American Jewish University's Platt/Borstein Galleries are proud to present Service: Military, Arts & Transformation, which will open on May 11 and run through July 19. The exhibition highlights the work of five artists who served in a branch of the military and/or continue to serve in the reserves. The artists include Jim Cohen (NM), metalwork; Thomas Dang (CA), ceramics; Joan Pahoyo (CA), photography; Ehren Tool (CA), ceramic cups; and in memory of Dave Fox (CA), pen and ink and computer graphics. Also included is artwork created in the Artist in Residence program at New Directions for Veterans, Los Angeles.

The exhibit brings attention to the role of art in the military and how it has transformed the lives of veterans who are recovering from the effects of war. The hands-on workshops at New Directions for Veterans focus on tikkun olam (to repair the world). Veterans in this program produce a series of ceramic cups and photographs that tell their story. Ehren Tool's ceramic cups pay tribute to the role of Jewish soldiers in the U.S. military from the Civil War to the present.

The exhibition is in conjunction with the recently released "Craft in America" episode, "SERVICE," which is part of the PBS veterans initiative Stories of Service. It is the story of craft and the military and documents the power of the handmade to inspire, motivate and heal. Ehren Tool is one of the featured artists. Service will be available for viewing throughout the run of the exhibition.

There are several events planned in conjunction with the exhibition. All are free and open to the public.

• The kick-off event, What it Means to Go to War, and What it Means to Heal: A Jewish Perspective, will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 12pm at the Craft in America Center, 8413 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048. There will be a lunchtime program as part of the Jewish Wisdom & Wellness: A Festival of Learning.
• The formal reception for the exhibition will be held Sunday, May 31, 3-5pm at American Jewish University.
• AJU will host a panel discussion and show the Craft in America Service episode on Sunday, June 14, 3-5pm.
• Finally, there will be a Tribute to Veterans on Sunday, July 19, 3-5pm.

Service: Military, Arts & Transformation is in conjunction with exhibitions at the Craft in America Center, and the Lowy-Winkler Family Rare Book Room, Ostrow Library, AJU. The exhibition is sponsored by the Fine Arts Council of the Platt/Borstein Galleries.

The exhibition is curated by Georgia Freedman-Harvey. The Fine Arts Council Chair is Judith Miller. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit AJU online at www.aju.edu or call (310) 476-9777.

American Jewish University is a recognized leader in providing world class, Jewish educational and cultural opportunities. Everything we do is designed to inspire and engage people of all ages and backgrounds. American Jewish University (founded in 1947) is a thriving center of Jewish resources and talent built upon the mission of Jewish learning, Culture, Ethics, Leadership and Peoplehood. In 2007, the University of Judaism merged with Brandeis-Bardin creating a landmark entity, American Jewish University, with two campuses, a single vision and a shared future. Today American Jewish University is one of the largest and most innovative Jewish institutions in the country. More information online at www.aju.edu