International Alumni Association Kallah a Success in Chicago!

FMAMS ALUMNI NETWORK NEWSLETTER

J U L Y 2 0 1 2

z What’s Happening at FMAMS z

Fifty-five participants recently met in Chicago in April for the International Alumni Association Kallah, featuring our outstanding Melton faculty Dr. Yonatan Mirvis and Haim Aronovitz, as well as former FMAMS North American Director Dr. Betsy Dolgin Katz and Dr. Hal Lewis, from Spertus College in Chicago.  The weekend explored the topic of Jewish Identity, and provided an opportunity for Melton learning and camaraderie in North America.  Five participants joined the IAA, bringing our total to 171 worldwide members.  With renewed energy and commitment, we are exploring dates and locations for next year. Please watch your email for details.

“The IAA Kallah was a source of warmth, intellectual strength, and dedication for all the participants. Kudos to Jody and our Chicago staff for the planning and execution.  The incredible opportunity to learn with Yonatan, Haim, Betsy, and Dr. Lewis was enhanced when combined with the opportunity to learn from each other. How fortunate we all are to have this miraculous connection of being Melton students!  We are planning for next year and hope many of our members can join in the experience of an Alumni Association Kallah.”

Rose Weitz, IAA Chairperson

• That the North American office holds an Annual New Faculty Orientation for new Melton faculty hired to teach Purposes, Rhythms, Ethics, Dramas or Foundations. “New” faculty includes those teaching in Melton for the first time or beginning their second year of teaching. The next NFO is Monday, August 20 – Tuesday, August 21 in Northbrook, IL.

• All Melton Student Readers will be available as e-books this fall! Speak to your site director to request this book format.

• The Cincinnati, OH Mini-School launched its local Melton alumni association as part of an afternoon of learning titled “Let My People Know,” and featuring Dr. Hal Lewis as keynote.  This is an exciting opportunity for Cincinnati to sustain and grow its Melton community

• Planning is underway for the International Directors Conference in January 2013 in Jerusalem for Melton site directors. 

• On Monday, June 4, graduates from the Raleigh Mini-School gathered to celebrate their achievement. "It was just a fantastic evening," says Janis Zaremba (Director, Raleigh).  In addressing fellow students, one class member reflected on what Melton meant to him, saying Melton "added a crucial missing ingredient to my Jewish experience... 'pride.' Not the boastful, over-confident brand of pride, but a humbled pride.... Pride can only exist with an understanding and an appreciation of value. So, regardless of whether it's an accomplishment, a discovery, an invention or an achievement there can be no appreciation without first understanding all that has been invested and is necessary for pride to exist. It's impossible to be proud of something you do not first value."  Kol Hakavod to the 31 graduates from Raleigh and Melton Mini-Schools everywhere!

Did You Know...

Membership and Alumni Network Growth• 172 IAA members• 20 Sustaining Partners• 25 Local Alumni Associations• Over $86,000 in alumni membership fees shared with local sites since its inception in 2004

We invite you to purchase these beautiful Melton Tribute cards to have on hand to send to family and friends.

Packs of 5 cards are available for $50/pack, including shipping. If you would like to purchase these cards, please send a check to Jody Hyman’s

attention payable to: FMAMS, 95 Revere Drive, Suite F, Northbrook, IL 60062.

Alternatively, you may continue to send Tribute cards by calling our office or ordering them on-line through the following link: www.events.org/fmamsmarkingmilestones

Alumni Tribute Cards Available for Purchase

The message on the front of the card reads as follows:

‘And he shall be like a tree planted by waters, that spread out its roots beside a stream ... it is not troubled, nor shall it cease bearing fruit.’

Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) 3:22

z Helpful Links z

Facebook.com Marking Milestones

www.meltonschool.org

Florence Melton Israel Seminars A remarkable journey of heart and mind!Join the Florence Melton Israel Seminars

A remarkable journey of heart and mind!

J��Call our Israel o!ces toll free:U.S.A. 1-877-729-2805 Canada 1-866-786-7718 U.K. 0-800-056-9556 Australia 1-800-008-094

J��Write to us at israel.sem@fmams.org.il

For details contact:

Explore Israel’s landscapes and sites, using texts

as context

2012 Classic SeminarsMarch 12-22 (US$3470)

June 25-July 5 (US$2755) July 16-26 (US$3555) Oct. 22-Nov. 1 (US$3555)Prices above do not include air fare.

2013 Classic SeminarsMarch 4-14

June 17-27

July 8-18

Oct. 21-31 2013 prices will be posted on our website as they become available.

