Guide to the Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs Series, American Jewish University Archives (Institutional Records)

Prepared by Sivan Siman-Tov, American Jewish University
Ostrow Library and University Archives, American Jewish University
Bel and Jack M. Ostrow Library
15600 Mulholland Dr.
Bel-Air. California 90077
310-440-1238
URL: http://library.aju.edu/
Archives URL: http://cdm16061.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15008coll11
E-mail: library@aju.edu
E-mail: sivanst3@gmail.com
© 2014
All rights reserved.

Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs Series, American Jewish University Archives (Institutional Records)

Collection number: CaLaAJUL1_24

American Jewish University

Bel-Air, CA 90077
Date Completed:
2014
Encoded by:
American Jewish University Archives
© 2014. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Identifier/Call Number: CaLaAJUL1_24
Title: Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs Series, American Jewish University Archives (Institutional Records)
Date (inclusive): 1947-2014 inclusive
Collector: American Jewish University; University of Judaism; Brandeis-Bardin Institute (Brandeis, Simi Valley, Calif.)
Repository: University Archives and Ostrow Library, American Jewish University

15600 Mulholland Dr.
Bel-Air. California 90077
Extent: 9 Boxes (Boxes 22-27.3)
Location: Physical files are housed at the Ostrow Library of the American Jewish University.
Abstract: The records in this series contain materials related to Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs (Series 6).
Language: Materials are in English and Hebrew

Administrative Information

Access:

This collection is open for research with permission from the Ostrow Library staff. Some materials may be restricted. Contact the Archive (sivanst3@gmail.com) or the Library (library@aju.edu).

Accruals:

Additions to this collection may be transferred regularly.

Rights:

Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreement, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright holder. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item], Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs, Guide to the American Jewish University Archive, American Jewish University, Bel-Air, CA 90077.

Acquisition Information:

Collected by various members of the American Jewish University.

Scope and Content:

The records in this series contain materials related to Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs (Series 6).
The American Jewish University Archive is a collection of documents, pamphlets, recordings, letters, publications, photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera that document the history of the University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute which merged to become American Jewish University in 2007, depicting people, places and events at both campuses.

Organization:

The collection is Series 6: Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs
  • VI. Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs 1947-2014
    • Subseries 1. University Library
    • Subseries 2. Ostrow Library
    • Subseries 3. Museum
    • Subseries 4. Camp Ramah/Zimmer Campus in Ojai. Max and Pauline Zimmer Conference Center
    • Subseries 5. Women's League for Conservative Judaism
    • Subseries 6. University Women
    • Subseries 7. The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS)
    • Subseries 8. Center for the Study of Contemporary Jewish Life
    • Subseries 9. Patron’s Society
    • Subseries 10. Sondra and Marvin Smalley Family Sculpture Garden
    • Subseries 11. The Platt and Borstein Galleries
    • Subseries 12. Treasures of Judaica Gift Shop
    • Subseries 13. UJ Council on the Performing Arts
    • Subseries 14. Susan and David Wilstein Institute of Jewish Policy Studies
    • Subseries 15. Gindi Auditorium
    • Subseries 16. The Shirley and Arthur Whizin Center Dedicated to the Jewish Future
    • Subseries 17. Center for Policy Options
    • Subseries 18. Ziering Institute Exploring Ethical and Religious Implications of the Holocaust
    • Subseries 19. Moriah Society
    • Subseries 20. United Synagogue of America/United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
    • Subseries 21. Persian Friends of the UJ
    • Subseries 22. UJ Associates
    • Subseries 23. Machal West, Overseas Volunteers in Israel’s Wars of Independence
    • Subseries 24. Congregational Cabinet
    • Subseries 25. Alumni Association
    • Subseries 26. Conservative Foundation
    • Subseries 27. University of Judaism Northern California

American Jewish University:

