When Rabbi Robert Wexler takes the helm...

When Rabbi Robert Wexler takes the helm of the University of Judaism on Sept. 1, he hopes to continue to increase the enrollment and community involvement of the institution.

He succeeds Rabbi David Lieber, who will return to teaching after nearly 30 years as the school’s first full-time president.

Wexler, 41, is vice president of administration, a position he has held since 1986, and a faculty member lecturing in the Bible.

The University of Judaism, at the summit of Mulholland Drive in Bel-Air, comprises Lee College, a liberal arts school, and graduate professional schools in education, business and rabbinical studies.

Wexler said he hopes to build the enrollment of the college, now about 90, to 5,000. “What we’re looking forward to is a re-creation of committed leaders for the Jewish community and Jewish leaders for the general community,” he said.

“In the ‘60s generation and afterward, the Jewish home was not always able to transmit the venerated Jewish value of contributing to the community. Most of our undergraduates will go on to become teachers, lawyers and business people. But they will be so comfortably grounded in their own heritage that it will be unthinkable for them not to contribute to (the Jewish) community and the community at large,” he said.

“Our goal is to provide education for professional leadership . . . and also for lay leadership.”

The new president plans expansion of the university’s graduate programs, including its MBA program for managers of religious and secular nonprofit organizations. But he said Lee College, which opened in 1982 with fewer than 10 students, has become the core of the university and will remain so. Its curriculum--which offers majors in psychology, bioethics, political science, world literature, business and Jewish studies--emphasizes the coexistence throughout history of Jewish culture with larger, dominant cultures.

The university also has two policy institutes, an adult education school and cultural arts programs. Wexler said that, although it receives support from the Conservative movement, it is independent and serves the entire Jewish community.

Wexler added that he envisions greater involvement for the university with other institutions of higher education. “I’m interested in meeting with other liberal arts institutions that see themselves as representing a religious tradition,” Wexler said. “We could exchange ideas about how those values get translated into curriculum.” He said he might be interested in establishing a consortium of religion-oriented liberal arts colleges.

HONORS

The Rev. James D. Brown, pastor of St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, has been elected executive director of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He begins his four-year term Sept. 15.

Gethin Benwil Hughes was invested last month as the third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, becoming 874th bishop of the Episcopal Church. For 12 years, he had been rector of All Saints-by-the-Sea Church, Santa Barbara. Before that he served on the Los Angeles diocesan staff on stewardship and development.

Harold Caminker stepped up to the pulpit Friday as the new rabbi of Temple Solael in West Hills. The temple will hold open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, and on several upcoming Sundays. The address is 6601 Valley Circle Blvd. (818) 348-3885.

CELEBRATIONS

First Congregational Church of Los Angeles kicks off its 125th anniversary celebration Sunday with worship services at 11 a.m. and a luncheon. Fifty-year members will be honored. Founded July 21, 1867, the church claims to be the oldest Protestant church in continuous operation in Los Angeles. It is at 540 S. Commonwealth Avenue at 6th Street. (213) 385-1341.

The Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara temple will observe Esala Poya (Full Moon) Day on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pali-language chanting and English sermons will be offered. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming full moon days will be observed Aug. 16 and Sept. 13. The Vihara offers free meditation classes Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Pali language classes Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1847 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 737-5084.

DATES

As a response to the Los Angeles riots, the Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene is sponsoring a street fair for the Mid-Wilshire community Saturday, July 25, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Games, entertainment and free hot dogs and popcorn will be offered. People are encouraged to bring discarded items suitable for resale. Money raised from these donations will be used to rebuild a thrift shop and church in Echo Park that burned during the riots. The fair will be at 3401 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (213) 385-6345.

The National Conference of Christians and Jews is sponsoring an interreligious dialogue program open to members of all faiths. It consists of six sessions weekly, beginning Wednesday. Hours are 7:45 to 9:30 p.m. There is an optional fee of $7 for materials. The sessions will be at Congregation Beth Kodesh, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. (818) 348-0267.

The Filipino American Catechetical Summer Institute will be held next Monday through Friday at Loyola Marymount University. It is designed for Filipino-Americans and others serving the Filipino community. Courses include “Importance of Culture in Filipino Religiosity.” For information on course credit, auditing and tuition, phone (310) 338-2799 or (213) 251-2669.

Two representatives of Habitat for Humanity, a Christian organization that uses volunteer labor and donated goods to build affordable housing for the poor, will speak at Sabbath eve services at Adat Ari El on Friday, July 24, at 6 p.m. The address is 12020 Burbank Blvd. at Laurel Canyon, North Hollywood. (818) 766-9426.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA , 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event.