published on March 15, 2012

No one taught Rabbi Ahud Sela how to read a budget when he was in the seminary. Talmud and pastoral counseling took precedence over the basics of planned giving.

Beyond labels, raising autistic son yields treasure

By Ryan E. Smith
Published on February 1, 2012

Jews and people with autism have a lot in common, if you ask Ezra Fields-Meyer. As an autistic young man, he knows he has a good memory and likes to repeat things. As a Jew, he’s noticed similar qualities, which he pointed out during his bar mitzvah speech a few years ago.

Promoting men’s Jewish engagement

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on January 4, 2012

Rabbi Charles Simon, a recent visiting lecturer at American Jewish University (AJU), asked rabbinical students how they would deal with a future intermarriage. One young rabbi-to-be said he’d welcome the couple … then tell them that, unfortunately, he couldn’t marry them.

AJU’s Robert Wexler looks ahead

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 3, 2011

Robert Wexler, president of American Jewish University (AJU), eschews the labels of Judaism’s mainstream denominations. “I’m Jewish,” Wexler said last week. “Religious.”

Authors to discuss terrorism at AJU

By Ryan Torok
Published on April 26, 2011

Authors Thanassis Cambanis, Joel Chasnoff and Mordechai Dzikansky will present on-the-ground perspectives of terrorism in Israel and the Middle East when they appear together next week during a panel discussion, “Terrorism and the Middle East,” at American Jewish University.

AJU women to honor filmmaker Mazursky

By Tom Tugend
Published on April 26, 2011

Filmmaker Paul Mazursky will be honored with the Burning Bush Award by the University Women of the American Jewish University (AJU) at the group’s author-artist luncheon on May 3. Sharing the stage at the Beverly Hills Hotel will be Marion Goldenfeld, who will receive the Woman of Achievement Award.

Dancing Rabbis will cha-cha for charity

Published on March 29, 2011

Rabbi Elliot Dorff twirls across the dance floor. His beautiful young partner reaches out her hand, and together they do a quick step and spin into each other’s arms. No, this is not a comedic doodle on the page of a bored rabbinic student’s notebook; it’s a rehearsal for “Dancing With the Rabbis.” At 6 p.m. April 3, Dorff will be stepping on stage in the Gindi Auditorium at American Jewish University (AJU) to compete with four of his fellow clergy members for the coveted mirror-ball trophy, and he wants to win.

Hitchens, Wolpe, Harris, Artson and the Afterlife [EXCERPTS & VIDEO]

By Rob Eshman
Published on February 22, 2011

American Jewish University Dedicates New Synagogue

Published on June 1, 2010

As late-afternoon sun poured over the Santa Monica Mountains and through the windows of an airy chapel at American Jewish University (AJU), Annette and Leonard Shapiro dedicated the David Alan Shapiro Memorial Synagogue Center in honor of their son, David, who died from diabetes 10 years ago.

Clinton, Bush to Appear Together During 2010 AJU Lecture Series

By JewishJournal.com
Published on August 11, 2009

Two former presidents will share the stage when American Jewish University’s (AJU) Public Lecture Series returns in early 2010. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are scheduled to appear together at Universal’s Gibson Amphitheatre on Feb. 22, the university announced Monday.

L.A.’s Jewish Community Library Likely to Move

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on March 15, 2009

Briefs: Jews, Muslims join to combat Islamophobia and anti-Semitism; Elie Wiesel's 'Night' now in Farsi

Published on November 26, 2008

On Nov. 17, some 20 devout Muslims from the King Fahad Mosque bowed and prostrated themselves as they recited the Isha, or night prayer, at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, with about 80 Jews watching the unfamiliar ritual. At the same time, in another room of the Reform temple, Jewish congregants participated in the Ma'ariv evening prayer, watched respectfully by a group of Muslims.

If I had just one Jewish book to read . . . .

By Anita K. Kantrowitz
Published on November 7, 2008

The Jewish Journal asked several authors appearing at Sunday's Celebration of Jewish Books to answer a question that, at least for writers, has existential overtones: "If you were stranded on a deserted island, what Jewish book would you want to have with you, and why?"

Pelosi pilloried, garden party for Israeli art and artists

By Danielle Berrin
Published on August 21, 2008

Pelosi, on a break from her post as the first female Speaker of the House, landed at American Jewish University (AJU) on Aug. 11 to promote her new book, "Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters" (Doubleay). Faced with an acrimonious audience, one of Congress's most outspoken critics of the Bush administration was lambasted for opposing impeachment proceedings against the president

Could Tony Blair be the one?

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 17, 2008

There was one big question left unanswered when Tony Blair spoke last Monday evening at the opening of American Jewish University's (AJU) 2007 lecture series.