The American Jewish University , with its Familian campus in Bel Air, California and Brandeis-Bardin campus in Simi Valley, California, is the outcome of the 2007 union of Brandeis-Bardin Institute (BBI) and the University of Judaism (UJ).
In 1947, the University of Judaism was founded in Los Angeles, the vision of Dr. Mordecai Kaplan, the author of Judaism as a Civilization, who advocated the creation of an educational institution incorporating diverse elements of Jewish civilization and culture under one roof. To carry out his dream, he received the support of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Los Angeles.
Six years earlier, BCI was founded by Dr. Shlomo Bardin to safeguard against assimilation of young American Jews by making “the great ethical heritage of Judaism” relevant to them. Brandeis Camp Institute was named to honor our nation’s first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, Louis D. Brandeis, who was instrumental as the visionary and primary funder of Dr. Bardin’s initial programmatic endeavor. BBI was located for brief periods of time in Amherst, NH, Winterdale, PA and Hendersonville, NC before finding its home in 1947 in Simi Valley.
For more information, please see our history page at the following link: http://aboutus.aju.edu/default.aspx?id=4742 .

The Bel and Jack M. Ostrow Academic Library:

The Ostrow Library , is designed to meet the needs of the University's faculty and students, as well as scholars conducting research in all fields of Jewish culture and civilization. Members of the general public are also invited to use the Library’s materials for personal enrichment and enjoyment. With approximately 110,000 print volumes, the library's collections have grown consistently through endowments, gifts of major private collections and an ongoing acquisition program.

The Burton Sperber Memorial Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles:

The Burton Sperber Jewish Community Library  at American Jewish University now serves as the official Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles. This new library succeeds the original Peter M. Kahn Jewish Community Library that was formerly housed at the Los Angeles Jewish Federation. Dedicated by his family in memory of noted Los Angeles philanthropist and landscape developer Burton Sperber, this library welcomes the entire Los Angeles Jewish community to enjoy its state-of-the-art facility including regularly scheduled programs for children and families as well as author and other literary encounters.

The Lowy-Winkler Family Rare Book Center:

The Lowy-Winkler Family Rare Book Center , a gift of Peter and Janine Lowy, is home to the Maslan Bible Collection. This unusual assemblage of exceptional volumes includes approximately 4,000 Bibles, some dating back almost to the inception of the printing press. This collection also features bible translations representing most of the written languages of the world, as well as the Kalman-Friedman Collection of Italian Judaica.

The University Archives:

The University Archives  of the American Jewish University is a collection of documents, pamphlets, recordings, letters, publications, photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera that document the history of the University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute which merged to become American Jewish University in 2007, depicting people, places and events at both campuses.

Photograph and Digital Archive:

  • The American Jewish University Digital Archive  includes photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera that document the history of the University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute which merged to become American Jewish University in 2007, depicting people, places and events at both campuses. These photographs include great Jewish thinkers who founded AJU and were involved with its growth over the years. The creation of both institutions was made possible by philanthropists to whom we owe the building of University of Judaism and the Brandeis-Bardin Institute.

Audio-Visual Archive:

  • The American Jewish University Audio-Visual Archive  is a collection of audio-visual records of lectures, shows, and events taking place at or produced by the American Jewish University (formerly University of Judaism and Brandeis-Bardin Institute) over the years.

Louis Shub Documentation Center:

  • The Louis Shub Documentation Center  at the American Jewish University is a collection of thousands of articles from various newspapers and periodicals covering a range of subjects. Gathered by Dr. Shub, the former library director of the University of Judaism, the collection was used by students to research subjects such as Israeli and Jewish figures, Foreign Policy, Global Jewish Communities, Israel, the Middle East and many other issues and subjects. The importance of this collection is the juxtaposing of articles from major papers with those of small local papers both covering the same event. The finding aid to the collection can be viewed at: http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c85h7jcf/ 

Subjects:

Note

(Library of Congress Subject Headings)

