Maas Center at AJU

09/01/2026

Are you ready for Rosh Hashanah? Wondering what to wear or how to prepare? Join us for a crash course with Rabbi John Carrier and explore the meaning, liturgy, customs, and big ideas.

🗓️ September 8 | 6:30 PM PST | Online

Sign up now at AJU.EDU/EVENS 🍯🍎

08/26/2026

✨ Mark the High Holy Days with meaning 🌊

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the mikvah can also offer a beautiful way to prepare for the new year. A moment to immerse, reflect, reset, and begin again in 5787. Special High Holy Day pricing available for all!

🗓️ Reserve your immersion now: aju.edu/maas-center/program/community-mikvah/
📧 Email us at [email protected] if you have questions or don’t see a time that works for you

💙 Come immerse. Mark the moment. Welcome what comes next.

08/13/2026

Jews don't just arrive at the New Year. We need an on-ramp.
That's Elul.

For an entire month before Rosh Hashanah, the shofar sounds each day as a reminder: Wake up. Pay attention. Something important is coming.

There are apologies to make. Relationships to repair. Things to let go of. Parts of ourselves we want to work on.

We all want the sweetest year ahead. But first, we have to get ready for it.

That's Elul.

08/12/2026

When Vanessa Bloom enrolled in AJU’s Miller Intro to Judaism course in fall 2024, she wasn’t searching for something new so much as giving structure to something she had been carrying her whole life.

Bloom, 27, grew up in Orange County, California, in a largely secular household. Her mother is Jewish; her father comes from a German Catholic background. Born in southern China and adopted at seven months old, Bloom was raised with Jewish holidays and rituals—but without formal Jewish education. As an adult, that gap began to matter...

Continue reading Vanessa's story on AJU's Newsroom:

“It reminded me that Jewish learning isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about finding yourself within the tradition.”…

08/05/2026

AJU is grateful to Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries for their generous grant in support of the Miller Intro to Judaism program.

Their partnership helps empower our Intro students as they explore Jewish life, ritual, and community. We're building a vibrant Jewish future, one impactful journey at a time. 💙

07/30/2026

Welcome to the Tribe, Ashley Jackson! ✡️

Ashley L. Jackson, writer, producer, nonprofit leader, and daughter of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, recently shared the story of her conversion to Judaism in Los Angeles after a years-long spiritual journey.

Read her powerful story below:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/07/24/jesse-jackson-was-my-father-he-blessed-my-embrace-judaism/

As a Black and Jewish woman, I claim a twin inheritance.

07/28/2026

SHIR AND DANIEL: A TU B’AV LOVE STORY

After commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples on Tisha B’Av - the 9th of Av, the Jewish calendar gives us Tu B’Av, a holiday celebrating love, joy, connection, and new beginnings!

In honor of Tu B’Av, read a love story below from one of our Miller Introduction to Judaism students and see how Judaism became part of their journey together...

After October 7th, Shir and Daniel found themselves pouring their hearts into hasbara (pro-Israel public relations efforts) on social media, using their voices to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people during one of the most painful and challenging periods in recent history. At the time, Shir was living in Arizona and Daniel was in San Francisco. Through their advocacy, they began coming across each other's posts, connecting through shared thoughts, personal stories, and a deep sense of responsibility to the Jewish people. What began as admiration for each other's courage and conviction slowly turned into a connection neither expected.

Continue reading their story below:
https://emma-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/959fb/45ce7bb629528f9a35805876cb867dae/Shir_and_Daniel_A_Tu_B_Av_Love_Story.pdf

07/22/2026

Who will we become as we rebuild?

Tisha B’Av, the day commemorating the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples, starts tomorrow, July 22, 2026, at sundown.

Most of us know what it feels like to stand amid the ruins of something we once loved. Loss is part of every human story. Tisha B’Av reminds us that we cannot simply act as though nothing happened. We must be honest about what was broken, ask difficult questions, and begin the work of redemption and rebuilding from there.

07/01/2026

✨ In case you missed it—we have a new team member!

Please join us in welcoming Rabbi John Carrier, our new Senior Rabbi and Director of Jewish Education at the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys.

A Miller Intro to Judaism instructor for more than a decade, Rabbi Carrier has helped hundreds of students begin meaningful Jewish journeys. He'll now be working alongside Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh to expand Jewish learning and create even more pathways into Jewish life.

"This is the chance of a lifetime," Rabbi Carrier shared. "My whole rabbinic career has been arcing toward this role."

We're so excited for this next chapter. Read more below and help us welcome Rabbi Carrier in the comments! 💙

Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.

06/12/2026

¿Te interesa aprender más de judaísmo?
👉 https://bit.ly/4xmyel9

Intro al Judaísmo es un curso de 18 semanas curso que ofrece conocimientos fundamentales, habilidades prácticas y conocimientos sobre la cultura judía. No importa su edad o procedencia, puede unirse al programa para aprender sobre temas importantes como rituales, festividades, Torá y valores. Con la guía de un rabino, cada cohorte explora el pasado, presente y futuro del judaísmo.

Ya sea que simplemente desee aprender más sobre los conceptos básicos del judaísmo o esté listo para comenzar su viaje hacia la conversión, el Programa de Intro al Judaísmo de Miller es para usted.

📅 La próxima clase comienza el 21 de junio
🖥️ En línea
📧 ¿Preguntas? Escríbanos a [email protected]

¡Inscríbete hoy! 👉 https://bit.ly/4xmyel9