BCI - Brandeis Camp Institute

07/31/2026

From donning Shabbat whites to singing together, wrapping tefillin, exploring Torah, and reading from it, BCI creates space for each participant to engage with Jewish life in ways that feel authentic to them.

Rooted in curiosity, openness, and community, the program invites every BCIer—regardless of background or experience—to use this time away from the noise of life to explore their own relationship with Judaism. These moments of learning, reflection, and sacred connection are at the heart of BCI.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom. ✨

07/28/2026

📢 Calling all BCIers!
For 85 years, BCI has inspired lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, Jewish learning, and a deep connection to community.

Return to the magical Brandeis-Bardin Campus this October to celebrate BCI. Save the dates, and stay tuned for more details!

07/20/2026

"I went as an Israeli and came back as a Jew."

More than 30 years after his summer at BCI, community leader and Reut Group founder Gidi Grinstein reflects on the experience that transformed his understanding of Jewish identity, peoplehood, and leadership.

From meaningful conversations at the House of the Book to lifelong friendships and a renewed commitment to Jewish learning, Gidi's BCI journey continues to shape his life and work in the Jewish community today.

A powerful reminder of the impact of BCI and the connections forged there.

📖 Read the full story on our website at the link below.
https://aju.edu/news/i-went-as-an-israeli-and-came-back-a-jew-how-bci-shaped-community-leader-gidi-grinsteins-life/

07/15/2026

As BCI 2026 comes to a close, we leave with hearts full of gratitude—for the community formed, the songs shared, the questions explored, and the moments of joy and reflection that shaped this powerful Jewish leadership experience!

May the spirit of this summer and the Brandeis Bardin Campus continue to inspire curiosity and connection.

Thank you to this amazing aliyah for bringing the magic of BCI to life again ✨

👉 Take a look back at some of the beautiful moments from this summer's journey, and stay tuned—we'll be sharing more photos, reflections, and stories from BCI 2026 in the weeks ahead 📸

07/10/2026

☀️ A perfect summer day at BCI! 🌿🌊

Last week, our BCIers went to Shemesh Farms in Malibu, where they learned about the incredible work of this nonprofit, which creates meaningful employment, programming, and community for adults with diverse abilities.

Alongside the Farm Fellows and staff, our participants pruned plants, built flower beds, sorted herbs for drying, and experienced the power of community service firsthand.

Then it was time for some classic California fun! 🌊 Just a short 5 minute walk down the road to Zuma Beach where BCIers soaked up the sunshine, braved the waves, sang together, and enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon by the ocean!

07/01/2026

BCI is back, and what a beautiful start to the summer. ✨

Our first week has been filled with music, dancing, creative workshops, challah baking, meaningful conversations, and the magic of building community.

Each summer, BCI invites participants into an immersive experience rooted in Jewish tradition and open-hearted exploration. Together, they're asking big questions, deepening their connection to Judaism, spirituality, themselves, and one another, while creating a community grounded in curiosity, joy, and belonging.

We're just getting started. Stay tuned for more moments, memories, and highlights from this year's incredible aliyah 💙

06/15/2026

There is still time to join this summer's BCI Fellowship, beginning June 23.

For 18 days, you'll step away from the ordinary and join a community of people in their 20s exploring Jewish identity, creativity, leadership, culture, and connection.

BCI is part fellowship, part retreat, part summer adventure. You'll spend your days learning, creating, questioning, celebrating, and building friendships that often last long after the program ends.

Tuition is just $500, and a limited number of scholarships are still available. Housing, meals, programming, and activities are all included.

📍 Brandeis-Bardin Campus
📅 June 23 – July 12

If you're looking for a summer that challenges you, inspires you, and connects you to something bigger than yourself, there's still time.

Register today at aju.edu/bci

Through Ziering Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI), young adults develop the tools to answer defining questions of your 20s: Who are you? What do you believe? And how will you lead?

05/13/2026

📢 Calling all Alumni — we’re looking for YOU! 🫵
https://r35wq.share.hsforms.com/2X0_FvsyST4SEs2anVMxIGA

We’re building our alumni family and it starts with staying connected. Help us update our alumni network by taking this quick 5-minute survey and making sure we have your latest contact info.

✨ Reconnect with classmates
✨ Stay in the loop on AJU news & events
✨ Be part of our growing alumni community

Please also forward this to fellow alumni—we’d love to reconnect with them too!

Your information will be used solely for AJU communication purposes.

Click the link and help us bring our alumni family back together 💙
🔗 https://r35wq.share.hsforms.com/2X0_FvsyST4SEs2anVMxIGA

05/08/2026

Dear Friends, As I complete my first year as President and CEO of American Jewish University, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to our exceptional staff, lay leaders, alumni, program participants, and donors for their support and leadership.

Today, we’re launching our dynamic, user-friendly website, aju.edu. This is much more than a new website. It is a clear statement of our identity, mission, and impact. We hope you will visit it often and refer it to your friends and family.

We’ve returned to our roots and have refocused our work "singularly focused on the Jewish future."

This year, we’re celebrating two important milestones that demonstrate our impact: the 85th anniversary of the Ziering Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI) and the 40th anniversary of Miller Introduction to Judaism. Thousands of Jewish leaders around the world trace their inspiration and attribute their commitment to the Jewish people to their experiences at BCI. Our Introduction to Judaism program has created thriving Jewish homes and has guided thousands interfaith couples to make meaningful Jewish choices. Stay tuned for opportunities to join us as we reconnect with our alumni and commemorate these milestones.

The website launch also includes the rollout of the 2050 Institute with a podcast, "The Jewish Tomorrow" and a salon series, "The Future of...". The 2050 Institute is a bold and transformative initiative focusing on the next generation of Jewish life in North America.

American Jewish University is reinforcing its founding principles as both a living laboratory and a university of higher learning committed to experiential education that’s deeply rooted in Jewish texts and tradition, rich arts and culture and state-of-the-art innovation. We are strategically connecting our current and planned programs to reinforce our dedication to offering life-long experiences for Jews (and those interested in learning about Judaism and the Jewish people) of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.

Thank you for your continued support,

Jay Sanderson
President & CEO
American Jewish University

03/17/2026

✨ Please join us in welcoming Halle Shumate as the new Associate Director of BCI!

A SoCal native, Halle brings experience in Jewish communal leadership from organizations including Hillel, BBYO, Jewish Community Relations Councils, and Jewish Federations. She is passionate about creating spaces where people can explore Jewish identity, engage big ideas, and build meaningful community.

At BCI, she’ll be working with our faculty, alumni, and partners to deepen the BCI experience, grow our community, and strengthen BCI’s vibrant alumni network.

We’re so excited to have her on the team. Welcome, Halle! ✨