Melton and PAS Graduate Classes: Spring 2021
The Florence Melton School and PAS Graduate program is a place for scholars, seekers, and questioners. Start or continue your Jewish journey with us through deep, inclusive, and diverse course offerings. Find your tribe of fellow learners and discover something new each semester, guided by our dedicated faculty. We can’t wait to learn with you!
For more information about the Melton program, please contact Ellie Benjamin, Adult Education Coordinator (ebenjamin@pasyn.org / 212-369-2600x149).
GRADUATE COURSES
Continue your Jewish education with our semester-long morning and evening classes from the Florence Melton curriculum, as well as courses created by our faculty. Completion of the core program is recommended, but not required.
Graduate Course Registration Process
Pre-registration for the fall semester will open for a seven-day period: Thursday, January 7 at 9:00 am through Wednesday, January 13 at 11:30 pm. During this time period, students are asked to fill out the form with their class preferences. Students may pre-register at any point during this seven-day period, and all entries will be recorded through Wednesday, January 13. No payment is required to pre-register.
At the close of the pre-registration period, if a class exceeds its capacity, we will use a lottery system (via a random number generator) to assign students to the class. We aim to foster the collaborative, discussion-based environment a moderately sized class provides, though we expect there may be some flexibility in class sizes. Anyone who is not randomly selected will be automatically added to the waitlist in a random order for their desired course, or may register for a course with open spots. Students will be notified of their registration status on Friday, January 15 by 3:00 pm, and will be given instructions for registration and payment, if applicable.
If you have any questions, please be in touch with Ellie Benjamin, Adult Education Coordinator (ebenjamin@pasyn.org / 212.369.2600 x 149).
Wednesday Evening Graduate Classes
PAS Graduate Course
Hasidism: A History
Wed / Begins Feb 24 / 7:00 pm
Rabbi Shmuel Afek
This course will provide an overview of the history and development of Hasidism from its beginnings in the late 18th century through its first golden age in the 19th century, its decline and destruction in the first half of the 20th century, and its miraculous rebirth in what is now being called its second golden age.
PAS Graduate Course
New York Jews and "the City"
Wed / Begins Feb 24 / 7:00 pm
Dr. David E. Kaufman
What makes New York a “Jewish city?” Beyond the simply demographic answer, this course will explore how the Jews of New York City have engaged with their urban environment and contributed to the city’s culture and economy, establishing New York as the modern Jewish city par excellence.
Thursday Morning Graduate Classes
Melton Graduate Course
Shemot I:
From Slavery to Sinai
Thu / Begins Feb 25 / 9:15 am
Rabbi Zuckerman
This course brings us the Egyptian narrative of our people from “Pharoah’s Paranoia” and “Moshe’s CV” to the dramatic story of our rescue, and survival in the wilderness during “Into the Sea” and “Manna from Heaven.”
PAS Graduate Course
The Book of Judges:
The Battle for Israel's Soul
Thu / Begins Feb 25 / 9:15 am
Rabbi Savenor
This in-depth study of the biblical classic will explore the early triumphs and travails of Israel, the impact that leaders and parents can make on future generations, and the internal and external challenges to the formation of this young nation’s soul.
MELTON CORE PROGRAM
The Melton core curriculum is a comprehensive two-year program of weekly Jewish learning, providing a foundation in Jewish tradition and practice, history, and ethics. More than 30,000 adult learners have participated in this international program designed by expert educators at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The course meets most weeks from October to June each year, and each weekly session includes two text-based courses that integrate Jewish philosophy, ritual, ethics, literature, theology, and contemporary Jewish life.
Melton Year 1
Thu / Begins Oct 15 / 9:15 am
Rabbi Cosgrove and Rabbi Philp
Learn what we believe as Jews and why in the class "Purposes of Jewish Living." Examine the ideas, beliefs, life cycle, and holiday practices involved in leading a Jewish life in "Rhythms of Jewish Living."
Melton Year 2
Wed / Begins Oct 14 / 7:00 pm
Rabbi Witkovsky and Rabbi Joel Shaiman
Experience the unfolding of the Jewish story in “Crossroads of Jewish History.” In “Ethics of Jewish Living,” students learn how Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment, interpersonal relationships, end-of-life decisions, and stem-cell research.