SPRINGFIELD – Melton Year Two and Melton Graduate classes are again being offered this fall.  The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a comprehensive adult education program, sponsored in Springfield by Temple Beth El, Springfield Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and the Jewish Endowment Foundation.
The Year Two curriculum will feature “Ethics of Jewish Living” – How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment, inter-personal relationships, end-of-life decisions, and stem-cell research?  This course explores the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars and thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres.
Participants of the Year Two program will also study “Dramas of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages” – What are the lessons of Jewish history – from the earliest wanderings of Abraham to today’s turmoil in Israel?  How do the turning points in Jewish history influence our lives today?  This course investigates how the Jewish past gives meaning to the Jewish present.
Year Two classes are offered for 30 weeks beginning on Oct.  15 on either Monday mornings 9 – 11 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, (JCC) Neal Webber Building, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, or Monday evenings 7 – 9 p.m. at the Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS), 770 Converse St., Longmeadow. The cost of the program is $360 if paid in advance or three payments of $130 each. Financial subsidies are available, upon request.  You need not have taken Year One classes to participate.
A graduate course entitled, “Israeli Literature As a Window to Israeli Society,” will be offered for 10 weeks either on Monday evenings 6:30-8 p.m. beginning Oct. 15 at JGS or on Wednesday mornings 9:30-11 a.m. beginning Oct. at the JCC. A graduate course entitled, “The Story of the First Jewish Family,” will be offered on Thursday mornings 9:30-11 a.m. The fee for each Graduate course is $200.
For more information or to request a registration form, contact Lisa in the Temple Beth El office at (413) 733-4149.