The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

A Pluralistic Approach

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a world pioneer in the field of adult Jewish education. With its international headquarters at the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a national office for North America in Northbrook, IL, the Mini-School, a social franchise, forms an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. Founded in 1986 at the initiative of Florence Zacks Melton, a community activist and longtime supporter of Jewish education, the Mini-School initially opened with three pilot sites in North America. Driven by her vision, there are now 62 Mini-Schools in 60 cities throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, attended weekly by some 5,500 students.

Commitment to Learning

Students enroll in a sequential two-year course developed specifically for adult learners. They meet one day a week throughout the academic year. The Mini-School infuses students with a desire to make Jewish learning a way of life which often continues beyond the first two years into Mini-School graduate courses.

Sophisticated Curriculum

Four text-based courses make up the sequential two-year curriculum written by a team of experts at the Hebrew University's Melton Centre for Jewish Education - the world's largest academic center for Jewish education.

Quality Teaching and Learning

To preserve the high standards which are the hallmark of the Mini-School, all faculty members - educators within the community - must participate in ongoing professional enrichment programs. This also contributes to the community's educational resources. Questioning and dialogue are encouraged in a pluralistic classroom environment.

Israel-Diaspora Partnership

Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Centers, Bureaus of Jewish Education and community coalitions are the Hebrew University's partners in the Mini-School. This ensures a community commitment to maintaining the high level of quality expected of each Mini-School.

There are study and enrichment seminars for alumni, faculty and directors at the Hebrew University: the Israel Seminar for Graduates, the Faculty Israel Seminar and the International Directors Conference.