American Jewish University celebrated the graduation and ordination of students from its Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership and Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.
On May 18, the Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership held its early-childhood education program graduation ceremony at AJU’s Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, Calif. The graduates are poised to shape the future of Jewish early-childhood education, creating nurturing and inclusive environments grounded in Jewish values.
“Investing in Jewish early childhood education is investing in the future of the Jewish community,” said Bruce Powell, dean of AJU’s Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership. “The 2025 graduates embody a deep commitment to cultivating Jewish identity, values and community from the very beginning of a child’s educational journey. They are true torchbearers for the next generation of Jewish learners.”
This year’s graduating class included Niki Bánffy-Nesbitt, Abiba Bola, Nechama Dena Brown, Mykenzie Busser, Lucy Castillo, Karla Rebekah Cianci, Marlo Kane Dewing, Emma Dorado, Jamai Ellis, Robert Paul Espinosa, Louisa Gladstone, Chana Gubani, Carina Hu, Ifat Kantorovich, Sheila Purdin, Ashlyn Rosen, Hannah Rubinstein, Fiona Sackett, Susan Beth Kraemer Valdez, Elky Zavdi and Mally Zazzara.
“Jewish early-childhood education is more vital than ever,” said Tamar Andrews, director of early-childhood education programs. “Our graduates already are transforming the field through groundbreaking capstone projects and their presence in classrooms nationwide.”
The next day, on May 19, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies held a moving ordination ceremony at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, marking the transition of six new rabbis into the sacred calling of Jewish spiritual leadership: Rabbi Jaclyn Honig, Rabbi Avi Benjamin Kushlan, Rabbi Nicholas Arthur Losorelli, Rabbi Malka Michél, Rabbi Kaylie Rachel Romano and Rabbi Julie Chana Ariel Rosenson.
“The Ziegler School is deeply invested in the growth of each of our students, and it has been an honor to witness these hardworking individuals in their journey to the rabbinate,” said Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of AJU’s Ziegler School. “These six dedicated individuals have undergone rigorous study and are aptly prepared to meet the needs of the Jewish people and make a tremendous positive impact in their communities.”
“The Ziegler rabbis and teachers have poured countless hours into caring for my soul and nurturing my intellect by sharing their hard-earned wisdom and knowledge,” said Rosenson. “Each teacher gave open-heartedly their own Torah, gently and carefully sculpting me into the rabbi that I am, as well as making me a better human being.”
In conjunction with the ordination ceremony, AJU commemorated two decades of devoted service within the rabbinate by awarding honorary doctorates upon the distinguished alumni of the Ziegler School’s Class of 2005: Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg, Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Rabbi Rachel Brown and Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin.
Looking ahead, AJU is preparing to celebrate its next graduating cohort: students completing the university’s Bachelor of Arts degree in early-childhood education in August. This program, designed for adult learners returning to complete their undergraduate education, is a testament to AJU’s broad and inclusive vision for Jewish education and leadership cultivation.