Dr. Samuel Dinin
Dr. Samuel Dinin was a central figure in the development of significant Jewish education agencies and resources in Los Angeles. His long list of accomplishments spans the founding and leadership of several long standing institutions that are the backbone of the Jewish community including the Bureau of Jewish Education (now called BJE: Builders of Jewish Education), The University of Judaism (now called American Jewish University), Los Angeles Hebrew High School, and Camp Ramah in California.
After a successful career training educators in New York, Dr. Dinin moved west and, in 1945, he launched the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles to promote Jewish learning. Following its launch, he continued on as the Bureau's first full-time executive director. During his tenure in this role, he spearheaded the professionalization of Jewish teaching in Los Angeles, an endeavor that had ripple effects across the country and an enormous influence on generations of Jewish educators.
Additionally, Dr. Dinin wrote widely on Jewish learning and, for many years, was editor of Jewish Education, a national professional journal and trusted education resource.
In his honor and memory, we, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have created the Dr. Samuel Dinin Professional Development Fund through Builders of Jewish Education.