The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is an exciting concept in adult Jewish learning that provides learners the opportunity to obtain a basic – yet comprehensive and sophisticated – core of Jewish knowledge.  Developed by a team of scholars and educators at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1986, the Mini-School now educates 4500 learners in 62 cities in North America and around the world each year.  Participants who complete the program receive a Certificate of Jewish Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The curriculum is based on the study of primary Jewish sources in translation, and is specifically structured to be appropriate for all forms of Jewish commitment.  The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is not affiliated with any branch of Judaism.

First year courses consist of:

The Rhythms of Jewish Living – The idea, beliefs and practices that define and shape a Jewish life: prayers, rituals, customs, holidays, and life-cycle events.

The Purposes of Jewish Living – Essential Jewish concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible and other sacred texts.

Second year courses consist of:

The Dramas of Jewish Living - An examination of the movements, trends, and events that have shaped and influenced our people's history and have made us who we are today.

The Ethics of Jewish Living – A text-based approach to Jewish values clarification and applied ethics, covering such issues as justice, life and death, sexuality and community.

 The instructors are dynamic local rabbis and educators who honor the Melton curriculum while taking into account the needs of local students and the community.

The classes are interactive, promoting critical analysis and discussion.

The students are inspired to become independent Jewish learners, exploring and experiencing their own Judaism, challenging and constantly defining what Judaism means to them.  At the Mini-School, they receive a well-rounded introduction to the essentials of Judaism, and leave Jewishly knowledgeable, empowered, and wanting to learn more.

Graduates

Graduates of CAJE's mini-school also have the opportunity for continued learning in our program of Advanced Studies for Melton Graduates. Exciting course offerings such as "World Jewish Communities and Music," "Modern Jewish Literature Through a Classical Lens, " and "Judaism on the Brink of the Millenium" give Melton graduates a chance to continue learning "Melton style."

How the program operates:

Students are on site for 2 ½ hours which includes a thirty-minute break between classes.  Our school year is 30 weeks long, and the curriculum is two years in duration. (Students are asked to commit to one year at a time.)

Extra-curricular activities may be available, such as holiday workshops, dinners, celebrations and field trips.

There are no prerequisites, grades, homework assignments or exams.  All texts will be offered in English translation.

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School International Website: www.fmams.org.il

If you are interested in becoming a student, please send an e-mail to Sue Parker Gerson at spgerson@caje-co.org
or call her at 303-321-3191, x232.