Open House at The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Draws Many 

One of the wonderful perks of being a member of the Pacific Southwest (PSW) region has been the close connection with the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. The Ziegler School is one of the schools at American Jewish University (AJU), formerly known as the University of Judaism. For many years, we had a PSW office at AJU. We walked through the building, saw students and teachers, had lunch with them in the cafeteria, and attended the yearly ordinations. Students would stop at our office for snacks, as we always had a jar of goodies. They recognized the yearly Torah Fund pin and would thank us for supporting them. It was a very special and meaningful relationship. 

This past year when AJU sold their Bel Air building, the Ziegler School needed a new home. They found a bright space in Los Angeles filled with joy! Women’s League donated a beautiful ner tamid (eternal light) that adds light and helps strengthen our connection to the new location.   

Still, we recognized that we needed to establish a personal connection to the new space. 

The Ziegler School held a PSW open house on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and members came to see the new space and meet the students. PSW region president Gina Seeman worked with Debbi Kaner Goldich (PSW region member and chair of the Ziegler board) to plan a special event for PSW members. The day was even more special as Julia Loeb, Women’s League’s international president, came to the event and then visited sisterhood affiliates from the San Fernando Valley to San Diego. 

Over 25 women enjoyed a delicious brunch at the home of PSW member Michele Gabbai and then walked over to the Ziegler School. We were warmly greeted by Ziegler leadership: Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, and Rabbi Samuel Rosenbaum. They gave us a tour of the school including the classrooms, library, offices, and beit midrash (place of study), pointing out the beautiful ner tamid donated by Women’s League. They described the move to their new location, which has already attracted potential students. They updated us about their newly restructured curriculum with a four-year rabbinic program and an innovative lower tuition structure. We also learned about ongoing important outreach to find new potential students. Julia Loeb gave each rabbi a new Torah Fund pin, which they promptly put on, and they thanked us for our support. 

It was a special day for all who attended, and Women’s League looks forward to continuing the fruitful relationship with the Ziegler School.