Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning open for registration

Would you like a structured course where you can learn, discuss and debate with others from across the Jewish spectrum in a stimulating and nonjudgmental environment?

How about a world-class curriculum and outstanding faculty, that leads to a profound understanding of what it means to be Jewish?

If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, an interactive, pluralistic learning model, was designed with you in mind.

Temple Shalom, the sole provider of the Melton School in our area, is privileged and delighted to host the Melton School and offer this valuable resource for our community once again this winter.

No homework, no exams or Hebrew required.

With its international headquarters at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Melton School forms an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational and intellectually stimulating learning environment.

The Florence Melton School of Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. Founded in 1980, at the initiative of Florence Zacks Melton, a community activist and longtime supporter of Jewish education, the Melton School initially opened with three pilot sites in North America. Driven by her vision, there are now 50 Melton Schools throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, attended weekly by 4,000 students.

Melton learning comes to play a significant role in students’ lives — impacting conversations with family and friends about life’s most important issues, influencing family decisions, connecting them more deeply to their community and significantly changing the way they view themselves as adult Jews.

What makes Melton learning transformative?

• The texts themselves -- ancient and modern -- connect students to the past, present and future in powerful ways. Textbased study is a link to enduring Jewish values and ideas, and the opportunity to engage with these timeless sources through a systematic, proven curriculum is empowering.

• Our rabbis encourage students to ask higher-level questions and to make connections between the texts and their lives. Through this type of learning, you will create a meaningful community with your peers.

“Most of us are frozen in time in our Bar and Bat Mitzvah aged bodies. The Melton program helps make that transition to the adult Jewish world, not only for ourselves, but for the future of our families.”

“Melton is for everyone who thinks they know a great deal about Judaism as well as those of us who realize how much more there is to learn. It’s the Jewish education that I never had. Every week, it’s inspiring, stimulating, thought-provoking and fun. My husband and I frequently find ourselves discussing Torah and the Bible. Prior to this course, this was not the case!”

With Temple Shalom’s Senior Rabbi, Adam Miller, and Director of Lifelong Learning, Rabbi Boxman, along with special guest lecturers, our students ask questions that lead to discussion. Discussion leads to understanding and understanding leads to more questions. This unique environment turns education into an experience that becomes more fulfilling over a lifetime and guides your journey to a more fulfilling Jewish life and community experience.

To learn more and sign up for Melton, call or email Temple Shalom at 239-455- 3030 or info@naplestemple.org.