For full details about all our seminars in Israel and Europe, please visit our website:

www.fmams.org.il

J�Haim Aronovitz Director of Israel seminars International O!ce +972-2-588-2087

J�Sue Parker Gerson North American Liaison for Israel seminars +1-303-951-0275

For details contact:

Haim AronovitzDirector of Israel seminars International Office+972-2-588-2087

Call our Israel offices toll free:U.S.A. 1-877-729-2805

Write to us at israel.sem@fmams.org.il

Visit us online at www.fmams.org.il

ISRAEL:WRESTLING WITH THE ANGELS – A Journey Through Jewish History(March 4-14, June 17-27, July 8-18 2013)

This ‘fifth’ core course of the Melton program is the natural choice for your first Melton Israel seminar, even if you have visited Israel previously! It takes participants through 3,800 years of the land and its narratives, from the world of Abraham to contemporary Israeli society. Texts serve to bring the sites alive and provide an opportunity to explore pivotal moments in the history of the Jews in the land of Israel.

ALTNEULAND REVISITED (Oct. 22-Nov. 1, 2012)

This seminar explores Israel through the challenges that have been faced and how they have been addressed since Herzl himself visited the old-new homeland over 100 years ago. Issues examined include social, religious, ethnic and legal issues, all within the context of ancient and modern texts. The seminar is designed as a supplement to the Classic seminar, but can stand alone for those keen on encountering contemporary Israel.

BIBLICAL IN-SITES (Oct. 21-31, 2013)

We encounter patriarchs and matriarchs, kings, prophets, soldiers and judges – and the land itself ! – as we study Tanakh on site, discussing the text and its implications, with insights gained from being in the locations described in

the Biblical text. This seminar visits sites not encountered in previous seminars, to further weave a rich tapestry in exploring the land and its narratives.

SPAIN, THEN AND NOW(April 29-May 10, 2012; Sept. 29-Oct. 10, 2013)

Iberia served as the setting for one of the most remarkable chapters in Jewish history: that of Sefarad, embracing tragedy and great creative powers alike. The great poets, thinkers and statesmen of Sefarad help raise critical questions for us: when do Jews flourish? What ties do we have as a minority with the surrounding cultures? What happens when Jews are themselves a majority culture? The seminar explores these issues, both in southern Spain and in Israel.

BETWEEN POLAND AND ISRAEL: Where Did God Dwell?(Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 2012; April 21-May 2, 2013)

At the start of the twentieth century, Poland’s Jewish community was the greatest in the world. This seminar visits a number of pivotal locations in Poland and Israel, tracing the outlines of a critical chapter in the history of the Jewish people through tothe Shoah and considering its central role in the developmentof the Yishuv (Palestine) and the State of Israel.

FoundersAbrahamy, Sara (Sala)Altschul, Karen Ball, Judith Benjamin, SandyBlau, Carl & BobbieBlechner, SherylBlum, JeniferBodzin, TanyaBrenowitz, Randi Brill, Ron & LisaChapalas, GeneCooper, Wendy FeinDucak, CarolEpstein, FredaEylacher, AnnFirestone, SusanFleischman, StephenFogel, William & DottieForman, Carole & BarryGoettel, HenriGold, Morris & PhyllisGold, JackGoldburg, BarbaraGoldman, SandraGordon, Jerry Grajwer, Luiz & FlorenceGrynberg, CelesteHaber, Ed & MagdaHamermesh, Marion/LawrenceHendler, LeeHoffman, KittyHorowitz, JackHyman, JodyKahn, JudithKalmanson, Jacob & RobertaKammerman, Steven & GayleKaplan, LaurieKasner, JoanKasser, JudithKatz, Donald Katz, Sheldon & JudyKoor, Robert & JudithKorelitz, Jay & PaulaKrebs, LanaLerner, JudyLerner, KimLester, GloriaLevine, HerbertLitwack, Lawrence z"lLuxenberg, David & LindaMakovsky, Evi BachrachPanitch, SusanPaynter, TammarPelavin, NatalieReich, Henry & AnneRitzenberg, RhodaRobey, EvaSeptimus, Ed & SusanSchulman, RobertaSchutzman, Norman

Boca Raton Boca Raton Washington DCAustraliaCanejo/West ValleyAtlantaKansas CityWashington DCPalo AltoAtlantaPhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaKansas CityBoca Raton Kansas CitySpringfield, MADallasRichmondWashington DCKansas CitySan DiegoColumbusDenverDenverDenverBoca Raton DenverKansas City

WilmingtonBaltimoreChgo BJEAtlantaChgo BJEPortlandBoca Raton PhiladelphiaWashington DCMiamiPhiladelphiaBoca Raton/ColumbusStamfordIndianapolisDetroitAtlantaWashington DCBroward CtyBoca RatonBoca RatonChgo BJERochesterDenverPhiladelphiaWashington DCBoca Raton

