The Conejo West Valley Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning welcomes you.
Learn with us and discover unique conversation and community.
Melton is where you come for the learning and stay for the community.
FOR THOSE SEEKING A MORE MEANINGFUL JEWISH LIFE
Join the Great Jewish Conversation. Discover other wisdom seekers. Experience learning with Melton.
Our Purpose: Melton engages learners in a life-enhancing study of Jewish texts and ideas that nurtures and deepens the Jewish community locally and worldwide.
What You Can Expect:
• An Engaging Curriculum: Developed by insightful scholars, taught by highly-skilled local educators, and reviewed by experts at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
• Interactive Classes: We encourage open dialogue and discussion between learners and educators as we approach every topic with curiosity and sincerity.
• Wisdom For Life: We make Jewish texts and ideas accessible, inspirational, and enriching for all learners.
• Jewish Community: Through Melton, you become part of a worldwide movement of learners that spans many continents. Our online learning and travel seminars create meaningful connections.
Reserve your space today! Register online now. Contact Pamela Rooks, Melton Director at pamela@templeetzchaim.org for more information about classes, or to get help with questions or payment concerns.
The Melton School offers a Foundations of Jewish Family Living course for parents and grandparents. Let us know of your interest. Never Stop Learning, Never Stop Growing.
Registration is now open for evening and morning Spring classes beginning March 12, 2024 on Zoom and in-person
ARE YOU SEEKING A MORE MEANINGFUL JEWISH LIFE?
Reserve your space today! Register online now. Contact Pamela Rooks, Melton Director at pamela@templeetzchaim.org for more information about classes, or to get help with questions or payment concerns.
FOR THOSE SEEKING GREAT CONVERSATION AND DEEPER CONNECTIONS
Just added! Highs and Lows: Our Communal Joys and Sorrows 6 Tuesday mornings 9:30-11:00 am with Revital Goldreich $199 In-Person and via zoom at HAMAKOM in Woodland Hills May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11 NO HOMEWORK. GREAT CONVERSATION!
Highs and Lows: Our Communal Joys and Sorrows – Jewish history puts a new twist on the famous opening line “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” How often do we stop and acknowledge the time-honored highs and the lows of our lives as Jews? Are we even aware of them? The Jewish year guides us through our peaks and valleys as a people, our moments of triumph and of tragedy. Together, we look back on the moments that offer a deeper understanding of the Jewish people throughout the millennia — and inspire us in the present.
Click on the link below to register.
NEW! Living Wisdom: Tuesday mornings with Rabbi Adam Schaffer. In-Person at HAMAKOM in Woodland Hills.
Living Wisdom: Members of the Tribe
Tuesday mornings, 9:30-11:00 am Beginning March 12 / With Rabbi Adam Schaffer $199 NO HOMEWORK. GREAT CONVERSATION!
•Members of the Tribe / March 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16 / What is the overarching purpose of living Jewishly? Discuss the responsibilities and misconceptions that come with being called “the Chosen People.” Learn the meanings behind rituals and symbols and why Israel matters. A deeper understanding of “the Tribe” informs and enriches both the nation’s collective actions as well as individual responses to life’s big questions.
This class will be offered in-person at HAMAKOM in the West Valley and via Zoom / payment plans and subsidies available / all interested learners are welcome. Please contact Melton Director, Pamela Rooks at pamela@templeetzchaim.org if you need assistance with registration or payment.
Includes Melton eBooks. eBooks will be emailed to you before your class begins. You have the option to order a paper book for an additional $18.
Come face-to-face with Jewish texts and discover the profound intentions that have been a part of Judaism and Jewish living from ancient times to the present day. Study the moments that have shaped our collective experience, defining who we are as a people. Journey into the heart of Jewish thought and listen to the influential voices of our ancestors, modern philosophers, theologians, and rabbis throughout the generations.
Have more questions? Need help figuring out if Melton learning is right for you?
Contact Pamela Rooks, Conejo West Valley Melton Director. Email pamela@templeetzchaim.org.
Learn the Rhythms of Jewish Living--What is the point of living Jewishly? What ideas, beliefs, and practices are involved? This course examines a wide variety of Jewish sources to discover the deeper meanings underlying Jewish holidays, life-cycle observances, and Jewish practice.
Learn 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.
Learn the Ethics of Jewish Living--How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment, inter-personal relationships, end-of-life decisions, and stem cell research? This course explores the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars, and thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres.
