Arthur Gross Schaefer

Rabbi Arthur Gross Schaefer is the author of the THE RABBI DANIELS MYSTERIES. When he's not writing mysteries, Arthur Gross Schaefer is a professor of marketing and business law at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and rabbi to the congregation at Community Shul of Montecito.

He's been a member of the faculty at LMU since 1978, including time spent as both chair and co-chair of the Department of Marketing and Business Law. The Princeton Review featured Gross Schaefer in the 2012 edition of “The 300 Best Professors.” Before joining the LMU faculty, he taught at the University of Southern California, Boston University and the Western States School of Law.

He is a past president of the Pacific Southwest Academy of Legal Studies, representative to National Conference of the Pacific Southwest Region of Reform Rabbis, and a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is also a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, Beta Gamma Sigma, the California State Bar Association, the California Society of Public Accountants and has earned more than a dozen teaching awards and published over 150 articles.

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He received his rabbinic ordination master's degree from Hebrew University, and earned his J.D. from Boston University, and an additional bachelor's degree in accounting from USC.

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In addition to his roles as as an author, rabbi and law professor, Schaefer is also a C.P.A., a legal ethicist, a mediator, an advocate for Israel, a voice for peace in the Middle East, a husband, a father, a friend and a deeply committed Jew.

He has been a rabbi in Hollywood, Ojai, and at USC Hillel. He once served as rabbi to Congregation B’nai B’rith in Santa Barbara and carries on an active involvement with them and the other local Jewish congregations as well.

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As an educator, rabbi, and lawyer, Gross Schaefer provides leadership and consultation in the areas of religion, public education, and ethics. He has helped new immigrant communities, Native Americans, Quakers, rabbis, and lawyers with issues of burnout, sexual misconduct, and diversity.

He has also created ethics and wellness audits for rabbis and synagogues; as a respected consultant, he frequently provides guidance on legal issues facing clergy, and is a frequent presenter on ethical issues.

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Gross Schaefer conducted workshops and written on a variety of topics including ethics audits for synagogues, rabbi burnout, dealing with the December Dilemma, and ethical and legal issues facing lesbian and gay couples.

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He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Laurie, a textiles artist. The couple have three grown sons.

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