Viv Anstey, director of the Cape Town Mini-School, attended the March 2010 Classic Melton Israel Seminar. Here's what she has to say...

2012 Melton
Israel Seminars

We've opened registration for these Israel Seminars for 2012:

• March 12-22, 2012 (Classic)
  
  
• April 29-May 10, 2012 (Spain-Israel)
  
  
• June 25-July 5, 2012 (Classic)
  
  
• July 16-26, 2012 (Classic)
  
  
• Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 2012 (Poland-Israel)
  
  
• October 22-November 1, 2012 (Classic)
  
  
• October 22-November 1, 2012 (Returnees' - Altneuland)

Please click here for more information about the Melton Israel Seminars.

Melton Opens in Hong Kong

We have opened Melton in Hong Kong, our first school in Asia!

Hong Kong is a small yet vibrant Jewish community. With Hong Kong being the gateway to China, Jews in Hong Kong are engaged in major commercial enterprises both in Hong Kong and in the Far East.

On Nov. 9, 2011, 35 students who registered and paid for the first Melton, commenced their studies. According to Tara Diestel, our local director, the phenomenon of Jews in Hong Kong, both registering ahead of time and outlaying a large sum for Jewish education, is almost unheard of. The more Tara refused to negotiate the price or give reductions for anticipated absenteeism; the more the interest in Melton grew stronger.

The student body comprises a wide range from ages 25 to 70, young singles, parents and grandparents. One of the earliest registrations, came from a family of 6, where a father, his wife, their 2 adult children and future daughter in law, all booked seats around the table.

A gratifying aspect of this tremendous interest in Melton is the role that our success has played in attracting this interest. According to Tara, many students were attracted because of their advance knowledge of Melton and our success around the world.

Melton celebrates Chanukah around the world

Welcome new Directors!

Since our introduction to five new directors last May, we have had some additional directors join our Melton network.

Our warm welcome to :
· Jenessa Schwartz of Los Gatos, CA
· Rebecca Shapiro of Hamilton, Ontario
· Rabbi Yehoshua ben Avraham of Chicago CFJE
· Jill Maidhof of Kansas City, KS
· Andrea Rock of the Jack Barrack Hebrew Academy, Bryn Mawr, PA
· Mindy Pollak, of Houston
And our newest school and director
 · Lynn Wexler-Margolies of Las Vegas, NV

We offer our sincere appreciation for your years of leadership to the following directors who have transitioned to other positions:
· To Rabbi Yoshi Fenton, of Los Gatos
· To Keith Kanter, of Chicago
· To Rabbi Michelle Faudem, who returns to Detroit as a Melton faculty member
· To Marty Strub, of Hamilton
· To Jeff Goldenberg, of Kansas City
· To Laurie Hoffman, of Rockland County

Melton is expanding in Australasia, and will be opening a school in Hong Kong after the festivals and in New Zealand in February! Details of these new expansions will appear soon.

Judy Mars Kupchan & Rolly Cohen receive Rambam Award

On March 13 the BJE in Chicago awarded the Rambam Award to Judy Mars Kupchan (left) and Rolly Cohen (right). An outstanding feature of Maimonides has been his effect on the multiple generations that follow his teachings and it is fitting that Judy and Rolly receive this award.

Judy in her previous role as Director of the Marshall Resource Center and Rolly in her current role both built a center of excellence supporting educators in the Chicago area. We are proud of their achievements and wish them mazal tov.

Florence Melton Grove in Israel

At our recent International Directors Conference, Boca Raton Director Barbara Kabatznik launched an initiative to plant a grove of trees in Israel as The Florence Melton grove, in memory of our beloved founder. Many directors indicated their interest in participating. The total cost for the grove of trees is $5,000. As Barbara explained, if each Melton school contributes at least $100 we will have enough for the grove. Some schools have already collected funds, which should be sent to Jewish National Fund, earmarked for the Florence Melton memorial grove, JNF Tracking # RN110021. Or Barbara recommends calling Pam at JNF @ 561-447-9733.

Colorado Scholar-in-Residence weekend!

Colorado's Florence Melton Adult Mini-School recently hosted a wonderful four-day Scholar-in-Residence weekend featuring Melton Seminar educator Jonty Blackman. Blackman taught sessions throughout the community at area synagogues and schools, led a Melton faculty professional development workshop, and spoke about the Israel Seminar in Melton classes as well as during a special session highlighting the practice of sharing texts on site in Israel during the Seminar.

Highlights included a CLE (continuing legal education) seminar for attorneys on the topic of Ethical Wills and a shabbaton at Congregation Rodef Shalom for Melton students, alumni and members of the community on the topic of "Love in the Tanakh." An invitation-only dinner for Melton Alumni and Friends was held on Friday night with proceeds going to offset Blackman's honorarium.

For more information or to brainstorm ideas for hosting a Scholar-in-Residence event in your own community - as well as the benefits for your alumni, faculty and students in doing so - please contact Colorado Melton director Sue Parker Gerson.

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