Learn the Crossroads in Jewish History--What are the lessons and dilemmas of Jewish history, from the earliest wanderings of Abraham to the modern experiment in Jewish statehood? How do the turning points in history influence our lives today? This course investigates how the Jewish past gives meaning to the Jewish present.
Evening and Morning Spring Courses beginning March 19 on Zoom
PIRKE AVOT: more wisdom from our Sages
10 Tuesday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
with Michael Raileanu
Mar 19, 26, apr 2, 9, 16, May 7, 14, 21, 28, Jun 4
$340
Via zoom
Study the ethical teachings and maxims from the Talmudic sages which, among others, includes the famous saying: "If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am l? And if not now, then when?" -R Hillel. We will be using Sage Advice by Rabbi Yitzchak Greenberg as our primary textbook. However, any version of Pirke Avot is acceptable. This 2,000-year-old text remains as relevant today as ever. This course will examine in depth these timeless texts. This course is designed by local faculty.
WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?
10 Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
with Michael Raileanu
Mar 20, 27, apr 3, 10, 17, May 8, 15, 22, 29, Jun 5
$340
Via zoom
This course is for students who are interested in learning the answer to this great and oft asked question: Who wrote the Bible? Using Biblical, extra-biblical, and contemporary sources we will work together to find a cohesive answer. Richard Friedman's book, Who Wrote the Bible will be our guiding text, however other sources will be studied as well. Students are asked to bring a copy of “Who Wrote the Bible” by Richard Friedman. This course is designed by local faculty.
JEWISH MYSTICISM: TRACING THE HISTORY OF KABBALAH
10 Thursday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
with Revital Goldreich
Mar 21, 28, apr 4, 11, 18, May 9, 16, 23, 30, Jun 6
$340 includes melton eBook
Via zoom
This course provides a deep and intellectually honest understanding of the historical development of Kabbalah. Together we will examine how centuries of societal and cultural changes shaped Jewish mysticism, including its cryptic nature and its controversies. Learners will have the opportunity to explore the rich source material itself on a rigorous, scholarly level, and to discuss the timeless mysteries of human existence and the laws of the universe.
THE EARLY PROPHETS: JOSHUA, JUDGES, SAMUEL, AND KINGS
10 Thursday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
with Benzy Kogen
Mar 21, 28, apr 4, 11, 18, May 9, 16, 23, 30, Jun 6
$340
Via zoom
These four books that comprise The Early Prophets look at tribal rivalries, dramatic changes in leadership, and the evolution/development of the people's relationship with the Divine. This course will explore the messages of these Prophets while investigating what we 21st century Jews might glean from them today. This course is designed by local faculty.
JEREMIAH AND EZEKIEL IN CONVERSATION
10 Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:30 pm
with Revital Goldreich
Mar 21, 28, apr 4, 11, 18, May 9, 16, 23, 30, Jun 6
$295
Via zoom
In the 6th century BCE, Jeremiah lived in Judah and Ezekiel in Babylon. Did the two ever meet? There is nothing in the Bible to contradict this idea. Employing a theme-based approach, this course will attempt to find out who they were. Did their backgrounds and personalities impact their understanding of prophecy, Torah, God, and the historical time in which they lived? What did they agree on and where did they differ? Through text, music, and art explore whether and how this is relevant to us today. This course is designed by local faculty.
Travel with Melton
Explore Israel, Europe, and the Americas, gaining new insights and a deeper understanding of Jewish life, past, present, and future. Whether walking in the footsteps of our matriarchs and prophets, or grappling with major events of modern times, the learning, friendships, and beautiful memories created on a Melton Travel Seminar are simply unparalleled!.
For more information on Melton travel seminars, click here https://meltonschool.org/travel
donate locally to melton
Please consider making a donation to help subsidize learning and expand the great Jewish conversation in our community. Not everyone who wants to learn is able to pay in full. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Invite other members of the tribe in your community to experience Jewish Wisdom while engaging in Soulful Jewish Learning.
Never Stop Learning, Never Stop Growing
Have more questions? Need help figuring out if Melton learning is right for you? Contact Pamela Rooks, Director, by email at pamela@templeetzchaim.org.
Ask about our Foundations of Jewish Family Living Curriculum for adults who want to bring the conversation home to share with their children/grandchildren and friends. Learn the Master Stories and Jewish Values.
Please let us know if you would be interested in sponsoring Jewish Living Wisdom by emailing Melton Director Pamela Rooks at pamela@templeetzchaim.org.
Thank you for your participation in the ageless pursuit of Jewish wisdom!
Register now and experience the adventure of Jewish text-study
sign-up today; invite a friend
Everyone is welcome!
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