Miller Introduction to Judaism Program

The Louis and Judith Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an educational institute based at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California. It has, since its founding in 1986, helped students explore their Jewish roots or prepare for conversion to Judaism.[1] Based primarily in Los Angeles, and throughout the United States, the Miller Program is available to people of any backgrounds find a home in the Jewish community.[2][3][4][5]

The program is a comprehensive course that spans over 18 weeks and aims to equip participants with knowledge, practical skills, and insightful perspectives on Jewish culture. The program is led by a rabbi providing guidance to each individual, as they explore the history, present, and future of Judaism.[6][7] The Miller Program offers Shabbat services and dinners, a support group, and ongoing programming for alumni.

The Miller Program is under the direction of Rabbi Adam Greenwald.[8] Rabbi Greenwald is a "Rabbis Without Borders" Fellow with Clal, the Center for Learning and Leadership[9] and is a recipient of the Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize in Jewish Education.[10] Before coming to AJU and the Intro Program, Rabbi Greenwald served as the Revson Rabbinic Fellow of IKAR. Supervision of the Intro Program is provided by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and Vice President of the AJU.[11]

The program is endorsed by the Rabbinical Assembly of America, and by other clergy.[12] Conversions performed under the auspices of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program are recognized by the State of Israel for purposes of making Aliyah.[13][2]

  1. ^ Gray, Beverly (1 June 2006). "Jews-by-Choice: A Look 10 Years Later". Jewish Journal. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b Rogers, Paul (4 October 2012). "Education Guide– Best of LA Education 10/4 : Best Of L.A. Classes". LA Weekly. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  3. ^ Leider, Rabbi Susan (November–December 2010). "The Louis & Judith Miller Introduction to Judaism Program Comes to TBA in January 2011!" (PDF). Kol Ha'am. Los Angeles, California: Temple Beth Am. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  4. ^ Benson, Rabbi Aaron (31 October 2012). "Introducing You to Introduction to Judaism". Rabbi Aaron Benson. Los Angeles, CA: Blogspot. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Schedules & Locations". Los Angeles, California: American Jewish University. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Course Outline". Los Angeles, California: American Jewish University. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Intro to Judaism". Maas Center @ AJU. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  8. ^ "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis". Los Angeles, California: Forward. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Adam Greenwald". Rabbis Without Borders. 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-06-12.
  10. ^ "Five Emerging Jewish Educators Receive 2016 Pomegranate Prize – Jeducation World". jeducationworld.com. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-12.
  11. ^ "Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL, Rabbi". Los Angeles, California: American Jewish University. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Introduction To Judaism". American Jewish University. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  13. ^ Susskind Goldberg, Rabbi Monique (2009). "REFORM OR CONSERVATIVE CONVERSION". Ask the Rabbi. Jerusalem, Israel: Schechter Institute. Archived from the original on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2013.