Melton opens exciting graduate classes to all learners

By DEBORAH MOON, The Jewish Review

article created on: 2011-08-01T00:00:00

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Melton graduate courses were created for graduates of the two-year core curriculum of Florence Melton Adult Mini-School who had developed an insatiable appetite for continuing their Jewish studies.

Now Portland Melton has opened the five- and 10-week Spotlight classes (see box) to all adults in the community—both to offer rich learning opportunities to all members of the community and to whet learners’ appetites for the classic core program.

“We are offering really exciting courses this fall,” said Portland Melton Director Sarah Liebman, adding some classes have been created by Hebrew University in Jerusalem, which also developed the Classic curriculum, and some have been developed by local Melton faculty.

“Rabbi (Joshua) Stampfer has incredible recollections and reflections on the formation of the state of Israel, for which he was present,” she said. And Jan Rabinowitch, who frequently teaches classes about the Jewish roots of Christianity at churches has created a course “that looks at early development of Christianity and Judaism in that same time period.”

Last fall, Melton teacher Sylvia Frankel taught a course on the different denominations in Judaism. Now she has created a class to look at the diversity of the Orthodox world, which Liebman describes as “the most diverse Jewish movement and many people don’t realize that. This class will foster understanding.”

Melton graduates have long enjoyed these classes.

“Two years of core Melton classes just whetted my appetite for more adult Jewish education,” said Mandi Chestler. “Since graduating in spring 2008, I’ve taken about 20 in-depth 10-week Melton specialty classes. Each one has been fun, informative and taught by incredible, knowledgable professional Jewish educators. They are a great way to make friends and learn without having to spend hours studying at home.”

The phenomenon of newcomers taking a graduate (now spotlight) course and then signing up for the Classic Melton program has already happened—albeit inadvertently.

When Selma Duckler’s daughter Merridawn Duckler, a graduate of Melton, decided to take one of Rabbi Stampfer’s graduate courses a few years ago, Selma asked the rabbi if she could join too, unaware the class was for Melton graduates. The rabbi allowed her to join the class, which she described as extraordinary.

“I was both surprised and elated to find how much I learned and how sincerely and how enthusiastically I enjoyed the subject,” said Selma Duckler. “The subject enriched and strengthened my fragmentary and associated memories and enriched my identity. …I was learning what I had not expected. All these biblical stories and the relevant discussions were making connections with my own memories and deepening my understanding. So much was applicable to my present life, and today’s social and political issues.”

She said she was also impressed by her classmates, all of whom were graduates of Classic Melton.

“Moreover, the class—who had all graduated the Melton core classes—were very knowledgeable, secure and stimulating in what they commented and asked,” she said. “They were alive, vibrant, intelligent, and there was a deep connection between the class and the teacher.”

Duckler said she soon became aware of holes in her own knowledge.

“So in short time I joined, with my husband, who agreed to take a class if there were no homework, the two-year core class. It added immeasurable enrichment in history, narrative, and connections with new friends and different minds. I thought I owned this already, but I did not.”

Melton, a project of Hebrew University, is an international network of schools for adult Jewish literacy. Classic Melton provides the opportunity for adults at all levels of knowledge and practice to achieve Jewish literacy in just two years with no tests, no homework and no grades. Classes meet for two hours, once a week, 30 weeks a year, for two years.

“What Classic Melton does is truly unique,” said Liebman. “In two hours a week over two years, students get an extensive and empowering foundation in Jewish belief, practice, ethics and history.”

She said that foundation has inspired two graduates, herself included, to develop Spotlight courses. She said she sees that as a testament to the impact of Classic Melton.

In the winter term, Liebman will teach a five-week course on Jewish perspectives on interfaith marriage going back to the Torah and Talmud and up to present day.

“Jewish community views have developed and changed; there are a lot of contradictions,” Liebman said.

Another graduate, Carole Glauber, has created a five-week course on Jewish photographers for the winter term.

“Carole has done extensive research on Jewish photographers and her syllabus is very well developed and very interesting,” said Liebman.

“I highly recommend these spotlight courses, but the core program is a life-changing experience and I hope opening these courses to the community will be a gateway into Classic Melton for many,” said Liebman.

Duckler said she has continued to take spotlight classes.

“I will continue to learn and be involved in this great gift to our community,” she said.

For more information on Classic Melton or Melton’s Spotlight classes, visit www.meltonportland.org or contact the office at 503-892-3015 or melton@jewishportland.org.

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Melton Spotlight

Fall Classes Oct. 18-Jan. 3

Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict—Taught by Sylvia Frankel (curriculum from Hebrew University)

Diversity of the Orthodox World—Taught and created by Sylvia Frankel

Israel’s First 60 Years I—(part II will be offered in winter term) Rabbi Joshua Stampfer will share his recollections of the formation of the State of Israel

Judaism and Christianity—Taught and created by Jan Rabinowitch

Tales from the Talmud—Taught by Rabbi Ariel Stone, based on curriculum developed at another Melton school

Bereshit I: Analysis of the first half of Genesis from Adam to Abraham—Taught by Sylvia Frankel (curriculum from Hebrew Univ.)

Cost: $180 for Melton graduates, $225 for non-grads for the 10-Week courses; $90/105 for the five-week courses

Meet Tuesday morning and evening at Shaarie Torah and Thursday morning at Neveh Shalom. Evening classes in Clark County.

CLASSIC Melton

Two-year program to achieve Jewish literacy.

Cost: $600 per year.

Classic courses are Tuesday morning or evening at Shaarie Torah.

To register for Classic Melton or Spotlight classes, go to meltonportland.org or call the office at 503-892-3015.