American Jewish University (AJU) announced on June 4 that former Sinai Temple Rabbi Sherre Hirsch will become its new chief innovation officer.
Hirsch is tasked with reimagining Jewish education, outreach and engagement for AJU’s two campuses, rabbinical school, and community and public educational programs. She will also provide leadership for AJU’s Whizin Center for Continuing Education, which offers classes, lectures, author events and concerts.
“We are thrilled to bring Rabbi Hirsch onto our senior leadership team to help drive AJU’s development of a new paradigm for education that meets the needs of our rapidly evolving community in Los Angeles and beyond,” Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, president of American Jewish University, said in a statement. “At a time when people are increasingly searching for spirituality and educational options beyond traditional institutions, AJU is uniquely positioned to deliver a new model for programming that engages and enlightens communities locally, nationally, and globally – both inside and outside of the Jewish world. Rabbi Hirsch’s extraordinary experience, wisdom, and insight will be invaluable in developing this new model.”
Hirsch brings an assortment of experience to AJU as a pulpit rabbi, a senior executive at national Jewish institutions, a published author, and a leading public intellectual who has provided commentary on spirituality and religion on national media platforms. As senior rabbinic scholar at Hillel International, Hirsch created and developed Hillelwell, an initiative for Hillels worldwide to educate and normalize mental health in and around the Jewish community.
“I am honored to return to my alma mater, American Jewish University, as it charts an exciting new course to tackle the greatest challenges facing the Jewish community and the world,” Hirsch said in a statement. “My career has been focused around cultivating disruptive innovation that can advance the great project of Jewish peoplehood. I look forward to continuing this work at AJU, where there is a unique opportunity to leverage Jewish innovation and values to empower Jews and non-Jews alike.”
