The Retreat

American Jewish University’s Institute for Jewish Creativity and Asylum Arts proudly announce Reciprocity, a Los Angeles Jewish Artist Retreat. Reciprocity creates a network for community development and strengthens the local cultural ecosystem. The inaugural retreat takes place November 15-17, 2015.  During this intensive three-day program, thirty Los Angeles based multi-disciplinary emerging Jewish artists will learn from local professionals, community leaders, Jewish educators, and from one another.

Reciprocity is an invitation-only program that aims to empower artists to explore collaboration and innovative ways in order to build an integrated artist community and facilitate a nuanced conversation about Los Angeles’ unique culture and identity. We foster an artist community founded on reciprocity, collaboration and inclusivity to build the Los Angeles Jewish cultural landscape.

The program does not end at the conclusion of the retreat. Throughout the subsequent months, each artist will benefit from IJC facilitated community-based opportunities and become part of a global network of artists.

Logistics and Program

We will meet at AJU’s  Brandeis-Bardin Campus, a historic location that has hosted Jewish artists and luminaries for over 60 years.  Meeting at this magnificent 2,700 retreat center in Simi Valley, away from the distractions of our day-to-day lives, nurtures an environment dedicated to learning, creativity and growth.  Each participating artist must commit to attending the entire retreat period, from Sunday to Tuesday, as it is essential to the goals of both communal and professional development.

Our faculty includes master teachers from the arts, community building and leadership, and Jewish education.  We will discuss opportunities available to Jewish artists in Los Angeles.  Additionally, each artist will share his or her creative work with the community.

While our retreat is subsidized, we ask each participant to pay a $50 fee to demonstrate commitment to our program and its goals. To request a subsidy, please be in touch.

Participating Artists



Yair Agmon

Aaron Axelrod

Chari Pere

Judith Prays

Alexandra Shilling

Emily Cohen

Sarah Zucker

Eileen Levinson

Bronwyn Lundberg

Hagar Cygler

Claire Bergen

Aaron Samuels

Eyal Resh

Aaron Henne

H. Alan Scott

Brian Simon

Robin Conrad

Keren Hantman

Sergio Bromberg

Carol Es

Betsy Medvedovsky

Amanda Sutton