A Message from
President Dr. Robert Wexler

One of the best parts of being AJU president is my daily interaction with our supporters. Most often this takes the form of a lunch meeting, and, depending on who my "date" is, the conversations can vary widely in terms of topic. At least, that is the way it used to be, but not any more! Now, no matter whom I meet, we quickly come around to the subject of the economy and, more specifically, the painful episode of Bernard Madoff. Everyone wants to talk about it. My lunch partners may not constitute a scientific sampling, but their reactions to the scandal are consistent and can be summarized in three words: incredulity, disgust, and embarrassment.

They are incredulous that any human being could have had the temerity to deceive his friends day after day for such a long period of time. They are disgusted by the damage this man caused, not only to individuals but also to so many charitable institutions, including several within the Jewish community. And frankly, they are embarrassed that he is Jewish. Some are even concerned that Madoff's actions and obvious Jewish identity may trigger an antisemitic backlash here in the U.S.

Actually, I find the vehemence of these reactions very reassuring. It is nice to know that so many Jewish business and professional leaders I know care so deeply about the good name of the Jewish community. Even more encouraging is the fact that they still equate living Jewishly with living ethically.

Soon, I hope, my lunch conversations will return to normal. In the meantime, our community must do whatever it can to ensure that this unhappy drama does not reoccur. At AJU, we can contribute to this process by teaching our own students to recognize their responsibilities as future Jewish leaders and by reinforcing the time honored message that every Jew is by definition a representative of the Jewish ethical tradition.

Preparing our new Students for AJU

Our latest group of students has arrived and been greeted with meals, tours, orientations, presentations and demonstrations. Most of these young people are transfer students from various community colleges, but there are freshmen in the group as well. So how does a university go about welcoming and preparing new students for the shift in two days? [ read more ]

Guidance and College Counselors Visit AJU

At this year's AJU Counselor Experience (ACE), a conference for Guidance/College Counselors from Jewish high schools across North America, attendees took the opportunity to experience some of the best of American Jewish University. From February 22-25, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions led these counselors on a journey that delved into the richness of both the Familian and Brandeis-Bardin campuses. [ read more ]

Fingerhut School Student
Wins Prestigious Award

Malka Clement, a student in the Working Professionals' Program at AJU's Fingerhut School of Education, was one of four recipients of the prestigious 2008 Milken Jewish Educator Awards.

Each year, The Milken Family Foundation, in cooperation with the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles, gives public recognition and financial awards to teachers, administrators and other education professionals who have made significant contributions to excellence in education in day schools affiliated with the Bureau of Jewish Education.   [ read more ]

MBA Program Presents Annual Colloquium

Every year the Lieber School of Graduate Studies offers a colloquium of graduate programs in nonprofit management which they open to students, alumni and the public. For ten Wednesday evenings between January 28 and May 6, 2009 different professionals speak about various business issues.  [ read more ]

Celebration at Camp Alonim

Jewish camping has been found to be one of the most effective methods of Jewish education, ensuring a Jewish identity in adulthood. AJU's Camp Alonim strives to spark a love for Jewish culture, tradition and community in our campers by exposing them to a multitude of ways to be Jewish. [ read more ]

Winner Announced

AJU is proud to announce that Jessica Khankhanian is the winner of the writing contest sponsored by AJU's Communications Department. When told that she won the $500 prize, the senior bioethics major responded, "I really enjoyed the opportunity to be creative and write something that reflected my Jewish identity. It's important to remember your roots and background because it reminds you of who you are." [ read more ]

Rudy Giuliani

Monday, March 23^rd 7:30PM

University Events

MARCH

16^th: Book Club, 7:30PM

19^th & 26^th:  Professor Zev Garber, Reflections on the Jewish Jesus, 10:30AM to 12:00PM

22^nd: Jewish L.A. Tour, 9:00AM - 3:30PM

29^th: Tour de Camp, 12:30PM

APRIL

27^th: Reno, Ashcroft & Gonzales, 7:30PM

30^th: Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, 7:30PM

More Continuing Education events

Homosexuality & the Bible

Support AJU

Platt Gallery Opening
Jewish Women Artists' Network Exhibit,
February 22^nd - April 5^th, 2009.

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

Passover Catering 2009

You can order now to enjoy gourmet kosher delicacies prepared by our catering staff and available for pick up at our Familian Campus. Our all-inclusive Seder includes everything from your Seder plate fixings, soup, brisket, to macaroons and more. Our a la carte menu features soup, matzah balls, multiple entrees, tasty side dishes and more that you can enjoy at your Seders and throughout the Passover week.

To order, visit www.ajula.edu/passover, email us at Passover@ajula.edu or call (310) 440-1507..