Personal and Corporate Names:
American Jewish University
Brandeis-Bardin Institute (Brandeis, Simi Valley, Calif.)
University of Judaism
Camp Ramah.
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
United Synagogue of America.
Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
National Women's League
University Women of the University of Judaism
Sinai Temple (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Shub, Louis
Lieber, David L.
Greenberg, Simon, 1901-
Wexler, Robert
Turner, Justin G.
Fligelman, Julius, 1895-1980
Heschel, Abraham Joshua, 1907-1972
Kohn, Jacob, 1881-1968
Swig, Benjamin Harrison, 1893-1980
Pressman, Jacob;
Kaplan, Mordecai Menahem, 1881-1983
Finkelstein, Louis, 1895-1991
Levine, Sid
Wise, Aaron M.
Vorspan, Max
Zemach, Benjamin
Helfman, Max
Warren, Earl, 1891-1974
Eisenshtat, Sidney, 1914-2005
Gindi, Elie M.
Bergman, Martin
Jospe, Erwin
Alexander, Hanan A., 1953-
Bradley, Tom, 1917-1998
Dorff, Elliot N.
Cohen, Gerson D. (Gerson David), 1924-
Dortort, David
Goodhill, Victor, 1911-
Gordis, David M.
Schulweis, Harold M.
Glass, Judith
Ray, Eric
Krems, Nathan
Ackerman, Walter I.
Kahn, Peter M., 1878- [from old catalog]
Gordis, Robert, 1908-
Wolfson, Ron
Cohen, Aryeh
Oppenheim, Lois Hecht
Schary, Dore
Zevit, Ziony
Familian, Isadore
Seewack, Benjamin
Ostrow, Jack
Ostrow, Bel
Easton, Harold

Subjects and Indexing Terms

General Subjects:
Judaism.
Zionism and Judaism.
Israel.
Education.
College presidents.
Jewish college presidents
Rabbis.
Philanthropists
Scholars.
Art.
Patrons of education
Board of directors--United States.
College administrators
Libraries.
Jewish artists
Jewish college teachers
Authors.
Faculty, University
Women.
Musicians
College campuses.

Box Boxes 22-27.3

Series: 6.
Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs 1947-2014

Physical Description: 9 Boxes

Scope and Content Note

The records in this series contain materials related to Non-Academic Organizations, Units & Programs (Series 6).
Box 22, Folder 1

1. University Library 1947-1962

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on events (An evening with Mr. Louis Shub, Treasury of Yiddish Stories, 1954; Radio Lecture Series by Louis Shub), budget and news clippings
Box 22, Folder 2-3

2. Bel and Jack M. Ostrow Library 1989-2014

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on events, funding campaigns, reports, news clippings, news releases, advertisements, patron forms, and faculty (Louis Shub).

Biography/Organization History

Historical Note: The Ostrow Library is designed to meet the needs of the University's faculty and students, as well as scholars conducting research in all fields of Jewish culture and civilization. Members of the general public are also invited to use the Library’s materials for personal enrichment and enjoyment. With approximately 110,000 print volumes, the library's collections have grown consistently through endowments, gifts of major private collections and an ongoing acquisition program.
Box 22, Folder 4

3. Museum 1952-1960

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on exhibits such as the Bialik Institute Exhibit, The Signers of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, Exhibit from the Justin. G. Turner Collection, and the Chagall Exhibit.
Box 22, Folder 5-11

4. Camp Ramah 1955-2005

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on the Board of Directors of Camp Ramah in California, communications and publications, and events (Ramah Academy, Scholar in Residence, Weekend Institute, Follow the Lieber)
Variant Name: Zimmer Campus in Ojai; Max and Pauline Zimmer Conference Center; Ramah Academy

Biography/Organization History

Established in 1946, it is the network of seven overnight camps and five day camps throughout North America as well as others in South America and Israel. In bringing together hundreds of campers and staff each summer, Camp Ramah creates educating communities in which people learn to live committed Jewish lives, embodying the ideals of Conservative Judaism.
Box 22, Folder 12-15

5. Women's League for Conservative Judaism ca. 1979-2005

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on the Torah Fund, communications and publications, board and convention, events and members.

