American Jewish University - AJU

08/28/2026

🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of The Jewish Tomorrow Podcast!

Host Robert Richman sits down with Zac Barnett, lead singer of American Authors, to talk about growing up in a musical Reform Jewish family, Shabbat, Hebrew singalongs, self-awareness, AI, and the future of Jewish music.

And Zac has a bold idea: What if we brought some real energy back to Jewish music? 👀

From backstage reflections to a pitch for a Jewish version of Hillsong, this conversation goes in unexpected directions.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Jewish Tomorrow at AJU.EDU/2050 and join the conversation about what Jewish life, culture, and music can look like tomorrow

08/27/2026

Welcome Erika Martinez Rotolo, SHRM-CP Martinez Rotolo to AJU as our new Vice President of People and Culture!

With 15+ years of experience building strong workplace cultures, developing talent, and guiding organizations through change, Erika brings a people-first approach and a passion for helping teams thrive.

At AJU, she'll lead our people and culture strategy, supporting our faculty and staff as we continue building the Jewish future.

“I love bringing people together, translating vision into action and building the systems and partnerships that enable everyone to thrive,” Erika says.

Welcome to AJU, Erika! We're so glad you're here. 💙

08/26/2026

AJU mourns the passing of Annette Shapiro z”l, a pioneering Jewish communal leader, philanthropist, mentor, and treasured member of the AJU community, who passed away at the age of 96, this past Friday.

For more than 50 years, Annette and her beloved husband, Leonard, were deeply connected to AJU and its predecessor, the University of Judaism. Through their generosity, leadership, and involvement with the Moriah Society and University Women, they helped strengthen the University, its mission and helped cultivate the next generation of Jewish leaders.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Leonard, the entire Shapiro family, and all those who were fortunate to know, learn from, and be inspired by Annette.

May her memory be a blessing, and may her extraordinary example of leadership, generosity, and devotion to the Jewish future continue to inspire us for generations to come. 🕊️

08/14/2026

Did you catch AJU President Jay Sanderson’s recent appearance on The Five Questions podcast? 🎙️

In his discussion with host Daniel Levine, Rabbi and Jewish History Lecturer at UC Irvine, Jay discusses the future of Conservative movement, why younger Jews are more reluctant to affiliate with a specific denomination, and how we can get people involved again.

Check out the episode below! 👇

08/13/2026

Another amazing, fun, impactful summer at Camp Alonim has come to an end 💙☀️

Judaism came alive through song, dance, art, games, Shabbat, and much more. From meaningful activities to lasting connections, so many beautiful memories were made this summer that will stay with our campers forever!

08/05/2026

Have you seen The Odyssey? Did you notice the parallels between "Zeus's law" (Zenia) and the Jewish concept of welcoming guests (Hachnasat orchim)?

AJU's Ryan Torok sat down with Rabbi Brad Artson to explore the fascinating connections, and differences, between The Odyssey and Jewish tradition.

Read the article below and discover a Jewish lens to the movie and ancient epic poem:

In both, there's sacrifices, there's tribal identity, there's a concern for honor and dignity. And then there are these huge, glaring differences

08/04/2026

The future of Jewish education is growing. 📚✨

At AJU, we're continuing to expand opportunities for students with the launch of four new fully online, transferable general education courses through the Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership Extension Program this fall.

We're investing in accessible, flexible learning that helps students reach their academic goals while strengthening the future of Jewish education.

📅 Don’t wait - Registration closes August 13
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bxwT1M
Register here: https://bit.ly/4pYcsRA

Questions? Contact [email protected]

07/28/2026

SHIR AND DANIEL: A TU B’AV LOVE STORY

After commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples on Tisha B’Av - the 9th of Av, the Jewish calendar gives us Tu B’Av, a holiday celebrating love, joy, connection, and new beginnings!

In honor of Tu B’Av, read a love story below from one of our Miller Introduction to Judaism students and see how Judaism became part of their journey together...

After October 7th, Shir and Daniel found themselves pouring their hearts into hasbara (pro-Israel public relations efforts) on social media, using their voices to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people during one of the most painful and challenging periods in recent history. At the time, Shir was living in Arizona and Daniel was in San Francisco. Through their advocacy, they began coming across each other's posts, connecting through shared thoughts, personal stories, and a deep sense of responsibility to the Jewish people. What began as admiration for each other's courage and conviction slowly turned into a connection neither expected.

Continue reading their story below:
https://emma-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/959fb/45ce7bb629528f9a35805876cb867dae/Shir_and_Daniel_A_Tu_B_Av_Love_Story.pdf

07/24/2026

During this challenging time for the Jewish people, we, at American Jewish University, are committed to our own reimagination leading to communal transformation.

In Judaism, transformation is closely connected to a return - to a place, a people or a state of being always with an elevated new identity.

There are profound moments in Jewish history when our future becomes a question rather than assumption. Moments when the continuity of our people, our culture, and our shared destiny cannot be taken for granted.

We are living in one of those moments.

We recognize our almost eighty-year rich history and the impact of our community's legacy institutions.

We also recognize that AJU and our peers were built for a different era - one where identity was inherited; community was locally anchored, and leadership followed predictable paths. Today, identity must be chosen, community must be built, and leadership must be formed intentionally to ensure a dynamic, flourishing Jewish future.

American Jewish University is wholeheartedly open and courageous. We are committed to:

▷ Making Judaism feel deeply meaningful, personal and powerfully communal for the next generation(s).
▷ Inspiring and training leaders with a love of Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people who can shape culture and reimagine institutions.
▷ Using storytelling, new media, technology and go beyond the traditional classroom experience to transmit Jewish meaning and experience.
▷ Creating a global institution for the Jewish people that fully embraces and reaches beyond our 2700-acre Brandeis-Bardin campus.

We cannot do this essential work without you. Will you join us DONATE -> https://aju.edu/giving/

Shabbat Shalom,

Jay Sanderson
President and CEO
American Jewish University

07/21/2026

What does it mean to carry memory forward?

A new review highlights "The Survivor in a Tuxedo: Tracing Elie Wiesel", a powerful new documentary exploring Wiesel's life, legacy, and enduring moral voice.

AJU Distinguished Professor and Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, Dr. Michael Berenbaum, served on the film as executive producer, historical consultant, and interviewee, offering his insight into Wiesel's extraordinary impact on Holocaust remembrance, Jewish identity, and human responsibility.

We're proud to celebrate Dr. Berenbaum's contribution to this important film. Read the review below:

The Survivor in a Tuxedo, Tracing Elie Wiesel is a new documentary, directed by David Fisher, a veteran documentary filmmaker, noted for hi...