The Lion's Roar Newspaper

Solomon Schechter School of Westchester's High School

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START SOMETHING NEW / Raffi Schwartz / C The Lion's Roar

Since September 2003, the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School at SSHS has been offering educational courses for adults seeking to expand their knowledge of Jewish studies. The program is one of 62 associated adult schools throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and England, all affiliated with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. These programs, which offer courses over a span of two years, have seen nearly 20,000 graduates since the first school opened in 1986.

The courses at SSHS, which are given weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays, cover topics from Jewish texts and ethical issues to the history of Judaism. In all there are four courses designed especially for adults, which focus on different aspects of Judaism studied through traditional texts.

"The school is designed to set you on a path of lifelong Jewish learning," said Mrs. Nina Luban, director of the Westchester school, which is based at SSHS. "It gives you the tools that you need to become knowledgeable, confident and comfortable [with Judaism]. Our program is for people who want more than an introduction to Judaism, but less than a Masters," said Luban. "The program is sophisticated, intense and challenging."

In all, 80 students enrolled in courses at the school in the 2004-2005 year. These students are from a multitude of Jewish backgrounds and levels of observance. "We have students from 14 different Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox synagogues," said Luban. There is also a "large range of experience among students."

The school's faculty also forms a diverse group. "The school has educators from across the religious spectrum," said Rabbi Neil Zuckerman, associate Rabbi at Temple Israel Center in White Plains, who taught a course called Dramas of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages. Zuckerman, who has been teaching classes for two years, was one of the founding members of the school who worked to bring the program to Westchester. The school is a "tremendous learning experience that reaches out towards people of all backgrounds," said Luban. She characterized the school as "fiercely pluralistic," also saying that "all denominations are accepted."

"Everyone's opinions are valued and respected," said Cantor Ellen Dreskin of Synagogue 2000. "It is a meaningful opportunity because of the diversity", said Dreskin, who taught the course Purposes of Jewish Living in her first year with the school. The school has "a non-judgmental atmosphere that pervades the classroom", said Ms. Helga Weisenberg, a student who said she had a "minimum" of Jewish knowledge prior to the course. There is "complete freedom of expression," said Weisenberg, who added that the school is "causing me to touch and develop my own spiritual core as a Jew."

"My participation in the Melton School has been an inspiration," said Mr.Ari De-Levie, a second year student. "I now understand the term 'thirst for knowledge' better than ever." The course has "inspired me to read the Tanach from scratch, something I had never done before," said De-Levie. Another student pointed out that the diverse environment contributes to the atmosphere at the school. "The mix of people from different backgrounds, congregations, affiliations and beliefs works well to bring out different viewpoints," said Mr. Herbert Horn, a second year student. He added that the school "helps to deepen my understanding and give me an appetite for more studies and activities."

The program has been an "excellent opportunity for me, especially because I didn't have the opportunity to study as a child" said Ms. Ellen Bittner, who attends a class called Purposes of Jewish Living, taught by Dreskin. "It's even motivating some of us to become religious school teachers," said Bittner."The program is a wonderful opportunity," said Mrs. Evelyn Trachten, another student who has been attending classes since last September. "It brings you back to your roots," said Trachten.

In addition to the two-year program, the Florence Melton Adult-Mini School also organizes other educational activities. Among these additional activities is an Israel trip program for Melton students that is designed to supplement their classroom education. The pamphlet for this Israel program describes the trip as "a unique opportunity" that includes "11 days of exploring the land and its narratives." For students looking to continue their education after graduating from the program, many of the Florence Melton Mini Schools offer graduate courses that the Westchester program is currently developing.

"This course will allow [adults] to further their Jewish knowledge," said senior Rachel Rothman. She added that this would be especially beneficial if the "adults in the community haven't gone to a Jewish institution." The entire Westchester program has been made possible through grants from the UJA-Federation, supportive local synagogues and SSHS's campus. "We are very grateful to Solomon Schechter for hosting the school," said Zuckerman. Additionally an annual tuition of $600 was requested for the 2004-2005 year with scholarships available. "Like any other Jewish institution, funding is always an issue. However, once one enters the classroom, funding issues and everything else evaporates," said Luban. The faculty of the school for the 2004-2005 school year consisted of two Orthodox, two Conservative and two Reform teachers. This includes Zuckerman, Dreskin, Rabbi Rachel Aranoff, Rabbi Adam Starr, Mr. Steve Gelles, Rabbi Mickey Stanger and Dr. Joel Hoffman. All the teachers are involved in continuing education programs and are educators within their communities.