Biography/Organization History

Founded in 1918 by Matilde Schechter, it serves as the umbrella for the hundreds of congregational Women’s and Sisterhood organizations. Dedicated to the enrichment of Jewish life, it is dedicated to the perpetuation of traditional Judaism in the home, synagogue, and community, and seeks to educate its members and provide guidance and support to both lay and professional.
Box 27-27.3

6. University Women 1963-2014

Archival Material:

Physical Description: 4 Boxes; 16 Scrapbooks

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on officers and membership lists, communications and publications, events (Annual Author-Artist Luncheon, Young Artist Concert Series) and more.
Boxes 27.1-27.3 and scrapbooks are unproccessed.

Biography/Organization History

Starting as the University Women of the School of Fine Arts in 1963, the University Women's primary mission is to provide educational and cultural programs for women including a focus on Jewish themes, personal spirituality, world awareness and issues of concern to women. We also serve American Jewish University by allocating our funds to support our libraries and invest in our Jewish future by providing student scholarships.
Box 22, Folder 16-19

7. The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) 1948-1999

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes correspondence, publications, materials on the Eternal Light and Directions Radio/TV Program, and more.

Biography/Organization History

Founded in 1886, JTS is a center for the academic study of Judaism offering programs in rabbinic ordinations, cantorial training, masters and doctoral programs, and an undergraduate college. Its auxiliary programs include a supplementary high school program (Prozdor), Ramah Camps and The Jewish Museum.
Box 23, Folder 1

8. Center for the Study of Contemporary Jewish Life 1970-1979

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on the Advisory Committee, and reports, studies and publications by Louis Shub and others including Jewish Affairs Background Reports, Jewish Identity Study, and a Study of Greater Los Angeles Jewry.

Biography/Organization History

The center concerned itself with policy-oriented research, seeking to identify, clarify and prepare possible approaches to the solution of problems that confront Jews and Judaism in the contemporary world.
Box 23, Folder 2-16

9. Patron’s Society 1963-1997

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes membership brochures, event material (Patrons Society Dinners and Tributes, Eternal Light Award Dinners, Women's Circle, and more), and communications.

Biography/Organization History

As a Patron donor, you provide much of the needed support that underwrites scholarships for deserving students at AJU's College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Center for Education, Graduate School for Nonprofit Management, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and Camp Alonim. By investing in these students, you will join hundreds of Patrons Society members, knowing that you are assisting students in their educational goals and ensuring a bright future for our community.
Box 23, Folder 17-18

10. Sondra and Marvin Smalley Family Sculpture Garden 1981-2013

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes event, publication, and communication materials.

Biography/Organization History

The Sondra and Marvin Smalley Sculpture Garden was dedicated in 1981. The garden contains a collection of museum-quality works of art, produced during the last half of the 20th century by artists who have achieved pre-eminence in the same period. This dynamic and growing collection provides an environment for students and visitors to reflect, study and discuss as they enjoy the collaboration of nature and art. The garden epitomizes the University’s commitment to education as well as being a stimulus for an appreciation of the arts.
Box 24, Folder 1-4

11. The Platt and Borstein Galleries 1983-2014

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes exhibition programs, Fine Arts Council of the University of Judaism records, and communications records.

Biography/Organization History

The Platt and Borstein Galleries present exhibitions and educational programs in the Visual Arts. Selected Jewish and non-Jewish artists bring insight into current trends as well as historical perspective to our community life. The galleries provide a valuable and necessary aesthetic component to the educational goals of American Jewish University.
Box 24, Folder 5

12. Treasures of Judaica Gift Shop 1987-1991

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes news clippings and news releases.
Box 24, Folder 6-14

13. Council on the Performing Arts 1987-2002

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on Performing Arts Programs, such as the Festival of the Performing Arts in the Gindi Auditorium, International Festival of Performing Arts, and the Festival of the Arts and Performing Arts Series, as well as news clippings and news releases.
Variant Name: UJ Council on the Performing Arts
Box 24, Folder 15-18

14. Susan and David Wilstein Institute of Jewish Policy Studies 1986-1992

Scope and Content Note

Includes brochures, reports, newsletters, stationary, event programs, communication materials and more.
Box 25, Folder 1-2

15. Gindi Auditorium 1984-1996

Archival Material:

Biography/Organization History

With seating for 474 guests, our auditorium is the perfect venue for performances, concerts, plays and lectures. Equipped with a spacious backstage area, 2 dressing rooms, sound booth and in-house sound and lighting, the Gindi is a prime location for your event. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Sepulveda pass, the recently remodeled Foyer is the perfect setting for a pre-show cocktail reception, intermission or wrap party.

