Staff & Leadership

Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh is a dynamic leader in the Jewish community who blends tradition and modernity to create meaningful Jewish experiences. Raised in Los Angeles’s Persian Jewish community, known affectionately as “Tehrangeles,” she is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusivity in her role at American Jewish University.

Rabbi Tarlan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University and a master’s in Jewish education and Hebrew literature from Hebrew Union College-JIR, where she was ordained. At AJU, she oversees the Maas Center, Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, Brandeis Camp Institute, and the AJU Community Mikvah.

Her previous roles include Director of Student Life at UCLA Hillel, Senior Jewish Educator, Jewish Emergent Network Rabbinic Fellow at The Kitchen in San Francisco, and faculty member at Milken Community High School.

Rabbi Myra Meskin is the Associate Director of the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys at the AJU, where she’s honored to walk with those engaging in meaningful identity formation through the Ziering BCI Program, the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, Marriage for Life and the AJU Community Mikveh. A graduate of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, she holds a Masters in Experiential Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and studied in the Pardes Experiential Educators Program. Rabbi Myra doesn’t drink coffee, but loves coffee flavored everything (Greek yogurt, ice cream, blended mocha drinks, etc.). She loves yoga, hiking, and singing – whether alone in the car (preferably with country radio turned up and the windows down) or with friends around a Shabbat table, though her singing highlight of the year is in the BCI rotunda. She recently moved back to Los Angeles, her favorite blended landscape of ocean and mountains, with her husband Rabbi Ben Gurin and their daughters Eleanor and Jaynie.

Meet Benjamin Wright, Associate Director of the Miller Intro to Judaism Program. Whether you’re a current student, an affiliate or you are just interested in starting your Jewish journey or becoming a Miller Intro partner, Ben is your go-to person. He is happy to walk all students through the process, provide class information, and guidance when it comes to materials, payment, or anything else, and is also here to help program affiliates with any of their questions and needs.  Never hesitate to email Ben directly at intro@aju.edu. He is here to make your experience as seamless as possible.

Stepping into the role of Mikvah Manager, Rachel Marcus is a recent and vital addition to our team. She brings an enthusiasm for guiding individuals through holy transitional moments and developing engaging mikvah programs. A native Angeleno and alumna of BCI, Rachel’s roots in LA, as well as her experience at New Jew (De Toledo), give her a deep understanding of the community.

Born and raised in Israel, Gil is fluent in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. His move to the US at age 12 and his involvement in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) and National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) shaped his commitment to remaining active in the Jewish community. At American Jewish University, Gil oversees the Maas Center’s daily operations and strategic initiatives, supporting the team and promoting program growth to positively impact more people.

With years of operational leadership experience, Gil Marom Nielsen has significantly advanced fast-paced startups by optimizing talent acquisition, refining workflows, and leading cross-functional teams to exceed strategic goals. Previously serving as the Director of Operations for a marketing agency, he enhanced employee performance, facilitated collaborative initiatives, and drove substantial business growth. Notably, Gil served as the marketing lead for the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, focusing on education as a powerful antidote to antisemitism.

Gil believes that the work at The Maas Center and AJU is crucial in today’s world, with education serving as a key to fostering understanding, connection, and collaboration across diverse communities.

A Redondo Beach native and UC Santa Cruz graduate, Sarah brings a strong background in nonprofit work and community-centered organizations. Sarah supports Maas Center and the Miller Intro to Judaism program. She is excited to welcome anyone who wants to bring more Jewish into their life and the world.

Janet Djalilmand is the Miller Intro to Judaism Affiliates Manager and supports all of the Miller Affiliates. Prior to this, Janet supported the Valley Beth Shalom clergy team for many years. Whether you are looking to become an Affiliate or find a community near you, Janet is happy to guide you and help you get the answers you need. If you have any inquiries, you can reach her at affiliates@aju.edu.

Rabbi Patricia Fenton earned a B.S. from U.C. Berkeley, a B.A. from the American Jewish University & her Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She currently serves as a lecturer at the Ziegler School of Rabbinics as well as the School for Jewish Education and Leadership– where she also Directs the Ostrow Academic and Sperber Community Libraries.

Rabbi Pat has been teaching the Intro to Judaism class for 8 years! Please feel free to reach her at PFenton@aju.edu

Rabbi John Carrier is an educator and community rabbi in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rabbi Carrier has taught the Miller Intro to Judaism class for over ten years. After ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University in 2014, he served as Rabbi of Burbank Temple Emanu El and Senior Rabbi of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. In 2023, Rabbi Carrier moved to Minnesota to be closer to family, and there, he teaches Hebrew and Judaics to elementary and high school students, as well as adult education classes on various Jewish subjects. He continues creating content for his popular “Rabbi John Carrier” YouTube channel and podcast, The Jewcurious Show.

Rabbi Herschel “Brodie” Aberson graduated from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where he developed a passion for text, teaching, and human relationships. He has served as a congregational rabbi in Phoenix, AZ, and has been teaching at the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program since 2022. When not teaching, he studies vocal performance at LA Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA, and tends to the demands of his three beloved cats.

Daniel Mehlman is the rabbi of Temple Ner Tamid in Downey, CA. He is also a prison chaplain and counsels inmates for the state of California at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was heavily influenced by his mentor, the late Rabbi Marshall Meyer, a disciple of Heschel. Rabbi Meyer changed the face of Judaism across all of Latin America. Rabbi Mehlman studied at the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano, founded and led by Rabbi Meyer, and after one year, he moved to Israel, where he lived for 13 years. He met his wife there, with whom he moved to the United States. Rabbi Mehlman returned to rabbinical school in 1996 and completed his S’micha in 2000 at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles. He has held pulpits in Reno, Nevada; Jacksonville, Florida; Ojai, Studio City; and Downey, California.

After 25 wonderful years serving a vibrant congregation, Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard decided to step away from the pulpit to explore new and meaningful ways of contributing to the Jewish community. This journey has led him to become the Director of Clergy Engagement at the Center for Jewish Food Ethics, co-found the Valley Chevra Kadisha, and work toward bringing green burial practices to the Jewish community. In July 2025, he will become the rabbi at Temple Shalom of the South Bay. He and his wife Laurie live in the San Fernando Valley, are parents to three grown sons, and share their home with three bed-sharing dogs and four noisy chickens.

Rabbi Janice Mehring has been teaching the Miller Intro curriculum for eight years. She is Rabbi Emerita at Congregation Ohr Tzafon in Atascadero, CA. Rabbi Janice received a BS from UCLA, an MS from USC and her rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion, California. She serves her community as a Board member of Hospice, San Luis Obispo County and a scholarship evaluator for the SLO Community Foundation. Rabbi Janice loves travel, quilting, and is working on a memoir and a compilation of sermons from her time as a congregational rabbi.  After retiring from her pulpit in 2021, she continues to work at the best parts of her job – officiating at life cycles events throughout the country and teaching the Miller Intro to Judaism course, which she has been doing since 2012. We are lucky to have her join us for another year of learning– you won’t want to miss this opportunity!