Washington DCAustraliaHoustonBaltimoreWilmington

Seaman, DorothyShackmaster, CarolSheps, SheldonShlesinger, Joyce LShonfeld, Marilyn z"lSimon, MickieSkigen, VickiSmigel, BettySobelman, BettySpain, AnnSpellman, MelissaStahl, Carol AnnWallk Katz, Rabbi AmyWeinstein, CaroleWeitz, Rose & StephenWiener, EthelindWizer, Dorothy Young, Toni Wasserman, Norton & RachelWeiss, Albert & SherrieWinick, Eugene & Ina

SupportersBrownstein, FredericEvers, ValarieFrankel, Richard z"lGoldman, DonaldGould, Marlene z"lGreenberg, Richard & EileenGross, Barry & MerleGurvey, KatherineHarris, EvelynHaun, ShannaHoover, ElizabethHuffman, KurtItkin, AlexisKaplan, ValerieKeusch, SuzanneKleinbaum, EllenKrison, JoanLevin, SuzanneLichtenstein, WernerLischkoff, Herman & DorothyLivingston, NancyLondon, BarbaraWaltzer, Bruce & MiriamWhitcomb, JulieZebede, Jaya

AssociatesBenkendorf, RubyBirken, Eric & MarciaFeldman, SharonFriedman, RochelleGruber, MarianGutow-Ellis, RachelKanter, MiriamMills, SheilaRatner, LaurayneSamuels, BobbiPoleshuck, Victor & JoyceTepper, Debi & JerryWeber, Mark & Debbie

Boca Raton PhiladelphiaSt PaulAtlantaChgo BJELouisvilleDenverPhoenixNonePhiladelphiaChgo BJEBoca Raton Kansas CityRichmond/Boca Raton Boca Raton Boca Raton Boca Raton WilmingtonChgo BJEChgo Comm FdnWestchester

RochesterBoca Raton DenverKansas CityBoca Raton DenverChgo Comm FdnChgo Comm FdnIndianapolisKansas CityHoustonDenverWashington DCLaurel, MDNorthern NJSt PaulPhiladelphiaDetroitRichmondAtlantaDenverPhiladelphiaDallasDenverMiami

St. LouisRochesterChgo Comm FdnWashington DCBoca Raton HoustonYonkers, NYAtlantaSan DiegoHoustonRochesterDenverWashington DC

z IAA Membership Registry z

z FMAMS SustainingFMAMS SustainingFMAMS Sustaining Partners z

Silver – minimum $500 to $999/year Gold – $1,000-$4,999/year

Platinum – $5,000/year

Silver – minimum $500 to $999/year Gold – $1,000-$4,999/year

Platinum – $5,000/year

Silver – minimum $500 to $999/year Gold – $1,000-$4,999/year

Platinum – $5,000/year

Gold Silver

z 120 Club Donors z

(as of 6-31-12)

Donors to the 120 Club will help provide for future learners the unparalleled Seminar experiences provided by the Melton Institute at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as additional new curricula and resources for the future.

Henri Goettel Independence, MO Carol Anderson Delray Beach, FL Laurie Kaplan  Washington, DC Bobbie & Carl Blau Encino, CA Betty Sobelman Northbrook, IL Randi Brenowitz Palo Alto, CA Rose Weitz Boca Raton, FL Kitty & Bruce Hoffman Arlington Hts, IL Dorothy Wizer Boca Raton, FL Elizabeth (Betsy) Hoover Katy, TX Jody & Bruce Hyman Highland Pk, IL

Judy & Marshall Kupchan Skokie, ILKim Lerner Plantation, FLEthelind Weiner Ft. Lauderdale, FLAl & Sherrie Weiss Riverwoods, IL

Baker FoundationJudy Ball

Judy BecherSandy Benjamin

Ruby Benkendorf Sheryl BlechnerJennifer Blum

Carole FormanBill and Robin Carr

Sharon FeldmanRochelle Friedman

Henri Goettel

Donald GoldmanLuis and Florence Grajwer

Mo and Phyllis GoldRon and Susan GoldsmithJoel and Judith Greenman

Betsy HooverSharon FeldmanLaurie KaplanJudith Kasser

Jay & Paula KorelitzErrol Lipschitz

Michael and Susan Moses

Irv and Betty NitkinVictor and Joyce Poleshuck

Rhoda RitzenbergLeslie and Howard SchultzRichard and Gail SteinbergBruce and Miriam Waltzer

Ethelind WienerHelga Weisburger

Sherrie and Al WeissRose Weitz

Dorothy Wizer Ethelind Wiener