Guide to the Campus Records of the 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://callimachus.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15008coll11
E-mail: library@aju.edu
E-mail: sivanst3@gmail.com
© May, 2014
All rights reserved.
Campuses, American Jewish University Archives (Institutional Records)
Collection number: CaLaAJUL1_2
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_2
Title: Campuses, American Jewish University Archives (Institutional Records)
Date (inclusive): 1948-2014 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:
1 Box
Location: Physical files are housed at the Ostrow Library of the American Jewish University.
Abstract: The records in this series include materials related to the various campuses that have housed the University since 1948.
The University's first year in 1947 took place in classrooms at Sinai Temple. Starting from 1948, the campuses included 612
South Ardmore Avenue, 6525 Sunset Blvd., and 15600 Mulholland Drive.
Subseries in this collection include the South Ardmore Avenue Campus, Sunset Blvd. Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive: The Familian
Campus (FC), and the Brandeis-Bardin Campus.
Language: Materials are in English and Hebrew
Administrative Information
Access:
This collection is open for research with permission from the Ostrow Library staff. 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], Campuses, 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 include materials related to the various campuses that have housed the University since 1948.
The University's first year in 1947 took place in classrooms at Sinai Temple. Starting from 1948, the campuses included 612
South Ardmore Avenue, 6525 Sunset Blvd., and 15600 Mulholland Drive. Subseries in this collection include the South Ardmore
Avenue Campus, Sunset Blvd. Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive: The Familian Campus (FC), and the Brandeis-Bardin Campus.
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 organized in 4 sub-series.
- II. Campuses: 1948-2014
- Subseries 1. South Ardmore Avenue Campus
- Subseries 2. Sunset Blvd. Campus
- Subseries 3. 15600 Mulholland Drive: The Familian Campus (FC)
- Subseries 4. Brandeis-Bardin Campus
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.
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 10
Series : II.
Campuses
1948-2014
Archival Items:
Physical Description: 1 Box
Scope and Content Note
This series contains materials related to the various campuses that have housed the University since 1948.
Biography/Organization History
Historical Note: The University's first year in 1947 took place in classrooms at Sinai Temple. Starting from 1948, the campuses included 612
South Ardmore Avenue, 6525 Sunset Blvd., and 15600 Mulholland Drive. In 2007, the University of Judaism merged with the Brandeis-Bardin
Institute, creating a landmark entity, from then on known as American Jewish University.
Subseries in this collection include the South Ardmore Avenue Campus, Sunset Blvd. Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive: The Familian
Campus (FC), and the Brandeis-Bardin Campus.
Box 10, folder 1
Subseries: 1
612 South Ardmore Avenue Campus
1948
Archival Items:
Photographs of Ardmore Campus:
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains materials related to the South Ardmore Avenue campus.
Historical Note: With the beneficence of Louis M. Rabinowitz, this private eight room mansion on the corner of Sixth Street and Ardmore Avenue
in central Los Angeles housed the University from 1948-1957.
Box 10, folder 1
A:
Dedication in behalf of the University of Judaism
1948-12
Scope and Content Note
Includes an invitation to the event featuring the guest of honor, Dr. Louis Finkelstein, and a copy of a letter from President
Harry Truman to Simon Greenberg, congratulating the dedication of the West Coast Branch of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
1.
Invitation, Dedication in behalf of the University of Judaism, 1948 (a_cajoul022)
2.
Letter from President Harry Truman to Simon Greenberg, 1948 (a_cajoul023)
Box 10, folder 2
Subseries: 2
6525 Sunset Blvd. Campus
1954-1975
Archival Items:
Photographs of Sunset Blvd. Campus:
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains materials related to the Sunset Blvd. campus.
Historical Note: Formerly the home of the Hollywood Athletic Club, it had nine-stories, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, gymnasium, basketball
court (converted into a library), steam rooms (converted into art studios), ballroom (later converted into a 300-seat theater),
restaurant, and meeting rooms. It housed the University from 1957-1977.
Box 10, folder 2
A:
Memorandums and Correspondences
1954-1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes a memorandum of a conversation between Milton Sperling and Simon Greenberg (1954-07-08), and cafeteria conditions
agreements and memos between the University and Ahuva Suberi.
Box 10, folder 2
B:
Minutes of Meeting of House Committee
1966
Scope and Content Note
Includes minutes of the 1966-06-22 meeting of the House Committee. Max Zimmer, Arthur Whizin, Samuel Dinin, and Irving Niedorf
present.
