American Jewish University: Reimagining Jewish Education, Leadership, and Community

American Jewish University (AJU) has reinvented itself from a traditional liberal arts college into a forward-looking, hybrid “living laboratory” for Jewish life, focused on leadership training, digital learning, and immersive, land-based experiences.

Based in Los Angeles with a global online reach, AJU now operates through graduate and community programs delivered digitally or in hybrid formats, alongside the expansive Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, which anchors experiential education through camps, retreats, and conferences.

Its academic strengths include rabbinic training at the Ziegler School, educator and communal leadership development at the Masor School, and nonprofit-focused business education through SEMSI, complemented by widely influential community programs like the Miller Introduction to Judaism. With initiatives such as the 2050 Institute and a strong emphasis on accessibility, innovation, and Jewish continuity, AJU positions itself as a key architect of the Jewish future rather than a conventional university.

Reimagining the Jewish Future: A Comprehensive Guide to American Jewish University

American Jewish University (AJU) stands at a pivotal moment in its history. Far more than a traditional degree-granting institution, AJU has transformed into a hybrid “living laboratory” for Jewish life. By shedding the constraints of a conventional liberal arts college model, it has refocused its mission on three pillars: professional leadership training, innovative digital engagement, and immersive, land-based Jewish experiences.

Headquartered in Los Angeles with a global digital footprint, AJU is building a bridge between ancient wisdom and the specific, often urgent, needs of the modern world.

The Strategic Pivot: A University for the 21st Century

In a bold move to address the changing landscape of higher education, AJU has transitioned away from its former Familian Campus in Bel Air. The university now operates through a dynamic dual-model:

• Digital & Hybrid Learning: Graduate schools and community classes have moved largely online or to hybrid formats to reach learners worldwide.
• The Brandeis-Bardin Campus: A massive 2,700-acre center in Simi Valley that serves as the physical heart of the university, hosting retreats, camps, and conferences.
• The 2050 Institute: Launched in 2025 under the leadership of President Jay Sanderson, this new think tank is designed to “disrupt” conventional Jewish communal planning. It gathers thinkers, philanthropists, and creators to solve long-term challenges—like affordability and engagement—ensuring a vibrant Jewish community for the next generation.

Academic Centers of Excellence

1. The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

• Mission: To ordain Conservative rabbis who blend academic rigor with spiritual warmth.
• New Location & Structure: Now based in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood (the heart of LA’s Jewish community), the school has streamlined its curriculum to a four-year program to reduce student debt and accelerate entry into the field.
• Curriculum Highlights:
  • Years 1-3: Intensive study of Talmud, Halakhah (Jewish law), and Tanakh, paired with pastoral counseling training.
  • Residency Year: The final year is a paid residency, allowing students to work in synagogues, schools, or hospitals while finishing their studies—bridging the gap between theory and practice.
  • Philosophy: The school prides itself on an “unprecedented blend” of open academic inquiry and deep traditional commitment, producing rabbis who can navigate complex modern ethical issues.

2. The Masor School of Jewish Education and Leadership

This school addresses the critical shortage of qualified educators in the Jewish world.

• Core Degrees:
  • MAEd in Early Childhood Education (ECE): A two-year program focusing on child development through a Jewish lens.
  • MAEd in Early Childhood Special Education and Inclusion: A pioneering degree designed to ensure Jewish spaces are accessible to children with diverse learning needs.
  • Ed.D. in Jewish Education and Communal Leadership: A doctoral program for senior leaders looking to drive systemic change in Jewish organizations.
• For Working Professionals: The school offers “Extension Courses” and certificates (e.g., Teacher Coaching and Mentoring) for educators who want to upskill without committing to a full degree.

3. School of Enterprise Management and Social Impact (SEMSI)

• The MBA in Nonprofit Management: This program is specifically designed for the “social entrepreneur.” Unlike a standard MBA, it focuses on the unique financial, ethical, and operational challenges of running mission-driven organizations.
• Curriculum: Courses cover Social Entrepreneurship, Fundraising & Grant Writing, and Nonprofit Financial Management, preparing graduates to lead federations, foundations, and NGOs.

Community & Digital Engagement

The Maas Center for Jewish Journeys

Home to the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, this is arguably AJU’s most famous public offering.

