What Are Our Learners Saying?

Ann Zartler

Ann Zartler lives in Rhode Island, and this is her first year learning with Melton & More. Ann has been hearing about the Melton & More courses from her sister Sue Klau, a Melton CORE graduate and an active student for the past 20 years.

Question: You are taking three courses with your sister, Sue Klau, this semester, and you are participating in the year-long CORE program! How has this experience impacted you?

Not since college have I been so excited about learning. To be involved with such brilliant scholars and wonderful fellow students is the great gift of the Covid tragedy. I could not have anticipated that CAJE would be so central to my life during the past 11 months.

Question: Share with us the best post-class conversation you had with your sister, Sue. 

I have learned so much about my sister Sue that I didn't know I was missing. Her incisive responses and pertinent questions during classes have revealed to me the depth and breadth of her knowledge of her Jewish studies and of her wisdom. 

The most memorable post-class discussion with Sue occurred when I was saying that I don't know what I would do without CAJE in my future. Sue said, "Once you've let the genie out of the bottle, you can't put it back in." To contemplate going forward without continuing this exhilarating and life-enhancing education is unimaginable.  I'm not leaving my beloved Rhode Island, so I need CAJE to keep coming to me!

Question: What courses have you taken this year?

One Man’s Search For Truth; OMG, Can You Believe?; MOT: Members Of The Tribe and the year-long Melton CORE program: Crossroads of Jewish History and Ethics of Jewish Living. 


“Let your home be a meeting place for sages.” 

– Pirkei Avot 1:4


Debbie and Michael Troner

Debbie and Michael Troner are committed life-long Jewish learners and take multiple Melton & More courses together every semester. Michael is a member of the board of the International Florence Melton School.

Question: We love that you take courses together! Tell us more about the power of Melton & More Jewish learning and how it's impacted your life as a couple?

We find studying as a couple an immensely enriching and rewarding experience because we have our own hevruta (study partner) to discuss how we each interpret the texts. We are able to learn from the wonderful teachers we have and from each other. It is so much fun to be able to expand our interpretations of what we have learned with each other.

Question: One of the courses you are currently taking together is “To Have & To Hold: The History of the Ketubah” with Rabbi Manny Vinas. What is one takeaway from this class that totally surprised you?

Well, we were totally blown away to find out that Sephardic and Ashkenazic customs and ceremonies differed so greatly! This was an incredible revelation. Rabbi Viñas always blows us away with his revelations of Torah and Text.

Question: What Classes have you taken this year?

Rise of A Kingdom: The Book of I Samuel; Talmudic Kama Sutra: Romantic Love and Sexuality in the Rabbinic Tradition; A Dwelling Place of the Soul: Mishkan HaNefesh; Swimming in the Sea of Talmud; Rise Of A Kingdom: The Book of I Samuel Part 2; Biography of the Bible; One Man’s Search for Truth; To Have & To Hold: The History of the Ketubah; We Are What We Remember: The Ever Evolving Transmission of Jewish History; OMG: Can You Believe?!; A Nation Sings: The Evolution of Israeli Pop Music. 


“Learning Must Be Sought—It Will Not Come of Itself!” 

- Reish Lakish, Midrash Mishlei 2:4


Shep Faber & Aly Faber

Shep Faber & Aly Faber: Shep serves on the Adult Learning Advisory Board. He has been an active Melton & More student for many years. Since classes went online, his daughter Aly was able to join him in the Melton & More classroom from her home in North Carolina. 

Question: In reflecting upon your experience of learning with your daughter this past semester, what are some highlights you would like to share?

Shep: Mostly, just sharing the experience with my daughter was a highlight for me. We zoom all the time during the pandemic but learning together with my daughter was special. I love that I could introduce her to Melton & More and for her to see how I spend much of my time and the appreciation I have for Melton and More. I am definitely a “kvelling parent!”

Aly: I really enjoyed taking this class with my dad as we are in two different states and I haven't seen him since quarantine. This is a great way to have a shared experience remotely. I sincerely enjoyed the class Rhythm & Jews. Who knew Jews were so influential in the music industry? A real eye-opener!

Question: What courses have you taken this year?

Swimming in the Sea of Talmud, The Hidden Traditions of Purim and Passover, Jewish American Voters in 20th Century Presidential Elections and Aly joined me for Rhythm and Jews.


“Blessed is the child who studies with his father, and blessed is the father who teaches his child."

- Talmud


Lily Blank

Lily Blank is an active member of the Adult Learning Advisory Board and has been taking Melton & More classes for the past 11 years.

Question: What has been a lesson from one of your courses that has made an impact on your life?

11 years ago I arrived in Miami from Venezuela and I heard about Melton but I wouldn’t dare take any courses because my English was not so good. However, there was a Jewish Literature course being offered in Spanish by Prof. Henie Hajdenberg.

That first class with Melton & More gave me the opportunity to connect to a new life, new city and meet people who were here before me. And of course learn about Jewish literature. After this course, I felt “at home” and Melton became a place of meeting new people and experience other aspects of our tradition. Since then, there hasn’t been a semester where I am not signed up for multiple Melton courses.

Question: As a Jewish educator from Venezuela, tell us what inspired you to continue your pursuit of Jewish learning with Melton & More?

I graduated from Gratz College in 1986. When I came back to Venezuela, I was the director of an Adult Jewish Center. I am passionate about Jewish learning and know that there is always more to learn! Melton & More is just perfect for me. The courses are as good as any university but without the stress of tests and finals! 

Question: What classes have you taken this year

Swimming in the Sea of Talmud, Intermediate Hebrew, From the Shtetl to the Art Galleries and MOT: Members of the Tribe. 


“Let the Lesson You Study Be Like a Song!”

- Abaye, B. Talmud Shabbat 106b


David Jackowitz & Hillary Tescher

David Jackowitz & Hillary Tescher (father/daughter) have been taking classes together for 9 years. They are active Melton & More learners and are big Dr. Sandra Lilienthal fans!

Question: You and your father have been participating in Melton & More courses together for several years. Share with us the significance of this special time together? 

My father and I have been studying together for 9 years. When he retired and attended his 1st class with Dr. Sandra Lilienthal, he said,” You have to come!” Dr. Lilienthal is both enlightening and non-judgmental and brings the topics to life! It is such a special opportunity to study and learn and grow together with my father. After class we have lunch…all sacred time together that I cherish.

Question: What Classes have you taken this year?

This year David took Superstitions in Jewish Life & Ritual, Jewish Identity in American Film, and Hillary joins him for OMG: Can You Believe?! And MOT: Members of The Tribe.


“We Are Born for Community.”

- Josephus


John McGuire

John McGuire heard about Melton & More “through the grape vine.” He joined the community this year and has already taken 7 classes!

Question: You have shared with us that although you are not Jewish, Melton & More courses have played a meaningful and significant role in your everyday life. Tell us what inspires you to continue your journey of Jewish learning with Melton & More?

A good friend of mine, Shep Faber, told me about the Melton & More classes … so I decided to sign up for the very same courses he signed up for. That motivated me to sign up for a few more cultural courses in art and music. I took 5 courses in the Fall and currently am taking 2 more classes this spring. Melton & More courses are not only of interest for Jews; I find the topical material to be of general interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the vast topics covered.

Question: What classes have you taken this year

Rhythm and Jews, Chagall is Not the Only Jewish Artist, The Jewish Character on American Television, Superstitions in Jewish Life & Ritual, Jewish Identity in American Film, From the Shtetl to the Art Galleries, and The Impact of Jews on Classical Music.


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