UNIVERSITY: Rabbi Robert Wexler, 41, who was...

UNIVERSITY: Rabbi Robert Wexler, 41, who was named this week as the next president of the University of Judaism, was praised as a talented administrator, educator and public speaker by Rabbi David Vorspan of Reseda, president of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Rabbinical Assembly.

Vorspan said that Wexler “has the ability to shape the Conservative movement of Judaism for many years to come.” Although the campus does not train rabbis, its liberal arts curriculum and continuing-education programs make it an educational focal point in the Western states for Judaism’s centrist Conservative movement.

Rabbi David Lieber, the first full-time president of the 45-year-old university, will retire this year after 30 years in the post.

Wexler, who has spent most of his career at the university on Mulholland Drive, has been vice president of administration since 1985. He lectures in Bible classes and is completing doctoral studies at UCLA in Near Eastern languages.

A native of Los Angeles, Wexler earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Judaism in 1973. He serves as chairman of the Jewish Education Committee of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles.

SEMINAR: An all-day seminar that offers to take participants “beyond the moral and spiritual exhaustion of both liberalism and conservatism” will be led next May 23 at the Congregational Church of Northridge.

The “creation-centered” seminar, which draws some of its inspiration from the eclectic philosophy of controversial Catholic priest Matthew Fox, will be led by Lawrence A. Krause, a graduate of the American Baptist Seminary of the West.

Krause’s New Creation Seminars, based in San Diego County, featured Fox in a series of Southern California lectures last year, including an appearance at the Northridge church.

Registration is $40 by mail to New Creation Seminars, P.O. Box 536, Lakeside 92040, or $45 at the meeting site, 9659 Balboa Blvd., at 8:30 a.m. next Saturday. For more information, call (619) 561-4896.

CHILDREN: A forum for children and parents to deal with fears arising from the recent rioting in Los Angeles will be led by two family counselors Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd.

Especially geared toward children between ages 5 and 12, the free forum will feature clinical psychologist Thomas F. Geary and Bonnie L. Geary, both of whom are licensed marriage, family and child counselors. Members of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department also will be present.

For more information, call (818) 993-1388.

TALK: Jay Sanderson, executive director of the Jewish Television Network, will speak on “Jews and the Media” at an 8 p.m. forum Friday at Congregation Beth Kodesh, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills.

The Los Angeles-based cable network’s programming includes “The Diane Glazer Show,” “Beyond the Headlines” and a talk show hosted by actor Robert Clary. It is on channel 65 on Cablevision and Channel 77 on United Cable in the San Fernando Valley.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.