MeltonKC, a regional division of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, has released its fall and winter class schedule that includes a variety of class lengths, topics and teachers, both new and returning.
More information and opportunities to register for classes can be found at MeltonKC.org.
Classes range from two to 25 weeks long, with many beginning this October. Topics such as Ethics of Jewish Living; Introduction to Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture; and Jews In America: Insiders and Outsiders are all covered in the fall programming.
“I’m thrilled that MeltonKC, as part of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J, is able to offer a variety of courses and topics this year, with exceptional teachers bringing them to life,” said Megan Pener, MeltonKC program director. “Our learning community is vibrant and rich, and it’s going to be an incredible year.”
MeltonKC, which was recognized as the 2022 Florence Melton School of the Year, is part of the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. The program is bringing new teachers on board this fall who are excited to bring their perspectives to different topics. One class in particular, Modern Living: Maintaining Balance, is bringing back a curriculum that has been offered in the past but now has a new perspective through a new teacher.
“I’m really looking forward to teaching a Melton course on finding balance this year,” said Bailey London Nakelsky, associate vice president of leadership giving for Hillel International. “Having personally taken steps over the last few months to bring more balance to my life, I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned to the community and continuing to learn together with the participants in the course.”
Other teachers are looking forward to returning to the MeltonKC program, not just to teach but to learn from those in their own classes.
“Adult Jewish learners inspire me,” said Rabbi Alan D. Londy, The New Reform Temple, who is teaching a class called “OMG, Can You Believe?!” “They give me reassurance that the Jewish future is strong. Our adult students bring passion for Judaism, which is contagious. Their learning creates a holy community centered around Torah learning. I look forward each week to engaging them with the study of our tradition’s eternal wisdom.”
In addition to the lessons learned through MeltonKC programming, many participants and teachers enjoy the opportunities to connect with others in the community.
“I’ve heard such wonderful things about the relationships built in Melton classes, and I cannot wait to see what comes of our time together,” London Nakelsky said.
“The great benefit to me is how much I learn from these students,” Rabbi Londy said. “What a blessing to be able to teach in this program.”
MeltonKC is a program under Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. MeltonKC is generously funded by Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Menorah Heritage Foundation, and private donors.