Box 10, folder 2
C:
News Clippings
1958-1979
Box 10
Subseries: 3:
15600 Mulholland Drive: The Familian Campus (FC)
1966-2014
Archival Items and Photographs:
Physical Description: 1 Box
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains materials related to the Familian campus in Bel Air at 15600 Mulholland Drive. It includes records
related to construction of the campus, the Building Committee, the Greater University of Judaism Committee, various buildings
on campus, dedications and events held.
Historical Note: American Jewish University’s home since 1977, the Familian Campus is set atop a rustic mountain range, and spread over 27-acres
in one of Los Angeles’ most desirable neighborhoods. Master-planned by Sidney Eisenshtat, this unique location offers impressive
panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley.
A:
Construction
1966-1983
Physical Description: 2 Folders
Box 10, folder 3
1:
Office of Zoning Administration, Correspondence
1966-1981
Box 10, folder 4
2:
Addendums and Agreements
1976-1983
B:
Building Committee
1966-1978
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Abstract: Contains materials related to the Building Committee, under the chairmanship of Matthew Berman, which was in charge of seeking
prospective sites and acquisition of the new campus. Members include Jack Gindi, Isadore Familian, Frank Horny, Abraham Spiegel,
Justin Turner, Milton Whitebrook, Arthur Whizin, Max Zimmer, Max Vorspan, David Lieber, Nathan Krems, Jerry Fine, Jack Ostrow,
and more.
Box 10, folder 5
2:
Meeting Minutes
1966-1967
Box 10, folder 5
3:
Correspondence
1967-1977
Box 10, folder 5
5:
News Clippings
1966-1978
C:
The Greater University of Judaism Committee
1970-1977
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Contains materials related to the Greater University of Judaism Committee, under the chairmanship of Isadore Familian, Benjamin
Seewack, and Harold Easton. The Building Committee included Jack Gindi and Jerrold Fine, and members include Gerson Cohen,
David Lieber, Jack Ostrow, Victor Goodhill, Julius Fligelman, Albert Spiegel, Max Zimmer, Hillel Silverman, Roland Arnall,
Alexander Berg, William Fingerhut, Milton Gordon, Jacob Pressman, Aaron Wise and more.
Box 10, folder 6
1:
Campaigning Materials
1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes a letter from Benjamin Seewack; Samuel Fryer Administration Building Funding Opportunities Booklet; The Gifts: A
Handbook for Volunteers; and a booklet for Opportunities for Funding Educational Programs Endowments and Facilities in the
First Building to be Constructed on the New University Campus.
Box 10, folder 6
2:
Event Materials
1970-1980
1.
Invitation to Convocation inaugurating the program of the Greater University of Judaism
1970-12-13
2.
30th Anniversary Dinner, Dore Schary Speaker
1977
3.
Invitation to Celebration of Three Generations and Groundbreaking of the new Administration Building
1980-03-30
Box 10, folder 6
3:
News Clippings
1970-1977
D:
Campus Buildings
1978-2014
Physical Description: 5 Folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials related to various buildings on the Familian Campus, including Bergman Chapel, Samuel A. Fryer Administration
Building, the Residence Halls, and the Mikveh.
Box 10, folder 7
1:
Bergman Chapel
1978-1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes the records of the Chapel Committee, chaired by Milton Whitebook, floor plans by Joseph Young, and a 1994 news release
about High Holy Days services.
Box 10, folder 8
2:
Samuel A. Fryer Administration Building
1978
Scope and Content Note
Includes News Clippings.
Box 10, folder 9-10
3:
Residence Halls
1981-2014
Photographs:
a.
Building Correspondence
1981-05-18
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence between David Lieber and City Council.
b.
Promotional Materials
Scope and Content Note
Housing and Residential Life Brochures, Gift Opportunities and Endowment Booklet.
c.
News Releases and Clippings
1990-11
Scope and Content Note
News releases and clippings. Subjects include Joyce and Melvin Eisenberg-Keefer's gift to name residence hall.
Box 10, folder 10
d.
Housing and Residence Life Department
1985-2014
1.
Residence Life Handbooks and Calendars
1986-1999
2.
Mulholland Country Club Announcements, by Ken Hommel, RA
1985, vol. 1(6)
3.
Campus Safety Pamphlet
2014
Box 10, folder 11
4:
The Mikveh
1988
Scope and Content Note
News Clippings.
