More About The Panelists:

Jonathan Grunin

Jonathan Grunin was born and raised in New York. He received his BA in political science with a concentration in courts and justice from SUNY Buffalo. Upon graduation, Jonathan worked for Long Beach Hillel as the Campus Director and then transitioned to AIPAC in the LA office working on their campaign. Jonathan currently works for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles as part of the Community Engagement team, reaching out to various communities around Los Angeles and building working partnerships between them and major Jewish institutions. He also directs the Campus Impact Network, a program that works to curb BDS initiatives on our neighborhood campuses in LA.

Rabbi Aaron Lerner

Rabbi Aaron Lerner currently serves as Executive Director at UCLA Hillel. He received ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah with an emphasis in education as a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Prior to entering the world of education, Rabbi Aaron worked for more than a decade in commercial real estate finance after graduating from USC’s Marshall School of Business. Originating from an intermarried family but ordained as an Orthodox rabbi, Aaron embodies a pluralistic approach to Jewish life. He believes that Judaism offers a profound value proposition, with each and every individual connecting in their own unique way. Rabbi Aaron lives in Los Angeles with wife Dr. Rachel Lerner and their three daughters. 

Rabbi Zachary Zysman

Rabbi Zachary Zysman was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.  He received his BA in early childhood education from San Francisco State University, MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College, MA in Hebrew Letters and MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College where he also received rabbinic ordination.  Rabbi Zysman currently serves as the campus rabbi and director of Jewish life at Loyola Marymount University and hopes to weave together his many years in Jewish education with his rabbinic training to make a significant and measurable difference in people’s Jewish, spiritual, and religious lives.