About the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is a world pioneer in the field of adult Jewish education. With its international headquarters at the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning Institute of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a national office for North America in Northbrook, IL, the Melton School, a social franchise, forms an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment.
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. Founded in 1986 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 62 schools in 60 cities throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, attended weekly by some 5,500 students.
What Makes the Melton School Unique?
- Commitment to Learning: Students enroll in a sequential two-year course developed specifically for adult learners. They meet one day a week throughout the academic year. There are no examinations. The only prerequisite is a commitment to learn. The Melton School infuses students with a desire to make Jewish learning a way of life which often continues beyond the first two years into Melton School graduate courses.
- Sophisticated Curriculum: Four text-based courses make up the sequential two-year curriculum written by a team of experts at the Hebrew University’s Melton Centre for Jewish Education – the world’s largest academic center for Jewish education.
- Quality Teaching and Learning: To preserve the high standards which are the hallmark of the Melton School, all faculty members – educators within the community – must participate in ongoing professional enrichment programs. This also contributes to the community’s educational resources. Questioning and dialogue are encouraged in a pluralistic classroom environment.
- Israel-Diaspora Partnership: Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Centers, Bureaus of Jewish Education and community coalitions are the Hebrew University’s partners in the Melton School. This ensures a community commitment to maintaining the high level of quality expected of each Melton School. There are study and enrichment seminars for alumni, faculty and directors at the Hebrew University: the Israel Seminar for Graduates, the Faculty Israel Seminar and the International Directors Conference.