A Message from
President Dr. Robert Wexler

Although John McCain has already been anointed as the Republican nominee, we still do not know who will be carrying the Democratic banner. Nevertheless, I thought I would say a few words about the only really significant issue in any American campaign: How will the Jews vote? But before I venture an opinion on this subject, let me test your Jewish voting I.Q.

Question #1: Who was the last Republican to win a plurality of the Jewish vote?

Question #2: Since 1960, which Democrat won the highest percentage of the Jewish vote?

Question #3: Since 1960, which Democrat won the lowest percentage of the Jewish vote?

Question #4: According to recent surveys, what percentage of adult Jews identify as Liberals, Moderates or Conservatives?

Are you ready for the answers?

#1: Warren G. Harding in 1920 was the last Republican to win a plurality (43%) of the Jewish vote.

#2: Lyndon Johnson in 1964 won 90% of the Jewish vote when he ran against Barry Goldwater.

#3: Jimmy Carter in 1980 got only 45% of the Jewish vote when he ran against Ronald Reagan and John Anderson.

#4: According to a 2007 survey by the American Jewish Committee, 43% of Jewish respondents were self described liberals, 25% were conservative and 31% were moderates.

In general, Jews have been fairly consistent in their voting patterns with 78-80% of the vote going to Democratic candidates who are perceived as centrist, like Kennedy, Humphrey, Clinton and Gore, and 65-70% going to candidates who are considered more liberal, like McGovern and Dukakis.

Politicians tend to assume, incorrectly, that the U.S. relationship with Israel is the core issue that catalyzes Jewish voters. In poll after poll we see that the connection of younger Jews to Israel is (unfortunately) weakening, and there is little direct evidence that a candidate's approach to Israel materially affects the Jewish vote. Nevertheless, we do have within our community a highly committed pro-Israel segment that includes some very large political donors, and their support can be crucial to any Democratic campaign.

So what will all this mean for 2008? Should I take a chance and make a nonpartisan, semi-scholarly prediction? Tempting, but I think I'll take a pass. After all, if I get it wrong, I will have to give up political commentary altogether and go back to writing commentaries on the weekly Torah portion.

Gershom Sizomu,
First Abayudaya Ugandan Ordained
at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

Gershom Sizomu

In the first few minutes that you are with Gershom Sizomu, a 5th year student in the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, you realize that you are in the company of someone extraordinary. He is a spiritual leader from a distant world that has come to our realm to acquire knowledge for the betterment of his community; his very presence embodies the mythological hero's journey.

Gershom, as his father and grandfather before him, was and will return to being, the spiritual leader of the Jewish community in Uganda. He presides over their life-cycle ceremonies -- and yes Jewish Ugandan grooms do break the glass at their weddings - he conducts their religious services, and is the official word in their Torah study.

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Clinton vs. Obama
Words vs. Actions in Political Race

Sam Edelman, Ph.D, Dean of College of Arts & Science

The verbal jousting between Senators Clinton and Obama over the place of oratory versus action in the polis has been enlightening and a little frightening. As a professor of both Rhetoric and Jewish and Holocaust Studies for almost 37 years, I find myself reflecting long and hard on this conflict between two very accomplished politicians.

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AJU Hosts Prejudice Awareness Summit
For LAUSD Middle School Students 

On February 26th, AJU held its 10th annual Prejudice Awareness Summit (PAS), bringing the total number of LAUSD students invited to participate since the program began to more than 3,000.

Keynote speaker, Dr. William Gregory Sawyer, Vice President for Students Affairs California State University, Channel Islands and Psychology Department Chair, Dr. Sue Kapitanoff with AJU students.

AJU's PAS programs are under the direction of Psychology Chair, Dr. Sue Kapitanoff, and facilitated by AJU students who have completed a course in the Psychology of Prejudice, along with special training for the Summit. Programs consist of group exercises that encourage honest and open dialogue to help the diverse middle school students better understand the experience of prejudice and allow them to explore their own feelings. Also examined are the roots and damaging effects of prejudice.

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M.A.Ed Program Alumni
Recognized as Outstanding Educators

Samantha Pearline with one of her students

The Smotrich Family Foundation Award is presented to outstanding educators who have taught for two to four years in schools affiliated with the Bureau of Jewish Education, and who have demonstrated excellence in their work with children. Winners receive a prize of $1,000, and their schools receive an additional $500 in their honor. This year, both honorees are alumni of the M.A.Ed program at AJU.

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AJU Joins Tel Aviv/L.A.
Environmental Team

by Dr. Gabe Goldman,
Director of Experiential Education, AJU

"On this walk, in Franklin Canyon, participants collected oak galls (the source of ink used to write Torah scrolls for the past 3,000 years); learned to make kosher-for-Passover "bread” from tree bark; and witnessed a "hands-on Middrash” demonstrating how Abraham could have held a fire in his hands as the Torah claims he did when taking Isaac to sacrifice him.”

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Preparing Passover Dinner
The Fifth Question

If you need help with your Passover dinner, the kitchens of AJU are offering a solution -- delicious, ready to go, kosher Seder dinners. In addition, if you want to entertain a large group on the second night (Sunday) but are short space, you can enjoy your own private Seder at AJU. Whether it's at your home or at AJU, you, and your family and friends will be able to relax and enjoy a Seder with the goodness of a homemade meal. To order your Seder meals, call 310.440.1597, visit www.ajula.edu/passover, or e-mail passover@ajula.edu.

The People
vs Pinchas

University Events

APRIL

04/06: Symposium: Iran, Israel, U.S. in 2008, 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM

04/13: Alonim/Gan Alonim Open House, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

04/13: Palm Springs Follies, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

04/18 - 04/28: Ramah's Passover Institute/Ojai

04/28: Public Lecture, 7:30 PM, Bill Maher & Tony Snow

MAY

05/02 - 05/04: Founder's Weekend Brandeis Bardin Campus

05/06: University Women's Artist & Authors Luncheon Beverly Hilton, 10:00 AM Boutique

05/09: Queen Mary Art Deco Tour, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

05/18: Alonim/Gan Alonim Open House, 1:00 to 3:00 PM

05/18: Commencement, 3:00 PM

05/19: Ziegler Ordination Sinai Temple, 7:30PM

05/21: Dinner Honoring Stan Ross at B.H. Hotel

05/23 - 05/26: Ramah Family Weekend

5/30: Shabbat Dinner With Kirk Douglas, 7:15 PM

5/30 - 06/01: Marriage Weekend, Almost or Newly Married, Married 2 - 10 Years

More Continuing Education events

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Development Events

Platt Gallery Opening
The Natural World/Diverse Perspective, May 25 through July 20, 2008.

Introduction to Judaism
An educational journey for those interested in learning more about Jewish history, life and culture