The Circuit: Jewish Vocational Services 80th Anniversary, Richard Michael Powell inducted into HUC-JIR board of governors

By Adam Wills
Published on May 10, 2011

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) celebrated its 80th anniversary on Jan. 29 with a gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel to honor its past board presidents. Among the 500 guests were Stanley Dashew, who received the agency’s Tzedakah Award, and emcee Keith Erickson, a former L.A. Laker and longtime CBS sports broadcaster. Thirteen board presidents attended the event as well as family members representing JVS board presidents who had passed away.

Survey aims to measure the changing Jewish vote

Published on March 8, 2011

An online Jewish voter survey has been launched to measure the changing Jewish vote and Jewish political interests. The 2011 Jewish Voter Survey, for Jewish voters aged 18 and over, is being conducted by Steven Windmueller, the Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Service at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.

Debbie Friedman honored by peers

By Rachel Heller
Published on February 8, 2011

The music of Debbie Friedman energized generations of Jews across denomination lines. This weekend, a memorial concert to be held in the late singer-songwriter’s honor will attempt to do the same through a celebration of Friedman’s popular tunes.

Glenn Beck under fire over George Soros comments

Published on November 16, 2010

Fox News provocateur Glenn Beck spent spent several days taking aim at billionaire businessman and philanthropist George Soros, but so far -- at least within Jewish circles -- the barrage appears to be backfiring.

Seminaries getting $12 million boost to train educators

Published on September 8, 2009

Three Jewish seminaries across the denominational spectrum will receive a total of $12 million to help train new Jewish educators.

Reform College Cuts Might Lead to Campus Closures

Published on April 23, 2009

Due to unprecedented financial distress, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is poised to make deep cuts to its programming that might include the closure of two of its three U.S. campuses. HUC-JIR has campuses in Los Angeles, Cincinnati and New York, as well as a fourth location in Jerusalem, which annually cost about $40 million to operate.

Reform rabbinical school teaches students to reach out to HIV/AIDS patients

By Nick Street
Published on June 5, 2008

HIV/AIDS education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) means "making sure rabbinical students don't leave campus before they hone their skills to help people in need," said Michele Prince, director of the Kalsman Institute of Judaism and Health at HUC-JIR.

Hebrew Union College considers expansion

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on January 17, 2008

From high above, the southeast corner of Hoover and 32nd streets near downtown would appear to be some of the only developable land between the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Staples Center -- a parking lot, a large field used by the USC women's soccer team and a 1970s-era academic building not nearly big enough for its occupant, the L.A. branch of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).

70s rebel Debbie Friedman takes job at cantorial school

Published on July 15, 2007

When singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman steps in front of the class at the Reform movement’s cantorial school this fall, she’ll be crossing more than a physical threshold.

Embezzlement Heads for Court

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 16, 2000

The former fiscal administrator for the Los Angeles campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion has been arrested and charged with embezzling $1.179 million from the Reform movement's seminary.
Jean M. Thorbourn, 61, of Sherman Oaks, forged numerous checks between 1989 and 1997, using a dean's signature stamp, and apparently applied a considerable part of the money to finance production of independent films, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

Putting Heart

By Beverly Gray
Published on May 7, 1998

The rabbis-in-training were making the rounds at UCLA Medical Center. They stopped at bedsides to chat with patients, to inquire about their needs, to offer prayer and consolation. Then, unexpectedly, the sight of wires, tubes and surgical dressings took its toll. One student rabbi fainted.