On November 13th, over 250 people attend the Academy's 10th Anniversary Celebration held at The Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA. The event honored AJRCA President and Dean of the Rabbinical and Chaplaincy Schools, Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, PhD, and Jacob Zighelboim, MD, the Chairman of AJRCA's Board of Directors. Both Rabbi Gottlieb and Dr. Zighelboim gave heartfelt remarks upon receiving their awards. In accepting the "AJRCA Visionary Award," Rabbi Gottlieb said "Leading the Academy for Jewish Religion, California is tremendously gratifying on so many levels. My dear colleagues, the members of our faculty, are among the best congregational clergy and scholars teaching today. Our dynamic, motivated and accomplished students bring an intellect and dedication to serving the Jewish people that is inspiring. And finally, my heart is filled with joy and pride when I see how our talented and committed alumni are truly transforming the Jewish communities in which they serve." Receiving the "AJRCA Founders Award," Dr. Zighelboim said "While I am being recognized by the Academy, it is I who should recognize the Academy. The Academy for Jewish Religion, California is truly engaged in sacred work and it is both a privilege and honor to be associated with the passionate and dynamic group of students, faculty, alums, administrators, and board members working together in an environment that is inclusive, respectful, open to all Jews, and sustained by the deep wisdoms and ethical principles underlying our Jewish tradition." The evening also featured "The Many Voices of the Cantor," a concert with AJRCA students and alumni as well as Cantor Perryne Anker and Cantor Nathan Lam, Associate Dean and Dean (respectively) of the Academy's Cantorial School. The event was co-chaired by AJRCA alums, Rabbi Laura Owens, '08, Co-Rabbi of Congregation B'nai Horin - Children of Freedom, and Rabbi Lynn Brody Slome, '05, the Academy's Associate Dean of Internships and Placement. The event also included the premiere of a new video detailing the major impact that AJRCA alumni are making on the Jewish communities in which they serve. (Click here to view the video)

On September 1, 2011, a Faculty Training was held at Claremont School of Theology (CST) for faculty members teaching in the context of the AJRCA Interreligious Studies Project sponsored by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. (In June 2011, the Foundation awarded the Academy a three-year $100,000 "Cutting Edge" grant to fund that project.) Professor Najeeba Sayeed-Miller, a specialist in mediation and conflict resolution from CST, led the September training for AJRCA and CST faculty who teach core courses in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Topics included Perceptions of Interreligious Dialogue; Constructing an Interreligious Syllabus; the Dialogic Classroom; and Constructivist Pedagogy. Faculty discussed their own courses, possible collaborative options, and issues of common concern in helping students adjust to an interreligious learning environment. Over the course of the year, the faculty will study together b'chevruta to further their common understanding and develop a deeper foundation for future collaboration.  

Academy Appoints New Alumni Liaison 

Providing collegial support between the graduates of the Academy's Rabbinical, Cantorial, and Chaplaincy schools, the AJRCA Alumni Association also strives to provide an enriching lifelong connection between alumni and the Academy and to further the excellence of the Academy by fostering an enduring and mutually beneficial relationship. To date, 82 men and women have been ordained or graduated from AJRCA as rabbis, cantors, and chaplains. In order to better serve the needs of these alumni as well as maintain closer contact with them, the Academy has recently announced that AJRCA Director of Admissions, Janet L. Barzilay, JD, will now also assume the position of Alumni Liaison. In this capacity, Mrs. Barzilay will be the "point person" for alumni to contact with regard to job-related news, the announcement of professional achievements/honors, and any questions/concerns they have related to the Academy. In commenting on the appointment, AJRCA President, Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, PhD said, "Janet's professionalism as well as her warm and engaging personality makes her the ideal representative to our valued alumni." AJRCA Alumni Association President, Rabbi Malka Mittelman, '06 concurred adding that "This appointment is a very strong and positive move on the part of the Academy. The Alumni Association looks forward to working with Janet and, in the process, strengthening the bonds between the Academy and its alumni."

The Rabbinical School is pleased to welcome new faculty member, Rabbi Yehuda Hausman as well as Reb Mimi Feigelson who is returning to the AJRCA faculty after several years away. Rabbi Hausman received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School in New York and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brandeis University. He has taught at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University as well as Milken Community High School. Rabbi Hausman is teaching the course "Chumash with Rashi." Reb Mimi Feigelson is an Israeli orthodox rabbi and scholar of Chassidic Thought. She was recruited in 2001 to serve as the Mashpi'ah Ruchanit (spiritual mentor) and Lecturer of Rabbinic Literature and Chassidic Thought at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. In addition to her work at the AJU she is a frequent guest lecturer at the local high schools and synagogues of Los Angeles and Southern California. She is Scholar-in-Residence in many Jewish communities and organizations throughout the USA and has taught internationally as well. Reb Feigelson is teaching the course "Theology of Masechet Brachot."  

While the dates have not yet been confirmed, the Cantorial School will be holding two cantorial shiurim (lessons) in the coming months, one in the winter and one in Spring 2012. A combination of student-led performances and discussion, the shiurim focus on a theme, prayer or holiday and the different melodies associated with them. As AJRCA Associate Dean, Cantor Perryne Anker noted "Other than cantors, most people don't realize the work that goes into choosing a specific setting (composition). With these shiurim, our students and guests are exposed to the wealth of settings that are available for each prayer." As in the past, the cantorial shiurim will be open to AJRCA faculty, students and Board members as well as the general public.