Making Merry with Melton
by Dan Gordon
(with apologies to real poets everywhere)

Dan Gordon, storyteller

'twas the day after Christmas, and all through the State
The natives were rushing to fulfill "Morey's Mandate".

"They'll all be here soon, whether we're ready or not -
There's two dozen coming right after Shabbat!"

Learning Session

He sang out his orders with guitar strings strumming,
"Ma-hare," he sang out, "Melton teachers are coming!

"They're coming from London, they're coming from Leeds,
We have to be ready to fulfill all their needs.

Canandian and Texans make our kufsa complete

Many others will come from the Artzot Ha-Brit.
We've got major mavens, they're all filled with wonder,
They've come from so far - even three from down under!

There's rabbis and teachers and a lawyer or two
All striving to know what's a wise, learned Jew.
A plurality of students, and such a fine team,
Plus a couple who've been married for shishim shanim!"

By the time Monday came, they were ready for us
To arrive from an airplane, a taxi or bus.
Some showed up early, via private car,
And we all felt so welcome, many thanks to Tamar.

The first night we struggled through learning our names;
All was revealed through quizzes and games.
The next morning began with more than just facts:
A Melton Avram, seen with Leah Lax.

The rest of the morning was really quite cool,
Studying in the lovely Hecht Shul.
Howie's quite brilliant; he knows this - he knows that...
"But compete with that view?" He said, "I'll just talk on the hat!"

On Wednesday a great deal more was said
As Yonaton tried to define "adult ed".
And we learned the Dead Sea Scrolls had their ways
Of dividing our time by seventy days.

To learn of today's scene, we captured the most
Of a writer's perspective from the Jerusalem Post.

Thursday was the day that was next
To see all Ha-Aretz with Debby and text.
And then Danny Gordis theorized with
The idea that we study "no LESS than a myth."

By then we had all learned quite a lot;
We truly needed a restful Shabbat.

Sunday was devoted to Ir Ha-Kodesh and all,
So we spent time with Chaim under the wall.
The feast at Beit Ticho, we ate all that we can,
Then sat back to relax with some stories from Dan.

Monday had excitement, o yes, la-di-da!
We spent the whole morning with our dear Aggadah!
On Tuesday, we delved into very deep thought
About textual learning, explicit or not.

Wednesday morning we left after dawn, Oy Gevalt,
For a learning tiyul and a sea filled with salt.
Study with Chaim cannot be beat,
Especially when he is dressed in a sheet.

We never go hungry, though lunch was quite late,
But we learned of Bar Kochba with a view that was great!

In true Melton spirit, there's not enough time
To say all we've learned in this silly rhyme.
But you know, these two weeks made us all quite aware,
That learning's enhanced when done with your chaver.
We know the wealth of our study truly has no ends,
And now quite enriched with two dozen new friends.

I've got much more to say, I could go on, blah, blah blah ---
OY! Happy Learning to all, and N'siah Tova!

January 8, 2004
14 Tevet, 5764

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