OUR CURRICULUM:
Designed by scholars from the Melton Centre for Jewish Education at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, our world-class, university-quality curriculum examines Jewish texts in English to explore Jewish ethics, practices, history, ideas, and values.
HOW IT WORKS:
Classes meet for two hours once a week. The two-year Melton program consists of 30 weekly classes each year. There are no prerequisites, grades, or exams. Graduates receive a Certificate of Jewish Studies from Hebrew University and are eligible to participate in all Melton graduate courses, alumni events, and an optional seminar in Israel.
OUR GOALS:
- To teach the common roots and experiences of pluralistic Judaism
- To convey core and meaningful Jewish knowledge appropriate for all forms of Jewish commitment
- To stimulate reflection and critical thinking about Judaism in a non judgmental, interactive setting
- To bring relevancy to Jewish learning in the contemporary world
- To empower informed, independent Jewish learners to explore and to define what Judaism means
- To inspire Jewish leadership, service, and engagement
OUR IMPACT
- 100% of our students say Melton has broadened their Jewish knowledge
- 97% now feel more a part of their Jewish community
- 78% become more aware of their Jewish identity
"Melton increased my knowledge in a significant and meaningful way. I now want to learn more and study more. Because of the course, I now feel more confident in educating my children about Judaism.” -Melton graduate, 2009
"I have begun studying Hebrew and intend to become Bat Mitzvah in the next two years. Prior to Melton, I didn’t think this was possible for me. Now it feels impossible not to take this step." -Melton graduate, 2009
ABOUT MORASHA
The Portland Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is a project of Morasha, the Jewish Community Education Alliance.
In Hebrew, Morasha means "heritage" or "inheritance". Morasha is a pluralistic non-profit community alliance that promotes adult Jewish education, through its own offerings and in coordination with other community organizations. Morasha provides meaningful opportunities for Jewish learning, strengthens Jewish identity and inspires engagement in Jewish communal life.
In addition to the Melton school, Morasha sponsors the Machar Young Adult Leadership Program and the Morasha website, which offers a comprehensive listing of Jewish educational opportunities in the greater Portland area.
OUR MELTON NETWORK:
We are part of an international consortium with schools in over 60 cities in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and Israel. You can learn more about Melton worldwide at www.fmams.org.il.
Melton Board
Brad Pearlman, President
Dan Hurwitz, Treasurer
Leland Anderson, Secretary
Shirli Anderson Shirley Nudelman
Jayne London
Mandi Chestler
Judith Kahn
Selma Duckler
Ben Walters
Sandy Ramirez
Linda Appel
Advisory Board
Renee Holzman
Eliana Temkin
Donating to Melton
Melton is a program of Morasha, which is a 501C3 nonprofit corporation, and all donations are tax deductible. You can donate easily through our secure, online Donations page by clicking this link. Checks can be made out to Morasha, with "Melton" in the subject line, and mailed to
7410 SW Oleson Rd, #404
Portland, OR 97223
You can also donate through OJCF. Simply advise them to make the check out to Morasha for Melton.
Thank you for your generosity!
Melton scholarship funds are provided in part by a generous grant from 
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Holzman Foundation