D:
Dedications
1968-1987
Physical Description: 5 Folders
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials related to dedications of various buildings on the Familian Campus, including groundbreaking ceremonies,
dedications of the Fingerhut Academic Building, the Synagogue, the Ziegler Administration Building, and more.
Box 10, folder 12
1:
Photographs Taken of Guests at New Site
1968-04-07
Photographs:
Scope and Content Note
Guest List
2:
Groundbreaking Ceremonies and 23rd Commencement Exercises
1973-06-03
Location:
Please see University Events and Ceremonies--Commencement and Class Day Ceremonies--1973 Groundbreaking Ceremony and 23rd
Commencement (Box 11, folder 6)
Box 10, folder 13
3:
Preview Dedications on UJ Campus, Temple Beth El
1977-07-22
Scope and Content Note
News Clippings.
Box 10, folder 13
4:
Dedication of the Familian Campus and Consecration of the Fingerhut Academic Building on the Gindi Plaza
1977-10-16
Archival Items and Photographs:
a.
Invitation, Program, and Program Drafts
Program for Sunny and Isadore Familian Campus Dedication Ceremony, 1977 (cajuol_444)
b.
Committee and Participant Lists
c.
Rabbi David Gordis notes and program
d.
Correspondence
1977-09
Scope and Content Note
From/To David Gordis, Max Vorspan, and Emanuel Forster.
e.
News Clippings
Dedication Supplement, Dedication of the Familian Campus, 1977 (a_cajoul006)
f.
Oversized Materials
1977-10-12
Location:
Location: (Oversized Material)
Scope and Content Note
Resolution Certificate, Commending the UJ, by Herschel Rosenthal, California State Assembly
Box 10, folder 14
5:
A Day of Dedication
1978-12-17;
Photographs:
Scope and Content Note
Program and News Clippings.
6:
Groundbreaking of the New Administration Building
1980-03-30;
Location:
Greater University of Judaism Committee Folder (Box 10, folder 6)
Box
10, folder 14
7:
Dedication of the Synagogue
1981-05-17;
Scope and Content Note
Program, Schedule, and Correspondence from Max Vorspan to various participants.
Box
10, folder 15
8:
Dedication of the Ruth and Allen Ziegler Administration Building
1982-03-28
Archival Items and Photographs:
Ziegler Administration Building Dedication Program, 1982 (cajuol_824)
Scope and Content Note
Invitation, Program, Certificates, and Photographs.
Box
10, folder 16
9:
Groundbreaking and Luncheon of Appreciation
1984-06-10
Scope and Content Note
News Clippings.
Box
10, folder 16
10:
Dedication of the Residence Halls
1985-10-27
Scope and Content Note
Program.
E:
Miscellaneous Events on Campus
1977-1996
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials related to miscellaneous events that have taken place on the Familian Campus.
Box
10, folder 17
1:
Adat Ari El Sisterhood Meeting
1977-10-19
Scope and Content Note
Invitation to Adat Ari El's Sisterhood Meeting, the first organization to hold a function on the newly dedicated campus.
Box
10, folder 17
2:
International Seminar on Religious Education and Values
1996-08
Scope and Content Note
News Clipping.
F:
News Releases
1982-1991
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes news releases related to miscellaneous stories related to the Familian Campus. An example of a news release is provided
here.
1.
Dining Hall Worker Saves Lives
1991-02-12
Box 10, Folder 18-19
4.
Brandeis-Bardin Campus
1969-1988
Archival Material:
Audio-Visual Material:
Physical Location:
Additional Location: (Oversized Material)
Physical Location:
Additional materials are housed at Brandeis campus.
Biography/Organization History
In 2007, the University of Judaism merged with the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, creating a landmark entity, from then on known
as American Jewish University. Located in Simi Valley, the American Jewish University's Brandeis-Bardin Campus offers a multitude
of unique spaces for lifecycle events such as b'nai mitzvot and Jewish weddings, religious and educational retreats and conferences.
The beautifully landscaped grounds and breathtaking views of the Santa Susana Mountains offer a stunning backdrop to any experience.
Scope and Content Note
Includes miscellaneous pamphlets, materials on the Marilyn and Sigi Ziering Brandeis Collegiate Institute (BCI), Israeli Songs
Records by the Brandeis Singers directed by Max Helfman, and Two Campuses, One Vision, One Future Exhibit material in oversize.
Variant Name: Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University; Brandeis Camp Institute;
