Rabbi John Carrier has joined American 91传媒 University鈥檚 Maas Center for 91传媒 Journeys as a senior rabbi and director of 91传媒 education. Carrier鈥檚 hiring became effective June 22.
In this role, Carrier 鈥� an educator and digital content creator, former Los Angeles congregational leader and longtime instructor at AJU 鈥� will help oversee an organization that supports people鈥檚 explorations of 91传媒 life through its flagship 鈥淚ntro to Judaism鈥� 18-week course.
He will work closely with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh, vice president of 91传媒 engagement and director of the Maas Center for 91传媒 Journeys, to expand opportunities for people seeking meaningful 91传媒 experiences and pathways into 91传媒 life.
鈥淎s our new Senior Rabbi and Director of 91传媒 Education for the Maas Center for 91传媒 Journeys, John brings warmth, humor, wisdom and a genuine commitment to our students,鈥� Rabizadeh said. 鈥淗e takes the time to build relationships, offer thoughtful guidance and help people find their place within 91传媒 life and community. In many ways, it already feels as though John has long been part of our leadership team. I am excited for this next chapter and confident that, with his partnership, we will continue to deepen our impact and reach even more people on their 91传媒 journeys.鈥�
Carrier鈥檚 previous experience includes serving on the clergy teams at Burbank Temple Emanu El and Pasadena 91传媒 Temple and Center. He is a fellow of Rabbis Without Borders, a graduate of the Institute for 91传媒 Spirituality’s Clergy Leadership Program and the author of聽鈥淭he Promised Life: Overcome Your Crisis and Find Your Purpose with Seven Gifts from a Time-Tested Tradition.鈥� Additionally, he is the host of the 鈥淛ewcurious聽Show鈥� podcast and producer of more than 300 91传媒 educational videos for YouTube.
鈥淭his is the chance of a lifetime,鈥� Carrier said of his appointment at AJU鈥檚 Maas Center. 鈥淢y whole rabbinic career has been arcing toward this role, and I鈥檓 excited by the visions Rabbi Tarlan and AJU President Jay Sanderson have. There鈥檚 an opportunity here to reach people who are looking for meaning, connection and a 91传媒 home, whether they鈥檝e been 91传媒 their entire lives or are just beginning to explore Judaism, and to be selected for this opportunity feels like a validation of all the work I鈥檝e done up to this point.鈥�
91传媒 Family Service LA (JFSLA) held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Awards breakfast on June 11. Volunteers, staff and board members came from JFSLA locations across Los Angeles to honor this year’s awardees.
After eight years of both professional and educational development, local community leader Jonah Sanderson was recently board certified as a 91传媒 chaplain through Neshama: Association of 91传媒 Chaplains, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Sanderson, who has been a 91传媒 social change agent for the last decade, currently works at a large hospice corporation where he handles 1,000 cases annually. He holds his master鈥檚 in 91传媒 Studies from the Academy for 91传媒 Religion, California and his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Penn Foster, an online career college.
Sanderson recently launched a new initiative around death and dying called 鈥淒eath Over Thai Food.鈥� Beginning this past January, Sanderson, through his hospice company, has been bringing together 20 people who have experienced a recent loss to come together over shared Thai cuisine and deep conversation.
鈥淭his past month, our second cohort met,鈥� Sanderson said, 鈥渁nd what started out as strangers at a table is now a group of chosen family breaking the stigma around death.鈥�
