Florence Melton Mini-School

 

A partnership of Limmud and the London Jewish Cultural Centre
  

 

Classes have now started, but there's still time to join - phone Judy on 8457 5028 or email melton[at]ljcc.org.uk

What is Melton?

• The vision of Florence Melton, an American community activist and long-time supporter of Jewish education who defied conventional wisdom of the early 1980's by suggesting that adult Jews would be willing to commit themselves to an extended programme of learning. Florence died in February having celebrated her 95th birthday still at the helm.

• Melton now runs in 65 sites in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK and South Africa, and more than 5,500 students attend weekly.

• Melton offers adults the opportunity to learn in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment.

• The curricula are created and constantly re-worked by the Hebrew University's Melton Centre for Jewish Education.

  

What is the structure of the course?

• Text-based curricula which the student receives at the beginning of the course.
• Purposes of Jewish Living and Rhythms of Jewish Living are studied in Year 1; Dramas of Jewish Living through the Ages and Ethics of Jewish Living in Year 2.
• Weekly. 30 weeks in 3 terms per year. Two one-hour classes with a break for refreshments. Separate teacher per course.
• Florence Melton Mini-School's centre at the Hebrew University has developed a core curriculum which is the cornerstone of the programme worldwide. This is moderated by our own UK faculty to fit British concerns and realities.
• Melton started in London in October 1998.
• Melton classes will be held at Ivy House (the London Jewish Cultural Centre) in Golders Green on Sunday mornings (1st year only), Monday mornings and Monday evenings and in Knightsbridge early evening on Wednesdays.

 

What will I learn?

• In the 1st year:

• The Rhythms of Jewish Living: - Central ideas and texts which inform daily, weekly, annual ritual and life cycle observances.

• The Purposes of Jewish Living: - Essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts.

• In the 2nd year:

• The Dramas of Jewish Living: - History. Issues such as survival, assimilation, leadership and community as expressed in the flow of the Jewish past.

• The Ethics of Jewish Living: - Ethical issues such as justice, life and death, sexuality and community, with case studies from Talmudic, rabbinic and contemporary literature.

 

Who runs Melton in the UK?

• Melton is a franchise which in the UK is a joint project of Limmud and the London Jewish Cultural Centre.
• Limmud is a cross-communal learning organisation. Programmes are extremely varied and each one has the 'Limmud feel'. Whatever your association with Limmud it will take you one step further on your Jewish journey. The 5 day residential Limmud conference in December remains a highlight and is this year celebrating 27 years.
• The London Jewish Cultural Centre is a vibrant educational centre with over 700 enrolled students in both day and evening classes There is an extensive cultural events programme which includes a wide range of events such as film screenings, concerts, workshops, debates, book launches, lectures, conferences and seminars. It is just celebrating the first year in brand new premises in North End Road, Golders Green.
• As a franchise operation Melton is grateful to and dependent on the UJIA for its continuing financial support. The British Friends of the Hebrew University also lends great support.

 

Who will I study with?

• Students come from a wide variety of ages, background and knowledge. Religious backgrounds are equally diverse including members of the all the main Jewish denominations and of none.
• The dynamic of each class develops during the year and is an important part of the Melton process.

 

What if l know very little about Jewish topics? Won't l look silly?

• Because the Melton Program is a structured program of learning, no background knowledge is assumed or required.

 

What if l have already learned quite a bit about Judaism? Will I be in a class of beginners?

• Melton's approach to Jewish knowledge is unique. No matter what you have learnt before, you will find that Melton provides you with a new, structured framework for your learning. Within this framework, information is transformed into knowledge and knowledge into understanding. Your classmates will include an enormous range and mixture, those with no prior or a wealth of Jewish education and the wide cross-section who fit in between.

 

Who are the Melton teachers?

• Teachers are committed to maintaining an even-handed approach to the material studied. They are able to focus on the common heritage of all Jews whilst acknowledging the different practices and beliefs of the various denominations.

• Teachers understand the particular needs of adult learners.

• We are very proud of the extremely high quality of our faculty.

  

Why should I choose Melton?

• All the reasons above!

• Many of us share a deep-seated desire to know more about who we are, about our history, customs, beliefs and traditions.

• Melton enables you to gain an awareness of the underlying values within Judaism.

• Although we are searching for answers to many questions, we don't want to be patronised, spoon fed or told what to think. We want to be listened to , and have our own views respected. This represents the ethos of Melton's educational philosophy.

  

AND FINALLY...

• There is no agenda to make you more religiously observant or more committed to a particular religious denomination.

• Subsidies are available if you can't manage the fees.

 

CONTACT:  Judy Trotter, Director, Ivy House, 94-96 North End Road, London NW11 7HU. Tel: 020 8457 5028.  Email: melton@ljcc.org.uk

Or you can download the application form here. 

 

supported by the UJIA