Marcia Birken
November 05 Israel Seminar
Selecting a “favorite” Melton Israel Seminar experience is like choosing between my children. Each day’s encounter with history and literature was 
illuminating, presenting familiar locations through new and evocative texts. Each day filled our senses, overloaded our brains, and made us rethink our knowledge base.
But I’ll single out our study session with Haim at Qumran because it made me rethink my beliefs about how far Judaism can stretch before it breaks. Haim assumed the role of an Essene at Qumran and used his character to guide us through the rules of this ascetic group, especially the role (or lack thereof) for women. Through this participatory learning, we delved into the ways in which the Essenes modified, even twisted, Judaism into something that is barely recognizable to a modern Jew. Were they still Jewish with their renunciation of sexual desire, humor, and other worldly 
pleasures? Our discussions, of course, were not limited to the Essenes, but flowed into modern times and the “Who is a Jew?” question raised in modern Israel. For me this is the essence of Melton – one question leads to another question, leading to further study and intensive debate. Melton doesn’t provide answers; rather it provides the essential tools to explore a variety of responses and the ethical underpinning to feel comfortable with the solutions that make sense to each individual.
