By Jane Martin
Special to The Chronicle
Staying safe in your COVID bubble is a wise move, but can leave many of us feeling bored, unstimulated or disconnected from our community. Enter MeltonKC, powered by HBHA, with a wide selection of 2020-21 courses to engage, connect and offer thought-provoking material. All while keeping students safe through virtual class sessions (MeltonKC classes will remain virtual until it is safe to return in person).
“There is no better time to try MeltonKC,” said Megan Pener, MeltonKC director. “We have several new and very timely offerings that are not only relevant to our lives today but are designed to help us cope with the unusual challenges we face as individuals and as a society.”
Taught by locally and nationally renowned instructors, MeltonKC offers a world-class curriculum, robust discussion and concepts and ideas that apply to life today. Some highlights include:
“BeMidbar (Numbers) — Leadership Defied and Defended,” taught by Rabbi Amy Wallk-Katz
three classes on “Social Justice: The Heart of Judaism in Theory and Practice” taught by Rabbi Doug Alpert, Marla Brockman and a KU Hillel contingency taught by Suzy Sostrin and Ira Kirschner
“Girls in Trouble,” a locally designed course taught by Farrah Udell
“Exploring a Forgotten World: A Social History of Medieval Jewry as Revealed in the Cairo Genizah” taught by Rabbi Javier Cattapan
“The Aish Kodesh, The Holy Fire,” taught by Rabbi Avi Weinstein
MeltonKC classes offer a pluralistic Jewish education for adults, and the course offerings welcome participants from all streams of Judaism, including learners who describe themselves as “just Jewish.” No prerequisites are required for any of this year’s MeltonKC courses, and beginners and seasoned Melton students alike are invited to learn and grow within this supportive community.
“We have such a great network of students, and I look forward to building upon our growing community of lifelong learners,” Pener said. “In that vein, we are excited to announce our partnership with Jewish Federation, whose Ben-Gurion Society members will form a cohort for one of our Foundations classes, ‘The Purposes of Jewish Living,’ taught by Marla Brockman.”
MeltonKC is supported by Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Menorah Heritage Foundation.
For more information about Melton, or to register, go to www.hbha.edu/melton, or contact Pener, , 913-327-8161. Most classes are $295 per student, which includes learning materials, and financial assistance is available on an as-needed basis.
Upcoming Melton courses
“The Purposes of Jewish Living.”
Why do Jews believe as they do? What are the big questions of life and how do Jewish thinkers answer these questions? This course explores both ancient and modern responses to many of the major issues of Jewish thought and theology. Taught by Marla Brockman.
Two class options available:
Wednesdays | 7-8:30 p.m. | 25 weeks beginning Oct. 7
Thursdays | 10:30-11:45 a.m. | 25 weeks: beginning Oct. 8
“Girls in Trouble.”
How do stories of women in Torah reflect the complexity of our own lives? How can we deepen our connections to these ancient texts? The “Girls in Trouble” curriculum, by Alicia Jo Rabins, brings women in Torah to life through text study, music, art and personal reflection. Join this journey into the fascinating world of women in Torah. Taught by Farrah Udell.
Tuesdays | 7-8:30 p.m. | 10 weeks beginning Oct. 6
“Social Justice: The Heart of Judaism in Theory and Practice.”
This new Melton course will draw from text and history to explore how social justice work goes beyond addressing short-term needs and looks at structural causes of injustice today. Topics include issues related to poverty, immigration and environmental degradation. Participants will be encouraged to identify issues that are particular to their own communities and that they would like to explore in greater depth.
Current class is available on Fridays | 9:30-11 a.m. | 10 weeks beginning Oct. 9, taught by Marla Brockman.
Coming 2021, Rabbi Doug Alpert will teach this class.
“BeMidbar (Numbers) — Leadership Defied and Defended.”
Israel’s fateful journey through the wilderness of Sinai presented numerous challenges to the leadership of Moses and Aaron; at times the nation challenged their competence as leaders, and at times individuals arose to challenge their very right to lead. As students explore the biblical narratives describing 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, they will be surprised to note the timeless nature of those stories. How can the lessons learned from the past be applied to solving the communal challenges of the present and the future? Taught by Rabbi Amy Wallk-Katz.
Mondays | 6:45-8:15 p.m. | 10 weeks beginning Oct. 26.
“Exploring a Forgotten World: A Social History of Medieval Jewry as Revealed in the Cairo Genizah.”
This ancient-era version of reality TV gives you a front-row seat to the drama, gossip, legal transactions and other daily intrigues — straight from the Middle Ages. This course brings to life an exotic era in Jewish history, revealing the inner thoughts of real-life characters and exploring the daily interactions and behaviors of Jewish men, women and families living along the Mediterranean more than 1,000 years ago. Taught by Rabbi Javier Cattapan.
Thursdays | 6:30-8 p.m. | 10 weeks beginning Nov. 5.
