Have you ever thought “What does it mean to be Jewish?” For some of us, just seeking answers to questions about our own Judaism, often raises more questions.

Searching to provide a bit of clarity is what the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning courses were designed to do.

What Are Melton Courses?

Melton is the world’s largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network, bearing the name of the visionary inventor and activist Florence Zacks Melton (1911-2007). In 1986, Florence Melton established and funded The Florence Melton Institute under the auspices of the Melton Centre at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her vision was to realize a comprehensive and sophisticated program of Jewish learning tailored for adults.

Four Courses

At its core, the Melton Courses are a series of text-based lessons, comprised of four courses. Each course focuses on at least one major area of Jewish learning and integrates Jewish history, religion, ritual, language, ethics, philosophy, literature, theology and contemporary Jewish life.

Melton Courses in St. Louis

A visit to the Melton School website, finds classes listed by partners in dozens of cities. In St. Louis, that partner is Temple Emanual.

“Temple Emanuel is thrilled to host the St. Louis Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning,” writes the temple on its website. “Melton offers adults deep learning in a pluralistic, intellectually stimulating environment.  The world-class curriculum sets the standard for high-quality, interactive, text-based Jewish study that informs and inspires learners from all knowledge levels and backgrounds.  As listening to a variety of voices is a core part of the Melton philosophy, courses are open to all.” 

New Melton courses in May

The newest opportunity for Jewish adult learning begins in May. “Love, Loss and Wisdom” is a six-week course led by Temple Emanuel Senior Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh on Thursdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The six sessions will be in person on May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and June 6 at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road, or on Zoom. 

Classes are recorded so if you miss one, you can always watch it later.

Discover the Jewish responses and rituals that take us through mourning and arrive at a place of healing. When death inevitably enters our lives, Jewish wisdom and ritual can help us cope with heartbreak and loss, the anguish of why suffering exists. We will also seek to understand the big questions of what Judaism says about life after death and its understanding of messianic times. With a wider lens, we gain a context with which to better understand our moments of anguish as individuals and as a community. 

The cost is $179. However, if you have taken this class before, contact Rabbi Janine Schloss at [email protected] before registering. For those taking this class for the first time, register here: www.meltonschool.org/st-louis

Confidential scholarships are available. In addition, a special tuition rate of $50 is available for any full- or part-time professionals working at Jewish organizations, including teachers and staff in St. Louis Jewish preschools, religious schools, day schools and youth groups.

All scholarships and special tuition rates are thanks to the Borow Endowment for Jewish Education and the Libby Needle Memorial Fund, managed by Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Email [email protected] for the coupon codes.