Soul’s Cycles: A Ride Through the Chapters of Life
Thursdays, Beginning October 7, 12 pm
Each year, Jewish adults have the ultimate opportunity for renewal. The start of Rosh Hashanah, the head of the year, marks the beginning of a year-long journey of learning, growing, and revitalization.
Jewish adults in Tidewater will be able to extend the reflection and learning that starts with the High Holidays by learning with the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning at United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
For so long, the American Jewish community believed that Jewishly educating children, “the next generation,” was the priority. Parents just dropped off their children at the school’s or synagogue’s doorway, and went on their way until “pick up time” a few hours later. Parents often felt inadequate – not being able to help with homework or follow parts of the Shabbat service that their children were learning.
Jewish educators began to realize that educating parents, grandparents, and Jewish adults in general, in addition to the children, would strengthen the community. Why? When young people see their parents, neighbors, aunts, uncles, and grandparents studying and taking Jewish learning seriously, it strengthens their perception of the importance and value of Jewish learning.
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is a prime example of adult Jewish learning that is serious, but also allows for questions and discussion and engages the minds of educated Jewish adults. The curriculum is for individuals who never had a chance to learn Jewish texts and primary sources or who want to revisit or deepen their understanding of Judaism.
Learning in the Melton school emphasizes that Jewish learning is a life-long pursuit worthy of time and commitment. There is no better time than just after the High Holidays’ period of reflection and renewal, to dedicate oneself to pursuing deep Jewish learning.
The upcoming Melton course is offered through United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Konikoff Center for Learning. The class will journey through the Jewish perspective on some of life’s milestones: birth, Bar/Bat mitzvah, marriage, divorce, mikvah, conversion – a fascinating ride that will deepen participants’ understanding for when these moments happen personally, to family, or to friends.
To register for this course or learn more about the Melton School at UJFT, visit JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman, director of Jewish Innovation, at SLautman@UJFT.org or 757-965-6107.
Miriam Brunn Ruberg