Loyola Marymount University (LMU), formerly St. Vincent’s College, is a Jesuit and Marymount research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is the largest Catholic university on the West Coast of the United States. Since 2023, the Jewish Studies department at LMU has sent its undergraduate students on a 5-week long summer internship at Etz Hayyim Synagogue.
For this internship, the LMU student helps with ongoing efforts to memorialize the Jews of Crete, a community with ancient roots and a proud history of religious and cultural achievements. Working closely with the staff and volunteers of Etz Hayyim synagogue, and the associated historical center, the student assists in the revival and growth of the Jewish community in diverse ways, including research at archives and area sites, leading tours for visitors, curating social and print media, and more.
During their internship, students are expected to post a weekly blog of their experiences for the LMU Jewish Studies website. Upon their return to campus, students will complete their work and present their project at a program co-sponsored by the Jewish Studies and Classics departments.
Noah Niksefat, the inaugural intern from the LMU Jewish Studies internship program. Read more about his internship experience at the synagogue here.