American Jewish University to Celebrate Jewish Education Graduates and Honorary Doctorates

LOS ANGELES – American Jewish University (AJU) will celebrate graduates and honorary doctorates of the School for Jewish Education and Leadership (SJEL) on August 11 at the Sunny & Isadore Familian Campus. This year’s ceremony will honor the achievements of the next generation of Jewish educators – recipients of AJU’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (BA ECE), Master of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education (MAEd ECE) and Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) programs.

“Now, more than ever, there is a need for Jewish early childhood education,” said Dr. Bruce Powell, Dean of AJU’s School for Jewish Education and Leadership. “I am inspired by the passion and dedication of our 2024 graduates. SJEL’s graduates are committed to nurturing the next generation of Jewish youth, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they make in their respective communities.”

Elise Benveniste, Candice Bouton, Angelina Harper, Cassie Jay, Sara Kaminski, Sara Kaplan, Andrea Mazariego, Karen Orozco, Rachel Phares, Heather Reder and Maya Wieder are earning a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. 

Stephanie Adams, Gabriela Collazo, Kelli Freeman, Chen Goldberg, Amy Leibovitch, Robin Masnicoff, Joanna Okyle and Ronit Shlush will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education. Harry Holland and Kaylie Romano will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education.

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of its graduates, SJEL will award honorary doctorates to Tamar and Bruce Raff at this year’s ceremony. This recognition underscores the Raffs’ exceptional contributions to Jewish education.

Bruce Raff has devoted more than four decades to educational excellence and innovation. He dedicated his career to Jewish education, receiving his Masters from the University of Judaism in 1983, and his ordination as a rabbi in 2001. He has served Temple Judea for more than 30 years and currently serves as the Rabbi in Residence, Rabbi Raff is most proud of his reputation for thinking outside the educational box - for creating innovative models for Jewish education and for mentoring over one hundred graduate students who have gone on to shape the future of Jewish education. He developed the acclaimed alternative model, Nisayon - the best of camp and religious school, and he takes pride in being the first supplementary school to create a partnership with a Tel Aviv high school, creating an annual student exchange - helping to develop lifelong connections between our teens and their families and Israeli students and theirs. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of education and its ability to shape individuals and communities,” said Bruce Raff. “AJU’s School for Jewish Education and Leadership plays a significant role in developing strong, dedicated educators. I am proud to receive an honorary doctorate from AJU and look forward to continuing to support the next generation of Jewish educators.”

 Tamar Raff's career has been marked by her dedication to Jewish education. She has been the Director of Judaic Studies at Valley Beth Shalom Day School for the past 28 years, but began as a Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher, and has held leadership positions at Union Hebrew High School and Kehillat Israel. She is known for her innovative work in family education, authoring many books and programs, including Jewish Experience Together (JET). Her passion for Israel and the Hebrew language has made a lasting impact on countless students and families. She is most proud of her success in inspiring a profound love and knowledge about Israel in her school community, having led decades of Israel trips for her students.

“Receiving an honorary doctorate from AJU’s School for Jewish Education and Leadership is a tremendous honor for which I am most proud,” said Tamar Raff. “My work in Jewish education is driven by a love for connecting individuals to their heritage.”

About AJU: American Jewish University (AJU) is a thriving center of Jewish resources and talent that serves the Jewish community of the twenty-first century. A portal for Jewish belonging, AJU equips students, faculty, campers, and learners of all ages with the tools to create the ideas, build the structures, and develop the programs to advance Jewish wisdom and elevate Jewish living. For more information, visit www.aju.edu.