The
Florence Melton Adult Mini School (FMAMS), developed by Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, is the most exciting Jewish adult education program of the
last twenty years. Located in close to 70 communities in the Anglo-Jewish
world, including Canada, the United States, Australia, South Africa and
England, it commenced in Greater Vancouver in September 2005. Running
for 30 weeks annually, it offers 2 courses per year, one hour per week
each.
There
are no prerequisites for enrollment other than a commitment to devote
two hours per week over two years to explore, experience, and define the
meaning of Judaism. There are no examinations or grades. Upon completion
of two years, you will receive a Certificate of Jewish Study from the
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute at the Melton Centre for Jewish
Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Jewish Studies
When Disaster Strikes, Where is God?
Instructor: Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan
Every person of faith wrestles with this question, and we can find support for our wrestling in the writings of Jewish sages. In this class, we will study excerpts from four writings that offer four different answers.
The Biblical book of Job describes one man’s response to suffering. The Biblical book of Eichah-Lamentations offers responses to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Midrash Eleh Ezkerah is a parable that responds to Roman persecution of Jews in the second century. Rabbi Kalman Kalonymous Shapira’s Aish Kodesh-Holy Fire offers Hassidic teachings.
Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan is the Rabbi of Or Shalom Synagogue. She currently teaches at the Florence Melton School, the University of British Columbia, and the ALEPH Rabbinic Program. We 7:30-9:00pm 9914
Apr 14-May 5 (4 classes)
M$95/N$110 +tax
Judaism and the Afterlife: What Happens Next?
Instructor: Rabbi Lindsey Bat Joseph
What do we Jews believe in – Heaven, Hell, Sheol, Reincarnation…? The Afterlife is something that's only hinted at in the Tanach and has become more fully developed with the advent of Rabbinic Judaism.
What we believe and how we face the ultimate unknown has also changed with the times. In this class we will explore several divergent positions on what happens after we die as well as engage in some lively discussion to explore what you believe.
Rabbi Lindsey Bat Joseph served as the Rabbi at Beth Ora Congregation in Edmonton for 11 years before moving to BC. Currently the Rabbi of the Okanagan Jewish Community, she also teaches adult Jewish Studies at Burquest, the Comox Valley and the Florence Melton School. Th 2:00-3:30pm 9915
Apr 15-May 6 (4 classes)
M$95/N$110 +tax
Summer Course
Reading the Hebrew Bible: More Trouble in Genesis...
Instructor: Stephen Schecter
Isaac‘s eyes were failing, the Bible tells us, but Jacob was so close that Isaac could touch him. So how did Isaac fail to recognize his own son?
How did that son fail to recognize his own wife? How did Jacob allow his sons to slaughter his daughter’s betrothed in the Romeo & Juliet
original? The Bible tells us stories of human mayhem so that we may learn. But what ARE we are meant to learn?
Explore this template of western
literature by reading from Genesis with Stephen Schecter, Ph. D., poet, sociologist, and teller of Bible stories. Tu 11:0am-12:30pm 9916
Jun 15-Jul 13 (5 classes)
M$95/N$110 +tax
Melton Curriculum New classes begin in October 2010
1st Year JCC
of Greater Vancouver
950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Rhythms
of Jewish Living Central ideas and texts which inform rituals daily, weekly, annual,
and life cycle observances.
Purposes
of Jewish Living Essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the
Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts.
Tuesdays: 1:15-3:30pm Instructors:
Barbara Halparin/Rhythms (1:00-2:00pm)
Lissa Weinberger/Purposes (2:30-3:30pm)
2nd Year
On
the North Shore - Congregation Har-El
1305 Taylor Way, West Vancouver
Ethics
of Jewish Living
Ethical issues such as justice, life and death, sexuality and community,
with case studies from Talmudic, rabbinic and contemporary literature.
Dramas
of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages
Dramatic developments, experiences and issues from different periods
in Jewish history, as reflected in historical texts.
The
Florence Melton Adult Mini School (FMAMS), developed by Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, is the most exciting Jewish adult education program of the
last twenty years. Located in close to 70 communities in the Anglo-Jewish
world, including Canada, the United States, Australia, South Africa and
England, it commenced in Greater Vancouver in September 2005. Running
for 30 weeks annually, it offers 2 courses per year, one hour per week
each. 