OF SOLUTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS:
IS 5763 GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT?

We all know that our tradition assumes that the New Year can - and does - offer the chance to "sweep out the old" and begin afresh. This may hold on the individual level; it is a lot harder on those of the community or the state. All of us are no doubt hoping to see a sweeping set of changes in the reality of life in Israel at this time.

Nonetheless, the first buds of change seem to be appearing regarding Jews and their sense that it is time to review their response to events in the Middle East. Have we passed the nadir, and begun to see the pendulum swing in the other direction? It is still too early, but these buds are reflected in increasing numbers of inquiries regarding the Mini-School's Israel seminars.

So, Washington DC teachers are planning to come on December 23 (until January 2). The group consists of Mini-Schoolers connected to the BJE, but other teachers are welcome to join them. Contact Jackie Land at the BJE for further details (jackie@bjedc.org).

A week later, our Australian graduates are scheduled to renew their traditional January seminar (30 December - 9 January), with many expressions of interest (and a willingness to let Melton graduates from North America and England join them too, if the summer seminar falls at a difficult time).

The Mini-School in Springfield, MA, is planning a seminar from March 10 - 20, and is looking for additional schools to join in and form a group. Any director who wants to cooperate with them in joining up or recruiting should contact Beth Kissileff immediately at (beth-kissileff@rcn.com) (Purim shpiels will be the order of the day for that seminar!).

They are to be followed by a group of graduates of the FMAMS in Atlanta who have all been in a special learning program over the past two years, leading up to their Israel seminar in late March (open only to that community!), and then we will be aiming for the big rush of Summer 2003 (June 23 - July 3).

If this sounds like so much hype, ask around in your community: Jews are saying that they cannot take Israel out of their lives indefinitely - and our "Melton way" is one way to make a meaningful and valuable trip to Israel and say "hineni -I am here".

A last indication of the shift: the veteran directors will recall our planned Returnee Israel Seminar for Graduates who had been to Israel with Melton. Well, for two years the idea was on the blocks, but STUDENTS demanded that I reconsider the seminar... and interest is increasing, so that we have set the dates for May 12 - 22. Not yet too hot; possible to light bonfires and set a chain of light across the Jewish Melton world on Lag BaOmer (registrants so far come from Baltimore, Boca Raton, Chicago, Melbourne, Philadelphia, Richmond, St. Louis and Sydney - and a mailing has not even gone out yet!).

Amongst the people registering for one or the other seminar are site directors and board members: I believe that our seminar may be an excellent way for people who are committed like yourself, to get (back) to Israel. What we (each and all of us) need to do is locate the 2 or 3 individuals who are passionately committed to Israel as integral to their Jewish learning and living. They will help us spearhead a groundswell of interest. Two people from each site gives us a summer seminar with over one hundred participants... can it be that in your site and amongst your graduates there are not even two such individuals?

Below are the seminars open to Mini-School graduates and students:

• December 30 - January 9: US$ 1,899
  (Australia, but open to all)
• May 12 - 22: US$ 2,049 (Open to Returnees only)
• June 23 - July 3: US$ 1,948 (Open to all)

All prices refer to land costs, including at least two meals daily; all sites and educational materials; security, accommodations and travel in luxury vehicles.

So: Do we at the Mini-School have the solution to the woes of our region? I suspect not. But can we take a resolution to reintegrate Israel in our educational and existential agendas - and at least let our students know that the options exist? For certain!

I look forward to seeing you in Chicago, and am available for any queries (including on the new toll-free line from the US - 1 877 - 729 2805)