INSTITUTE OFFERS STUDIES.Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer BRANDEIS-BARDIN INSTITUTE Now the Bradeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University, this Jewish retreat in Simi Valley was formerly the Brandeis-Bardin Institute. It is known for its nondenominational summer programs for children, teens and young adults. - Nestled against a hillside southeast of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. is a place of reflection and inspiration: a sprawling compound devoted to helping people discover the relevance and meaning of Judaism in their lives. The 3,000-acre site has its own ZIP code zip code System of postal-zone codes (zip stands for “zone improvement plan”) introduced in the U.S. in 1963 to improve mail delivery and exploit electronic reading and sorting capabilities. . Prayers are in Hebrew. Meals are kosher kosher [Heb.,=proper, i.e., fit for use], in Judaism, term used in rabbinic literature to mean what is ritually correct, but most widely applied to food that is in accordance with dietary laws based on Old Testament passages (primarily Lev. 11 and Deut. 14). . In its quiet way, the Brandeis-Bardin Institute exists to enlighten en·light·en tr.v. en·light·ened, en·light·en·ing, en·light·ens 1. To give spiritual or intellectual insight to: those of the Jewish faith about themselves in a setting that begets harmony for all. ``Simi Valley was selected because of its topographical resemblance to Israel,'' explained Rabbi Scott Aaron, director of education for Brandeis-Bardin. Opened in Simi Valley in 1947, the institute was founded by Jewish educator Shlomo Bardin, who emigrated from the Ukraine in the 1930s to work on his doctorate at Columbia University Columbia University, mainly in New York City; founded 1754 as King's College by grant of King George II; first college in New York City, fifth oldest in the United States; one of the eight Ivy League institutions. . Stranded when World War II began, he started a kibbutz-like camp on the East Coast and moved to Simi Valley in 1947. The initial acreage of the institute was 1,700 acres; an additional 1,400 acres was donated by actor James Arness This biographical article or section needs additional references for verification. Please help [ to improve this article] by adding additional sources. Unverifiable material about living persons must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. in 1968. Bardin was inspired by the vision of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who was a strong advocate for Jewish culture and nationalism as vital for Jewish identity Jewish identity is the subjective state of perceiving oneself as as a Jew and as relating to being Jewish. Jewish identity, by this definition, does not depend on whether or not a person is regarded as a Jew by others, or by an external set of religious, or legal, or sociological . Programs at the institute use dance, drama, music, art, outdoor activities and education as well as discussions to immerse im·merse tr.v. im·mersed, im·mers·ing, im·mers·es 1. To cover completely in a liquid; submerge. 2. To baptize by submerging in water. 3. Jewish visitors and help them experience their faith. ``We see ourselves as a Jewish cultural and educational resource for the larger community,'' Aaron said. ``We are an international program, people come from all over. Most of our programs, with the exception of a few study programs, are open to non-Jews. Lots of people come to our adult weekends - we historically don't ask because we don't want anyone to feel singled out.'' More than 1,000 students, ages 4 through 26, visit Brandeis-Bardin during the summer. They attend camps that explore Jewish heritage through art and hands-on projects as well as study and teaching of traditions. Aaron said a weekend program for newlyweds that teaches the new family how to create a Jewish home is popular, especially sessions for mixed-faith couples. ``The goal of the family is to create a Jewish home and we've received wonderful feedback from non-Jewish spouses,'' he said. ``The entire reason we exist is to give Jews an opportunity to experience their Jewish life.'' A variety of programs are offered at Brandeis-Bardin, including overnight camps for youths, weekends for newly married couples, an elderhostel, family and adult scholar-in-residence experiences and the Brandeis College Institute, which promotes Jewish identity and continuity for college-age men and women. Brandeis also is a popular filming location with a variety of ``looks'' that can substitute for many settings, from rolling farmland to futuristic fu·tur·is·tic adj. 1. Of or relating to the future. 2. a. Of, characterized by, or expressing a vision of the future: futuristic decor. b. science-fiction in the House of the Book. The institute also offers conference facilities and an adventure course with a climbing tower and rock wall for team-building activities. Audiences of all faiths are welcome at the institute's annual summer series Concerts Under the Stars, which features an international variety of Jewish musical performers. A current schedule of programming is available on their Web site at www.thebbi.org. Carol Rock carol.rock(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, map Photo: The House of the Book sits high at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Map: Brandeis-Bardin Institute Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion