Spotlight on Grantees
"Happy is the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding."
-- Proverbs
The Jewish Community Center's Department of Adult Jewish Learning offers a range of inspiring opportunities that enable adults to become confident and comfortable Jewish learners.
From regular Lunch 'n' Learn sessions to the ever-popular Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and accompanying graduate classes, students quench their thirst for Jewish knowledge in a setting designed to appeal to adult learners -- regardless of age, synagogue affiliation or current level of Jewish knowledge.
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| Adult Jewish Learning programs encourage probing questions, stimulating discussion. Photo courtesy JCC. |
From regular Lunch 'n' Learn sessions to the ever-popular Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and accompanying graduate classes, students quench their thirst for Jewish knowledge in a setting designed to appeal to adult learners -- regardless of age, synagogue affiliation or current level of Jewish knowledge.
Highlights from the Department of Adult Jewish Learning program include:
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School
Developed by a team of scholars and educators at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the curriculum is appropriate for all forms of Jewish commitment. Melton participants come away with a well-rounded introduction to the essentials of Judaism that far exceeds basic introduction coursework. Participants meet for two hours each week for about 30 weeks. While the curriculum is two years in duration, participants commit to one year at a time. Drawing upon the wide range of resources in the Kansas City area, the Melton faculty includes Rabbis and Jewish educators from across the entire community.
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| With eyes fixed on the instructor and minds engaged, on the topic, adult Jewish learners participate for the sheer exhilaration of study. Photo courtesy JCC. |
Lunch 'n' Learn and Evening Programs
Events each month feature recognized national presenters and local academics speaking on a wide range of topics.
Melton Scholars Curriculum Graduate Program
The learning opportunities continue well after Melton graduation. A variety of new courses are offered each semester.
Hebrew Classes
All levels are offered, from beginning classes for those with no prior knowledge of the language, to advanced classes that emphasize conversational skills, literature and discussion of current events -- all in Hebrew.
Melton Israel Seminar
Students and graduates of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School have a unique opportunity to visit, explore and study Israel as never before. Through on-site text
learning at locations of historical importance, the Israel Seminar connects adult Jewish learners with the present and past in considering the future of the Jewish people.
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| Haim Aronovitz, guest lecturer and Melton scholar intrigues his students with a state of Israel presentation. Photo courtesy JCC. |
KC Melton Alumni Association
Membership in this group helps to provide the support and resources for adult Jewish learning to continue and flourish in the local community.
Genesis
Under the aegis of the Department of Adult Jewish Learning, Genesis offers a wide range of programming for interfaith couples and their loved ones to explore and understand their relationship to Judaism and the Jewish community.