Every Summer, BCI hosts our programs at the idyllic Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University. Located in the hills of Simi Valley, just North of Los Angeles, the campus is known for its captivating architecture, the natural landscape, and its inspiring environment for artistic exploration and community engagement. All year, the Brandeis-Bardin Campus welcomes diverse programs focused on Jewish learning, creativity, and social responsibility.
The Brandeis-Bardin Campus is as much a feeling as it is a place. As a cornerstone of our institution, it spans 2,700 acres in the Simi Valley hills, has its own zip code, and is officially located in Brandeis, California. Its picturesque landscape, reminiscent of a kibbutz, invites exploration with tranquil hiking trails, camping grounds, and diverse wildlife. From roaming horses to beautiful gardens, BBC offers an immersive experience for all visitors. Committed to artistic, cultural, intellectual, and environmental pursuits, individuals from around the globe have delighted in its nurturing environment.
Originally founded by Dr. Shlomo Bardin in 1941 as the Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI), it was named to honor our nation's first Jewish United States Supreme Court Justice, Louis D. Brandeis, who was instrumental as the visionary and primary funder of Dr. Bardin's initial programs. In 1947, Brandeis Camp Institute purchased 2,200 acres of land in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains outside Simi Valley, CA. Today, BCI hosts transformative experiences where Jewish and Jew-ish participants, ages 18-29, come together for multi-day retreats. Young people from around the world meet on our idyllic campus to connect with each other and reconnect with themselves.
In 1953, Camp Alonim was founded to offer children and teens a vibrant, immersive Jewish camping experience. Integrating traditional summer camp activities with Jewish learning, culture, and values, the camp creates a nurturing environment for exploring Jewish identity.
The iconic peppertrees, planted during the 1950s, are now a signature feature of the campus, providing shade and beauty. These trees symbolize the campus's enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and natural beauty.
Impressed and inspired by Dr. Bardin's vision and educational philosophy, neighbor James Arness (star of "Gunsmoke," one of the longest-running cowboy westerns in early television history) gifted his entire ranch to the Institute in 1972. The 1970s witnessed an expansion of our youth programs, with the Institute being renamed “The Brandeis-Bardin Institute" to honor the memory of its founder, Dr. Shlomo Bardin.
Since the early 1990s, Brandeis-Bardin has been a favorite location for the production of feature films, television series, reality shows, and commercials.
On May 1, 2007, The Brandeis-Bardin Institute joined with the University of Judaism in a landmark merger to become the American Jewish University. The Brandeis-Bardin Campus continues to host a wide range of programs, welcoming thousands of visitors from the broad community annually for retreats, conferences, educational initiatives, and milestone moments. Over the decades, the campus has profoundly impacted thousands, fostering lifelong connections to culture and community.