• The Program: An 18-week course that covers history, holidays, and practice. It is the gold standard for those converting to Judaism, interfaith couples, or Jews reconnecting with their heritage.
• Reach: Classes are available online (globally) and in-person in select cities, making Judaism accessible to thousands of people who might otherwise feel intimidated by walking into a synagogue.

Jewish Learning Experience (JLE)

Replacing traditional undergraduate models, the JLE offers for-credit college courses to high school students.

• Concept: Teens can take rigorous courses like Introduction to Jewish Biblical Texts or Jewish Ethics to earn university credit before they even graduate high school.
• Goal: To deepen the intellectual Jewish identity of young adults during their formative years.

Whizin Center for Continuing Education

For the lifelong learner, this center offers non-credit adult education. Current and past offerings include certificate programs in leadership and diverse lectures on politics, literature, and the arts, often featuring high-profile guest speakers.

The Brandeis-Bardin Campus: Land, Spirit, and Community

Located in Simi Valley, this campus is the largest parcel of Jewish-owned land outside of Israel. It represents the “experiential” side of AJU’s mission.

• Camp Alonim: A summer camp where “Jewish” is a verb. Through dance, song, and nature, campers from all backgrounds (including many “Jew-ish” families) build a joyful association with their heritage.
• Ziering Brandeis Collegiate Institute (BCI): An iconic immersive retreat for adults ages 20-29. Participants spend weeks on the ranch engaging in arts, manual labor, and text study, often describing it as a life-changing reset for their Jewish identity.
• Retreat Center: The campus serves as a neutral gathering ground for Jewish organizations of all denominations to hold conferences, shabbatons, and leadership summits.

Why AJU Matters Today

American Jewish University has successfully pivoted from being “just another college” to becoming a specialized engine for Jewish continuity. By training the rabbis who will lead congregations, the educators who will teach children, and the converts who will revitalize communities, AJU is actively building the infrastructure of the Jewish future.

Discover More:

• Website: www.aju.edu
• Admissions: www.aju.edu/admissions
• Miller Intro Program: www.aju.edu/miller-intro-judaism-program

FAQs about American Jewish University

What is American Jewish University (AJU)?
American Jewish University is a Los Angeles–based institution focused on Jewish leadership, education, and community engagement through graduate programs, digital learning, and immersive experiences.

Is AJU a traditional undergraduate college?
No. AJU has moved away from a traditional undergraduate liberal arts model and now focuses on graduate education, professional training, and community learning.

Where is AJU located?
AJU is headquartered in Los Angeles, with programs offered globally online and a major physical campus at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, California.

What is the Brandeis-Bardin Campus?
It is a 2,700-acre experiential education center hosting camps, retreats, conferences, and immersive Jewish programs for youth and adults.

What academic programs does AJU offer?
AJU offers graduate degrees in rabbinic studies, Jewish education, nonprofit management, social impact, and early childhood education, along with certificates and extension courses.

What is the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies?
The Ziegler School ordains Conservative rabbis through a streamlined four-year program combining rigorous textual study, pastoral training, and a paid residency year.

What is the Masor School of Jewish Education and Leadership?
Masor trains Jewish educators and communal leaders through master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs, with a strong focus on early childhood education and inclusion.

What is SEMSI at AJU?
The School of Enterprise Management and Social Impact offers an MBA in Nonprofit Management designed for leaders of mission-driven and social-impact organizations.

What is the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program?
It is an 18-week course for conversion candidates, interfaith families, and seekers, offered both online and in person, and widely regarded as a gold standard program.

Does AJU offer online learning?
Yes. Most AJU programs are available in online or hybrid formats, allowing students and learners from around the world to participate.

What is the 2050 Institute?
Launched in 2025, the 2050 Institute is a think tank that brings together leaders and innovators to address long-term challenges facing Jewish life and community.

Who typically attends AJU programs?
AJU serves rabbis-in-training, educators, nonprofit professionals, adult learners, high school students seeking college credit, and individuals exploring or returning to Judaism.

Why is AJU considered innovative?
AJU integrates academic rigor, digital access, experiential learning, and real-world leadership training to actively shape the future of Jewish life rather than simply study it.