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on the Center for the Performing Arts, event programs, news clippings and news releases.
Box 25, Folder 3

16. The Whizin Center for the Jewish Future 1989-ca.1995

Biography/Organization History

Started in 1989 by Ron Wolfson, the Whizin Center for the Jewish Future, a think tank dedicated to envisioning the future of Jewish life. The first institute of the Whizin Center focused on Jewish family life. The second institute evolved into Synagogue 2000 (now Synagogue 3000), headed by Dr. Wolfson, to advance the synagogue in 21st century America.

Scope and Content Note

Includes programs, stationary, papers, news releases and news clippings.
Variant Name: The Shirley and Arthur Whizin Center Dedicated to the Jewish Future
Box 25, Folder 4-7

17. Center for Policy Options 1997-2000 1976-2000

Scope and Content Note

Includes publications, board materials, project pamphlets, policy papers series, events, communications materials, and correspondence.
Box 25, Folder 8

18. Ziering Institute Exploring Ethical and Religious Implications of the Holocaust ca. 2002-2004

Biography/Organization History

The Sigi Ziering Institute is based on a simple premise: in forging our current global community, we must continue to discuss and learn from the ethical dimensions of this chapter of history in order to enrich and inform not only the Jewish future but the collective future of humankind. Dr. Ziering – a German born child survivor of the Holocaust who went on to become a brilliant scientist and active philanthropist – wrote powerfully on the ethics of the Holocaust and forged a life of charity and compassion from his own ruinous history. The existence of an Institute dedicated to the study of the Holocaust’s ethical implications is an apt tribute to Dr. Ziering’s life.

Scope and Content Note

Includes programs and event materials.
Variant Name: Sigi Ziering Institute
Box 25, Folder 9-11

19. Moriah Society ca. 1992-1999

Biography/Organization History

The Moriah Society is a group of real estate industry professionals who meet monthly to network and grow professionally, socially, and educationally, while raising funds to support AJU’s Scholarship Fund.

Scope and Content Note

Includes promotional and event materials (Taste of Kosher, Tribute to Leonard Shapiro, Golf Classic and more).
Variant Name: Moriah Society for Real Estate Professionals
Box 25, Folder 12

20. United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 1947-2004

Archival Material:

Scope and Content Note

Includes materials on News of the United Synagogue, United Synagogue Review, Los Angeles Hebrew High School, Pacific Southwest Region, Institute for Jewish Policy Planning and Research of the Synagogue Council of America, United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education and more.
Variant Name: United Synagogue of America
Box 25, Folder 13

21. Persian Friends of the UJ 2004

Scope and Content Note

Includes pamphlet.
Box 25, Folder 14

22. UJ Associates 1982-1984

Scope and Content Note

Includes executive committee materials, correspondence, and news clippings.
Box 25, Folder 15

23. Machal West, Overseas Volunteers in Israel’s Wars of Independence 2006

Biography/Organization History

On September 10, 2006, the UJ held the Machal West Exhibit Opening. The West Coast Aliyah Bet and Machal Exhibit honored the 3,500 heroes—men and women, Jews and non-Jews—who came from 43 countries after WWII to help in the struggle and survival of Israel as an independent nation.

Scope and Content Note

Includes exhibit program.
Box 25, Folder 16

24. Congregational Cabinet 1969-1988

Physical Location: Additional Location: (Oversized Material)

Scope and Content Note

Includes Tribute and Fellowship Breakfast materials. Congregational Cabinet, UJ Photo, At Campus Site, 1969-10-26 in oversized.
Box 25, Folder 17

25. Alumni Association 1978-2003

Scope and Content Note

Includes event materials and news clippings.
Box 26

26. Conservative Foundation 1960-1996

Box 26

27. University of Judaism Northern California 1991

Scope and Content Note

Includes news clippings.