Melton classes draw big, diverse audience

By PAUL HAIST

article created on: 2008-11-01T00:00:00

If you think the Florence Melton Adult Mini-school in Portland is just for seasoned veterans of active Jewish community life, think again.

FMAM Director Sarah Liebman says that for many of the program’s students it is “their first Jewish thing.”

It’s a two-year program of Jewish study—with graduate study opportunities also—that this year has attracted some 150 students.

“I used to think that Melton was not a gateway activity,” said Liebman. “But we really are reaching people who haven’t been involved or affiliated.”

She added that when students complete their program at Melton, it doesn’t end there.

“Once someone does get involved with Melton, they get incredibly more involved across the community,” said Liebman.

She points to the students’ follow-up evaluations where many report increased activity in Jewish life as a consequence of their Melton experience.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents report that they began or increased observance of Jewish holidays. Thirty-two percent began or stepped up Shabbat observance and 51 percent reported contributing more time and money to Jewish institutions.

Another factor that points to the Melton program’s effectiveness here, according to Liebman, is the fact they most of the program’s continuing strong enrollment comes from word of mouth, from Melton students telling others about their experience.

“People are having great experiences at Melton and are telling their friends,” said Liebman.

The 150 students enrolled in the Melton two-year core program and its graduate program is not a record, but Liebman called it “robust,” especially in the current challenging economic times. Core program tuition is $705, $550 for subsidized students. Tuition for the 10-week graduate program is $180.

“We were a little nervous about the economy and the transition,” said Liebman, referring not only to the economic downturn but also the recent change of Melton program directors. The change in directors came last May in the middle of student recruitment for the program’s fall term.

Liebman credited Mimi Epstein for keeping enrollment moving during the transition. Epstein stepped in then as interim director until Liebman was hired.

First-year enrollment is up 12 students this year over last year, said Liebman—57 versus 45, which points to continued strength for next year.

Enrollment in graduate programs this year is 50, which is about twice what it was last year, and Liebmen said she expects enrollment to grow in the winter and spring terms.

Winter term, which begins Jan. 6, will bring new class offerings in the graduate arena.

Rabbi Annette Koch of Beit Haverim/South Metro Jewish Congregation in West Linn will lead classes in “The World of Yiddish Culture” in winter term.

Also in winter term Rabbi Ariel Stone of Portland’s Congregation Shir Tikvah will lead sessions on “The Mystical Sefirot.”

Spring term, which begins March 17, will bring a new class from Linda Maizels who will lead “Jews and Islam.”

Continuing graduate courses throughout fall, winter and spring terms include Rabbi Joshua Stampfer’s popular “Making of Jewish Character” and Jan Rabinowitch’s Tanakh series.

This fall Dr. Sylvia Frankel is teaching a scholars’ curriculum, “Shemot: From Slavery to Sinai” in the graduate program.

Melton’s two-year core program comprises a first year of 30 lessons focusing on the rhythms of Jewish living and 30 lessons on the purposes of Jewish living and a second year of 30 lessons on the ethics of Jewish living and 30 lessons on the dramas of Jewish living throughout the ages.

In Portland, core classes take place on Tuesdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom with morning and evening class options.

First-year core classes also take place in Clark County at Congregation Kol Ami on Wednesday nights.

For additional information contact the Melton office 503-892-3015, melton@jewishportland.org or visit their Web site at www.meltonportland.org.