Windmueller to step down as HUC dean

The dean of the Los Angeles campus of the Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is retiring.

Steven Windmueller, a prominent figure in Jewish communal and academic life, will leave his post July 1 after serving on an interim basis for three years.

Joshua Holo, the director of the Jerome H. Louchheim School of Judaic Studies, will succeed Windmueller, announced Rabbi David Ellenson, president of the four-campus institution. The Louchheim School provides instruction to more than 600 University of Southern California undergraduates each year.

Windmueller, 67, said he will continue at the college as a professor and the Alfred Gottschalk chair in Jewish communal service. He joined the HUC faculty in 1995 following 10 years as director of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Committee.

Ellenson praised Windmueller’s contributions in advancing the Los Angeles campus’ academic, rabbinical, research and communal service programs, forming its relationship with the University of Southern California and in creating the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement.

Holo is an authority on the social and intellectual life of medieval Jewry in the Christian Mediterranean.

Ellenson said that “the Hebrew Union College looks forward to Holo’s expertise, wisdom and guidance as he advances our mission in preparing men and women as leaders of vision for the Reform movement and the Jewish people worldwide.”