The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning continues to innovate with the announcement of its newly established “Rabbinic Council,” composed of a select group of congregational rabbis from across denominations.
Council members will support Melton’s international commitment to ongoing adult Jewish learning by serving as sounding boards for new ideas; assisting in identifying potential major donors or new international board members; and meet online semi-annually to discuss key organizational initiatives.
Melton’s Rabbinic Council is made up of founding members Rabbi Greg Alexander of Temple Israel in Cape Town, South Africa; Rabbi Richard Camras of Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills, Calif.; Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, N.Y.; Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh of Temple Emanuel in St. Louis; Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, N.J.; Rabbi Robert Slosberg of Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Louisville, Ky.; and Rabbi David Steinhardt of B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, Fla.
The inaugural meeting of the Melton Rabbinic Council took place in November.
“The first meeting was a milestone event,” said Slosberg. “It reflects the close partnership between Melton and the rabbinate. The creative insights around the table were inspiring.”
The leadership team of the organization—executive director Rabbi Rachel Bovitz and international director Rabbi Dr. Morey Schwartz—both spent time as congregational rabbis and have taught Melton courses in local communities. They set up Melton’s Rabbinic Council to “elevate the adult Jewish education field by bringing dedicated leaders together for a unified mission that will help sustain Jewish life and advance Jewish learning globally.”
Hersh said “this diverse group of rabbis speaks to the deep commitment Melton has to pluralism. The council’s unbridled enthusiasm will build unlimited possibilities and attest to Melton’s adult learning being an unparalleled educational treasure trove.”
