Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

The Melton Mini-School provides adult learners with the opportunity to improve their Jewish literacy. The engaging style of the curriculum creates a learning environment that makes this goal easily attainable and the process quite fulfilling. Though intense and comprehensive, the course speaks to learners of all levels and backgrounds. View a list of our graduates!

Developed by a team of scholars and educators at the Melton Center for Jewish Education at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the program offers:

• University-level curriculum and instructors
• An interactive, engaging style of teaching - not a lecture
• Participants from the spectrum of Jewish backgrounds, which enhances and broadens the learning experience 
• No tests. No homework. No outside reading assignments.

Each module (Rhythms, Purposes, Dramas, and Ethics) is divided into 30 lessons that address specific themes and topics.  In a given lesson, an overview of the topic will be introduced to the class. The teacher may point out particular issues that arise from its discussion and will procede to share "texts" (excerpts from Jewish resources including Bible, Talmud, contemporary rabbis, etc.) that present different views and elicit a wide range of responses from the students. All questions are encouraged, as the sharing of ideas is what makes this style of learning so meaningful.

The texts included in each lesson have been chosen specifically to point out different views on an issue, rather than provide students with an answer (as there can be many). The choice of texts in the curriculum is the key to maintaining the pluralistic nature of the course. By crossing congregational  lines and including a variety of opinions, no particular view, movement, or agenda is promoted. This is, by no means, a "how to" course. 

Another feature of the curriculum is the development of the students' abilities in text study. This skill becomes an invaluable asset to our students, as many will seek additional opportunities to satisfy their newly found desire for lifelong learning.  

The two year course covers:

Year 1
Rhythms of Jewish Living: Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly observances and life-cycle events. 
Purposes of Jewish Living: Essential Jewish beliefs and ideas as they unfold in the Bible and other sacred texts.

 Year 2
Dramas of Jewish Living: An examination of movements, trends and events that have shaped and influenced Jewish History and made us who we are today.
Ethics of Jewish Living: A text-based approach to Jewish values and ethics covering issues such as justice, life and death, sexuality and community.

Melton "Redux"
Melton Graduates are invited to revisit the classroom.  Experience the evolution of the curriculum, study with new teachers, and interact with different students.  Now you can encourage a friend to enroll in Melton and share in the journey (but at a greatly reduced rate that includes memership in the Alumni Association)!  Call for more details.

View a Sample Syllabus for Year 1 & 2 or contact Jeff Goldenberg at 913-327-4647 to listen to a sample class.

Students attend class once each week for 30 weeks during the school year (one year at a time). Each module is presented by a different teacher for one hour (two hours total, each class meeting).  

(An hour long class is forming at Beth Torah for the coming school year.  It will meet 10:00 - 11:00 am on Sunday mornings.  Contact Jeff Goldenberg for details.)

Melton course fees can be paid over a three or six-month period. Group discounts and scholarships are available. Childcare is available during most sessions. 

Start making plans for Fall 2010.  

Enroll online, or contact Jeff Goldenberg at 913-327-4647 or jeffg@jewishkc.org for details.

Foundations of Jewish Family Living
Values for Parents to Share with Their Children
This a new curriculum for parents that provides a serious encounter with the core values of Judaism. Developed by the renowned Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a project of the Hebrew University, the curriculum brings to life the master stories from our tradition and the messages they convey. This rich learning experience for adults will provide an opportunity for you to bring the Jewish conversation home to share with your young child. At a time in your family's life when your child is beginning his or her own Jewish education, Foundations of Jewish Family Living offers you the learning, the language, and the confidence to be a teacher to your own children.  View the Foundations hand out for additional information!
Offered: Oct 13 - Jan 19 Wed 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Edna Levy
Fee: $200

Melton Israel Seminar
Melton students and graduates will discover Israel's history and mystery firsthand, with some extraordinary teachers as guides: Melton Seminar Director Haim Aronovitz leads a cadre of talented scholars several times throughtout the year.  These trips provide Melton grads and serious adult learners with a remarkable experience!
For more information on 2010 Israel Seminars, visit the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School website.

For more information on these and other upcoming courses and programs, contact Jeff Goldenberg, Director of Adult Jewish Learning, at 913-327-4647, or jeffg@jewishkc.org.