Rabbi Sherre Hirsch Named American Jewish University’s Chief Innovation Officer

American Jewish University (AJU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabbi Sherre Hirsch as new Chief Innovation Officer. Rabbi Hirsch is a nationally acclaimed Jewish scholar and innovator who will develop new initiatives to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving Jewish community. Rabbi Hirsch is tasked with a broad mandate to reimagine Jewish education, outreach and engagement by leveraging AJU’s wide-ranging platform, which includes two campuses, a nationally acclaimed rabbinical school, and a slate of community and public educational programs. She will also provide intellectual leadership for AJU’s Whizin Center for Continuing Education, which offers classes, lectures, author events, concerts and performances.

Often described as a “soul entrepreneur,” Hirsch brings a unique combination of experience as a pulpit rabbi, a senior executive at national Jewish institutions, a published author, and a leading public intellectual who frequently provides commentary on issues of spirituality and religion in national media.

Rabbi Hirsch made headlines as the first female rabbi at Sinai Temple, the largest Conservative congregation on the west coast. In her most recent role as Senior Rabbinic Scholar at Hillel International, Rabbi Hirsch created and developed Hillelwell, an initiative for Hillels worldwide to become the recognized address for preventative mental health. A thought leader on spirituality and religion, Rabbi Hirsch has appeared on the Today Show, ABC News, Extra, and PBS, among other outlets, and has been a contributor to Time.com, Oprah Magazine, the Jewish Journal, the Hollywood Journal, and more. She is the author of “Thresholds, How to Live Fearlessly and Regret Free” (featured in “Hot Type” in Vanity Fair), and “We Plan, God Laughs, What to do When Life Hits You Over the Head” (recognized on Amazon’s Top 100 List).  

Read the full press release.