Top row: Dr. Stanley Smith, Dr. Martin Snyder, Diane Carrone, Dr. Roberto Luna; Middle row: Shana Prohofsky, Helene Smith, Beth Dorsk, Mickey Glick, Janet Kass; Front Row: Anne Weimar, Rita Frank, Sara Jo Rubin, Cindy Krell.
The 10th graduation of adults from the Simon Family JCC’s Florence Melton Adult Mini-School took place on June 4. Thirteen adults completed the “core” program which involves two years of classes for 30 weeks each year. After these two years, students celebrate their graduation.
In Tidewater, the Mini-School has completed its 11th year, with 156 people in the community who have graduated or completed two years of the Mini-School curriculum.
At the forefront of adult Jewish learning, the Florence Melton Adult Mini- School’s international headquarters is at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The North American office is in Chicago. The Mini-School offers adults the opportunity to attain a level of Jewish literacy through the study of Jewish texts in an interactive, pluralistic and non-denominational environment. After two years, a student receives a certificate from the Hebrew University and has the option to continue learning in classes offered to Melton Graduates.
The “3 docs”: Dr. Roberto Luna, Dr. Marty Snyder, Dr. Stanley Smith.
This year’s graduating class was very diverse and included three medical doctors. During the evening’s program in which each graduate participated, the class announced they were donating funds to enable other adults to become students in the Mini-School. Recognition was also given to the school’s faculty including Rabbi Roz Mandelberg, Rabbi Michael Panitz, Sheila Panitz, Cantor Gordon Piltch, Rabbi Arthur Ruberg, Miriam Brunn Ruberg, and Rabbi Susie Tendler.
Plans are underway to start a new first year class in the fall. For information, contact Miriam Brunn Ruberg at the JCC.
Graduate Beth Dorsk celebrates with three generations of her family