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 Director of the Marilyn & Sigi Ziering Brandeis Camp Institute (BCI), where she’s honored to walk with those engaging in life’s biggest questions. 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. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys yoga, hiking, singing, and has a unique love of coffee-flavored foods. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Rabbi Ben Gurin, and their daughters, Eleanor and Jaynie.

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.

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. 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.

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.

A Los Angeles 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.

Rabbi Patricia Fenton brings eight years of experience teaching the Intro to Judaism class. A lecturer at both the Ziegler School of Rabbinics and the School for Jewish Education and Leadership, she also serves as Director of the Ostrow Academic and Sperber Community Libraries. Rabbi Fenton holds a B.S. from UC Berkeley, a B.A. from American Jewish University, and received her rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi John Carrier is a Minnesota-based educator who has taught the Miller Intro to Judaism class for over a decade. Ordained from the Ziegler School in 2014, he served congregations in Burbank and Pasadena before relocating to Minneapolis in 2023. He now teaches Hebrew and Judaics to students of all ages while producing content for his “Rabbi John Carrier” YouTube channel and The Jewcurious Show podcast.

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.

Rabbi Daniel Mehlman leads Temple Ner Tamid in Downey, California, while serving as a prison chaplain at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, he was mentored by Rabbi Marshall Meyer, a student of Heschel who transformed Judaism across Latin America. After studying at the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano and spending thirteen years in Israel, where he met his wife, Rabbi Mehlman completed his S’micha at Los Angeles’ Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2000. His rabbinate has included pulpits in Nevada, Florida, and throughout California, including Reno, Jacksonville, Ojai, Studio City, and Downey.

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, Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Ohr Tzafon in Atascadero, CA, has been teaching the Miller Intro to Judaism course since 2012. She received her BS from UCLA, MS from USC and rabbinic ordination from Academy for Jewish Religion, California. Since retiring from her pulpit in 2021, she has kept the best parts of her job – officiating at weddings across the country and teaching the Miller Intro to Judaism course. We are lucky to have her join us for another year of learning- you won’t want to miss this opportunity!