12th Melton School Graduation Class.Top Row: Sharon Shanker, Davit Adut and Lisa Erich. Bottom Row: Esther Sarah Carroll, Shelley Stein, Lyna Raschdorf, Mindy Schwartz Katz and Debra Kleeger. Missing: Devorah Elstein
When this year’s nine Melton graduates received their certificates, they joined a group of 180 adults in Tidewater who have completed the first two years of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. The students, who took 60 class sessions at the Simon Family JCC over the course of two years, celebrated their accomplishments on Wednesday, June 11 at the JCC with a graduation ceremony.
The 12th Melton graduation (which completes 13 years of the Melton school in Tidewater), reflected the hands on, interactive approach pervasive in the Melton classroom, with all graduates participating in the ceremony.
Sharon Shanker led the welcome and introduction. Esther Sarah Carroll led the D’Var Torah, followed by Davit Adut, who led what would be a typical Melton reading from the class curriculum. Shelley Stein shared her personal reflections. “We dove into the whys and hows behind the rituals we have as Jews,” she said. She also described how the small class of nine formed a strong bond after the first year, which allowed them to be open and honest when they debated ethical issues in the second year curriculum. Mindy Schwartz Katz gave a tribute to the teachers and presented the class gift, after which Lyna Raschdorf taught a text from Torah study typical of a Melton class. Lisa Ehrich explained and led the Kaddish D’Rabbanan (the Scholars’ Kaddish), a prayer recited after completing the teaching of a Jewish text.
Miriam Brunn Ruberg, local director of Florence Melton School of Adult Learning, noted that there are many options for adult Jewish learning. Melton is distinguished by its excellent curriculum, and does not set out to change lives, yet ends up doing just that, she said. “I have seen many examples where Melton graduates, after understanding aspects of their Judaism better, make personal changes in their observance.”
Marty Einhorn, JCC president offered the group a hearty Mazel Tov, congratulating the class for their perseverance and hard work.
Linda Spindel, chair of the Jewish Life and Learning committee of the Simon Family JCC, handed each of the graduates their personal certificates from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Debra Kleeger gave the closing prayer, after which graduates, friends, and family enjoyed a dessert reception.
A new first year class is being planned for Tuesday mornings beginning in October. For more information, contact Miriam Brunn Ruberg 321-2328 or mbrunnruberg@simonfamilyjcc.org.
The Simon Family JCC is a constituent agency of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
by Leslie Shroyer