JLE for Students and Families
The Jewish Learning Experience (JLE) at AJU empowers high school students to deepen their knowledge of Jewish history, culture, and ideas while earning transferable college credit.
Through a mix of asynchronous online coursework and optional in-person discussion sessions with their local Jewish community, JLE challenges students to think critically, speak with confidence, and navigate college-level material and social pressures.
Along the way, students form lasting relationships with peers and mentors in their community and gain a head start on college and future success.
Reach out to our team to get started or ask questions by contacting jle@aju.edu .
Enrollment Requirements
To enroll in the Jewish Learning Experience (JLE), students must be current 9–12th graders and be a member in good standing of their participating Jewish community, such as a synagogue, JCC, or youth program
Applicants should have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 or higher, as verified by transcripts.
In addition to these requirements, JLE looks for students who are committed to Jewish values, history, culture, and religion, who are eager to learn and grow, and who bring a positive, willing attitude to their studies and participation.
Selecting Courses, Schedules, and Workload
Selecting courses for JLE is done in collaboration with the program leader at your synagogue, teen program, or school. Whether you’re drawn to Jewish texts, history, ethics, dialogue, Israel, or philosophy, your leader will help find the classes that fit your cohort’s interests.
Explore the course catalogue below and connect with your community to share which courses you would like to take.
Click to see the course catalog.
Selecting courses for JLE is done in collaboration with the program leader at your synagogue, teen program, or school. Whether you’re drawn to Jewish texts, history, ethics, dialogue, Israel, or philosophy, your leader will help find the classes that fit your cohort’s interests.
Explore the course catalogue below and connect with your community to share which courses you would like to take.
JLE courses are designed to be flexible and give students the opportunity to learn alongside peers. Optional in-person discussion sessions are scheduled by the cohort leader at your synagogue, youth group, or school and are implemented to enhance your learning experience. Deadlines for completion of quizzes, midterms, and final assignments will align with the in-person meeting dates determined by the cohort leader.
Each course requires 30 minutes to an hour of reading, watching, and/or listening to content each week prior to your in-person discussion and weekly quiz.
Learning Outcomes
In the Jewish Learning Experience (JLE) at AJU, you will explore Jewish heritage, culture, and ideas while building skills for life. Dive into biblical texts, Jewish history and immigration, Israel, ethics, community dialogue, and philosophy, connecting ancient wisdom to today.
JLE strengthens research, critical thinking, and leadership, helping you grow as a confident communicator. Earn college credit while deepening your connection to Jewish learning and community, all through courses that inspire curiosity, reflection, and meaningful engagement. You can view a full list of program learning goals in the course catalogue.
Credit Transfers
Once you successfully complete your course with a grade of C- or higher, you will earn 3.0 semester credit hours for each course.
If you wish to transfer your credits, keep in mind that each school has its own rules about how courses from American Jewish University might count toward your major, general education, or elective requirements.
Have questions? We’re here to help! You can reach our registrar at registrar@aju.edu. And when you’re ready to request your official transcript, you can do so here.
AJU is proudly accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), so you can feel confident in the value of the credits you earn.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Need additional support? Please reach out to us regarding any 504 accommodations and special requests. For our full policy on accessibility and accommodations as well as who to contact, click here.