Graduates celebrate two years of learning

Peta and her Tuesday morning class

Dr. Leanne Piggot

Another cohort of students celebrated their graduation from the Florence Melton Adult Education Program this week - the 12th year of the program in Sydney and the 11th graduation ceremony.

Featuring Dr Leanne Piggott as keynote speaker, the evening included entertainment, food, activities and scholarship, reflecting the Melton ethos. "Melton is about camaraderie as well as learning," said Peta Jones Pellach, Director of Adult Education at The Shalom Institute, which administers the Melton Program. "The graduation had that wonderful "ruach" (spirit) where these students' joy at coming together to learn was palpable."

Dr Piggott spoke about the events of 2004 that will have a significant impact on Israel's future: the death of Arafat, the reelection of Bush and the increased influence of Condaleeza Rice, the commitment to democratic elections in Iraq and the proposed withdrawal from Gaza. Her assessment was hopeful. "We look at the short long-term not the short-term," she warned the audience. "Even under the current arrangements, a higher percentage of Iraqis are likely to vote in the January elections than the percentage of voters in most European countries."

Commenting on the audience's lack of awareness about the string of elections in which Iraqis will participate she said, "This just proves my contention that the media doesn't tell us what to think but it does tell us what to think about!"

Entertainment was provided by Moriah students, Adir Pellach and Jeremy Nothman. Valedictory presentations were made by graduating students, including Gallia Butow, who offered a moving tribute to The Shalom Institute and her teachers. "Melton has made a huge difference to me and to my husband, Mark," she told her fellow students and well-wishers.

Graduation certificates from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem were presented by Susie Klein, who was the first Melton Coordinator in Sydney and who was responsible for its establishment and growth.

For further information about Melton, contact Nicky Lenny on 96630655 or email nicky@shalom.edu.au.

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