Liz Nover FMAMS Director Philadelphia, PA

In 1998, when Gratz College inaugurated the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School in Philadelphia two members of the College's Board of Governors enrolled. One of them, Dr. Matti K. Gershenfeld, a renowned psychologist, scholar, and clinician, is now the past chair of the Board of Governors.

"This exemplifies the caliber of students that Melton attracts, who take the time to immerse themselves in the Jewish classics through Melton's rigorous and enjoyable method," says President of Gratz College, Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum.

In 1998, Gratz College Interim President Dr. Earnest Kahn brought the Mini-School to Philadelphia after studying the array of adult education courses offered by the Jewish Community Centers, synagogues and Gratz itself. He found them all to be doing similar programs, although there emerged a continuum from light fare to more in-depth offerings. Nevertheless, nothing was being offered with any serious, sustained learning.

"I was seeking an instrument for adult Jewish education which would be exciting, stimulating and innovative, while rigorous and serious," says Kahn. "My hope was that we could attract the large number of Jews who have a fine general education but lack Jewish knowledge, who neither sought college credit courses nor basic introductory courses. The Melton model has more than met my expectations."

Director, Liz Nover says, "I continue to be awed by the sophistication of our students, the knowledge and dedication of our teachers, and the value everyone places on learning for the sake of learning. I am proud to be a partner in building Jewish confidence in Philadelphia."

Whereas most Mini-Schools are sponsored by Jewish Federations, Bureaus of Jewish Education or JCCs, the Philadelphia Mini-School is unique in having an institute of higher Judaic learning like Gratz for a sponsor. Gratz College is the oldest independent, non-denominationally affiliated college of Jewish studies in the Western Hemisphere. Founded in 1895 as a Hebrew teacher's college, Gratz has emerged as a general college of Jewish studies.

Our classes are held at six locations: Gratz College in Melrose Park; Center City; Eastern Montgomery County; Main Line; Chester County and Bucks County. There are now well over 200 adults attending Melton classes in the Greater Philadelphia area; this number includes close to 80 graduates who, by enrolling in graduate courses, are demonstrating that Jewish learning is a central part of their lives.

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