Karaite Jewish University (KJU) is an independent non-profit Californian Corporation that is not formerly associated with any other Karaite organization. KJU has received the permission of the Moetzet Hakhamim (Council of Sages), to teach an Introduction to Judaism course.  This course may lead to a conversion conducted by a Bet Din that is appointed by the Moetzet Hakhamim.

Welcome to the Karaite Jewish University Board of Director's website.  At the current time we are accepting applications for our third Introduction to Judaism course which is scheduled for Spring of 2009. If you are interested in applying, please click on the link entitled “Application Process".

We have been blessed with a board and faculty whose dedication has permitted the first United States Karaite Jewish institution of higher learning to exist. Our diversification includes native born Israeli and American Karaite Jews of Egyptian origin, former Orthodox Jews who have accepted Karaite Judaism and converts to Karaite Judaism.  Our first graduates included students from Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada and the United States.

Chancellor: Hakham Meir Yosef Rekhavi is the editor of the "Biblical Passover Haggadah" and co-author of "As It is Written: A Brief Case for Karaism."  His writtings on selected subjects can be found at: http://www.karaites.org.uk/.  He was a student of the late Karaite Hakham Mordecai Alfandari, z'tl and his path to Karaite Judaism is can be accessed at: 
 http://www.karaites.org.uk/my_journey.shtml

As the main Professor, he will teach many of the lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course.

Provost: Hakham Nehemia Gordon had previously been an advisor to the Board of Directors. He also serves as a founding leader of the World Karaite Movement www.karaite-korner.org, sits on the Religious Council of Universal Karaite Judaism (UKJ), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the ancient Karaite Synagogue in Jerusalem. He has his Masters Degree in Biblical Studies from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and wrote his Masters Thesis on the biblical exegesis of the 9th century Karaite sage Daniel al-Kumisi. He also translated a number of texts published in the Dead Sea Scrolls Reader and was an assistant on the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project.

He acts in the capacity to oversee all aspects of the University relating to teaching, research and scholarship, as well as those areas that support a vigorous and healthy environment of learning at KJU. He will in close collaboration with the Chancellor, also spends considerable time planning the future direction of KJU in developing the University's academic and strategic initiatives, developing university policies and leading capital projects.  As a Professor, he will teach lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course.

Vice-Chancellor:  Rabbi Moshe Yosef Firrouz of Beer-Sheva is a member of the Moetzet Hakhamim committee which is under the auspices of UKJ. This committee deals with many of the religious issues including aliyah and conversion as it relates to the Karaites within Israel. He has over 5 years of experience working in committee positions with UKJ and affiliated organizations. Mr. Firrouz is currently employed as a System Engineer and Lab Team Support with the Computer Science Department of Ben-Gurion University.  He holds a degrees in BS in Nuclear Engineering and MS Management & Safety Engineering from Ben-Gurion University. As a Professor, he will teach lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course

Dean of Academics:   Dr. Shawn Lichaa has a JD from the University of California, Berkeley Law School.  He has passed the California Bar Exam and is licensed to practice law.  He received his BA in Economics at the University of California, San Diego.  While in San Diego, He served as a Hebrew School Teacher for a Conservative Jewish congregation in Del Mar, California.  Upon graduating, He worked for Alpha Epsilon Pi, North America’s Jewish Fraternity.  In his third and final year working for the fraternity, He served as the Director of Jewish Programming, forging relationships with partner organizations and inspiring the next generation of Jewish youth to become active participants in Jewish causes.  He also has done extensive volunteer work with the Karaite Jews of America (KJA).  His publications include co-authoring “As it is Written: A Brief Case for Karaism,” the succinct introduction to Karaite Judaism and its philosophy. 

Dean of the Spanish Division:  Daniel ben-Immanuel López, holds a MA in Applied Linguistics.  He was the firstborn to a descendant of Anussim from Puerto Rico, and was circumcised as a newborn. He will co-ordinate all Spanish speaking applications and translate the KJU teaching materials into Spanish.  As a Professor, he will teach lessons for English the Introduction to Judaism Course as well as the Spanish the Introduction to Judaism Course.

Board Member: Dr. Eli'ezer Ben Efraim HaKohen, holds a LLB and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Western State University College of Law, San Diego. As a Professor, He will teach lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course. He has been married since 1972 and has two children. 

Technical Manager and Web Master: Yochanan Zaqantov holds a MBA from St. John Fisher College. He is currently holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI).  As a member of that organization, he held the position of Board Member/Web Master for the Rochester, NY chapter of PMI. He also reinstituted the Information Technology Special Interest Group and served as its Chairman. He still maintains his affiliation and credentials with PMI.  Additionally, his education credentials include a BAAS and an AAS in Computer Programming from The University of Texas – Brownsville. He has taught post-secondary courses in Computers and Liberal Arts.  His weekly Tanakh Studies can be found at the www.karaitejudaism.org.  His article on "My search for the Aviv" was published in the April 2007 edition of the KJA's Bulletin.  As a Professor, he will teach lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course.  He is married and has a daughter.

Administrative Secretary: Tsadoq ben Avraham Avinu is currently attending California State University Sacramento's M.S. program in Speech-Language Pathology. Born to a Christian family, he studied the Bible from an early age.  In 2001 he became an independently Ordained Minister. His short lived career in ministry ended when, through study, he realized that YHWH alone is Savior. He formally converted to Judaism in 2006 through the Conservative movement. In 2007, he was among KJU's first graduating class. He was humbled to have his KJU essay "The Commandment of Loving YHWH" published in the April 2007 edition of the KJA's Bulletin. He has authored an unpublished work entitled "Gods Your Forefathers Did Not Know". As a Professor, he will teach lessons for the Introduction to Judaism Course.  He is a dedicated husband and family man.

Treasurer and Board Member: Hadar Davidi received her certification as a Bookkeeper in 1984 and has since been involved with a number of well-known international corporations. She is familiar with being both Board Member and Treasurer as well as having experience with Distance Education since 1977. Non-profit organizations are her corporations of preference and she strives to enhance the efficiency of them for the benefit all concerned. Born and raised in a large cosmopolitan city, she is accustomed to dealing with people from many different cultural backgrounds.