Philadelphia Graduation 2006

After two years of studying together, the seventh graduating class of the Philadelphia Florence Melton Adult Mini-School gathered with their families at Gratz College for their graduation ceremony.  In welcoming the guests, director Debby Malissa’s remarks focused on the rewards and challenges of an ever-expanding student body, both in numbers and locations; while maintaining the high quality of Adult Jewish Learning for which Melton and Gratz College are famous.

A representative from each class -- the Main Line, Center City, Gratz Wednesday and Gratz Thursday, and the Parent Education Program shared their thoughts on two years of text study. While each presentation had comments which were unique to the respective class, all concurred on the quality of the faculty and the camaraderie of the students. And all vowed to continue their Jewish learning in a serious way.

The certificates were presented to the graduates by their respective coordinators:  Ellen Goldberg, Center City, Liz Nover, Parent Education Program, and Debby Malissa, Gratz College and Main Line.  The keynote speaker was to have been Rabbi Ira Stone, of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel.  However, he was unable to attend, so Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum, President of Gratz College, ably stepped in at the last minute.  In his beautifully delivered remarks, Dr. Rosenbaum noted that the Melton curriculum focuses not only on the study of Jewish precepts, but the knowing and doing of them.  And he complimented the students on their two-year commitment and charged them to continue their studies.

The 53 graduates are part of 3000 Mini-School students in 60 sites around the world attending graduation ceremonies this month.  The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a project of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world and in Philadelphia, we are proud to be a part of this important adult Jewish education network.

The evening was a wonderful culmination of the two years of enriching study, but the graduates agreed that this was not an end to their study, but a significant entry into joining the Jewish conversation. Jewish learning was now a way of life for them and they look forward to the study opportunities that Melton at Gratz College has to offer.

For further information on how you can sign up for classes, please contact: Debby Malissa at 215-635-7300, x 143, dmalissa@gratz.edu

Philadelphia Mini-School

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