The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School FMAMS

Dr. Jonathan Mirvis
International Director
As International Director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute since 1991, Jonathan is the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's foremost academic specialist in adult education and the new field of social entrepreneurship. He lectures to graduate students and conducts research on these subjects at the Hebrew University’s School of Education and Melton Centre for Jewish Education, The School of Social Work’s Program in Non-Profit Management and The Business School’s MBA Program.
He holds a doctorate in adult education from Surrey University in England, participated in the Jerusalem Fellows program and is a graduate of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Israel. Jonathan was awarded a Kaye Innovation Prize by The Hebrew University in 2003 for his development of the social franchise model and in 2006 received a special recognition by the Rector of the university for excellence in teaching.

Dr. Betsy Dolgin Katz
North American Director
North American director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School since 1989, Betsy is a leading authority in the field of Jewish adult learning. She is a former chairperson of the Alliance for Adult Jewish Learning and sits on their Board of Directors. A director and teacher in the Mini-School since its inception in 1986, she comes to the Mini-School through her work in Jewish teachers centers and the Chicago Community Foundation for Jewish Education. She also serves on the adjunct faculty of National Lewis University in Chicago, and on the Board of Directors of the Covenant Foundation. Betsy holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Cincinnati.

International Office
Jerusalem, Israel

	Haim Aronovitz Haim is responsible for the development of Israel Seminars. He holds an MA from the Hebrew University in Contemporary Jewry, with an emphasis on informal Jewish education. He helped develop and then directed the Israel Experience Staff Training Institute at Melitz. He has worked as a tour educator for the Israel Seminar and as a staff member of the Melton Centre’s Jewish Educators Training Institute, and also serves as educational coordinator of the Senior Educators Program.
	Rabbi Morey Schwartz Director of Curriculum Development As Curriculum Coordinator, Morey is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the curriculum of the Mini-School. Toward this end, Morey solicits director and faculty feedback and initiates ongoing discussions on the curriculum. Morey was a member of the Kansas City Mini-School faculty from 1995-2000. He taught Ethics and Purposes, as well as several graduate courses. He is a graduate of Yeshiva University, with a Master's from the Bernard Revel Graduate School, and ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Morey has lived in Israel with his family since 2000.
	Ms. Tamar Katz Administrator, International Office Since 1995, Tamar has been responsible for the administration of the FMAMS Institute in Jerusalem. She is also the Computer Director for Melton Center for Jewish Education. She holds a BA in Archeology from the Hebrew University and has participated in archeological digs in the Sinai Desert, United States and France. Tamar has also translated books for an Israeli publishing house.
	Ms. Rena Ashkenazi International Office Rena came on aliyah from South Africa in the early '80's. She is a graduate of the Hebrew University with a degree in International Relations. Rena is delighted to be a member of the FMAMS staff, an organization she has seen expand greatly since first working for the Melton Center 15 years ago.
	Ms. Debi Katz FMAMS Website
	Ms. Toby Appel Israel Seminar Administrator

North American Office
Chicago, IL USA

	Ms. Irene Bennett Director of Operations, North American Office Irene has a background in business organization, computers and office management. Before joining the North American office, Irene was the registrar for Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute. She is also the lead vocalist with the Tony Caselli Orchestra as well as an event planner.
	Betty Sobelman Director of Finance Betty served as the Financial Administrator of the Solomon Schechter Day Schools of Chicago for a period of 11 years. She served in leadership positions for ORT, Na'Amat and the Chicago Board of Jewish Education and developed and operated several successful private businesses before embarking on her career in the not-for-profit world.
	Rabbi Michael Balinsky Director of Faculty Development Michael was a Hillel Director for 22 years, 19 of which were at Northwestern University. He received his training at Yeshiva University and Yeshivat Har Etzion and has taught at the University of Michigan and Loyola. Michael began his FMAMS career at one of the first pilot Mini-Schools in 1986 and he has continued to teach in Chicago.
	Ms. Judy Kupchan Director of Educational Services Judy is Director of Educational Services for the North American office of the FMAMS and has been part of the staff since 1995. She was founding director of the BJE Chicago Mini-School, where she remains on the faculty. Judy co-authored the Teacher Enrichment Program with Betsy Katz, and piloted the program at the BJE of Chicago. Judy holds an MA in Jewish education and Contemporary Jewish Studies from Brandeis University. She is an alumna of the Melton Centre for Jewish Education's Senior Educators Program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She has worked in Jewish teacher education since 1974 and is the founding director of Jewish teacher centers in Washington D.C and Chicago.
	Dr. Mitch Parker Director of Parent Education Mitch supervises the Florence Melton Parent Education Program - a pilot program established with support from the AVI CHAI Foundation. He holds a Masters in Education and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. He is the Director of Special Needs at Hillel Day School and Director of Teacher Development at Shaarey Zedek, both in Detroit. He has worked for most of his professional career with individuals with learning disorders and has been Director of Camp Ramah in Canada's Tikvah Program since 1993, a program for children with Developmental Disabilities. Mitch has been a Melton teacher for four years.
	Kitty Hoffman Administrative Assistant Kitty comes to the Florence Melton Adult Mini School North American office with many years of administrative experience in both a hospital and residential facility. She is a Morasha graduate, was a TEP participant, and taught kindergarten in the religious school of McHenry County Jewish Congregation for five years. Once she realized she already knew half of the people in the office, she was most eager to become an active member of the staff. Another important part of her life is the volunteer work she does for Willow House, an organization that provides grief support and services for young families dealing with the death of a parent or child. She's got a great husband, and daughter (who attends Kansas State) and a wide variety of interests that she tries to pursue in what little free time is available.
	Jody Hyman Director of Corporate Development Jody is the Director of Corporate Development for the North American office of the FMAMS. She works jointly with the office and the FMAMS at the Hebrew University on various fundraising, business development and Alumni Association matters. Jody is an attorney and practiced labor and employment law for ten years before leaving the practice to raise her 3 children, and has since been actively involved in fundraising for the local PTA and temple. She also asists her husband, Bruce, in the management of his medical practice. Jody is a current Melton student and has enthusiastically embraced her new position. As she learns more about our work and our needs she will be available to consult with local schools on their fundraising efforts.