For those seeking a more meaningful life.
The Cairo Genizah – Barbara Flaz
I’ve become a Melton junkie these past two years and the lure of catching a glimpse into everyday life and social history of Jews in medieval society was irresistible. The Cairo genizah archive is a collection of fragmentary Jewish texts, sacred and secular, stored in the Ben Ezra synagogue in old Cairo/Fustat.
Under the enthusiastic ‘stewardship’ of Bryan Opert, with the added insights of Ann Harris, we examine the ‘sacred trash’, looking back into the private and public lives of the writers and observe interactions with people of other faiths, communities and countries.
Our romantic and nostalgic exploration of the forgotten world (not much different to ours), has made us aware of culture and traditions of the Jews of the period and region who held fast to their values and identity.
Jewish Medical Ethics – Dr Andrew Levin
As in all Melton courses, this is text-based. The lesson structures are carefully thought out, with source texts representing multiple viewpoints within Judaism and are not prescriptive.
I like that the texts are unaltered; some disturb, some resonate. The feeling I get is ‘WOW’, I am interacting with centuries of Jewish texts and thought. As a medical professional, it enhances my understanding. I have been surprised as the topics don’t shy away from very awkward, embarrassing realities of modern-day living, enabling even non-medical participants to understand.
This thought-provoking course sparkles because it is apparent that Judaism has been grappling with clarifying contemporary medical technological issues – significant relevance in our troubled times.
Jewish Mysticism – Nicole Martin Sorrell
Jewish Mysticism One of the gifts of the pandemic has been the ability to partake in Melton courses again, from London. My sister, Michelle and I, feel privileged to participate in ‘Jewish mysticism & Kabbalah’ under the superb tuition of Nachi Mendelow. It has been deeply stimulating and thought provoking. I admittedly have the highest standards being involved in the world of learning and development and my expectations have been significantly exceeded.
Nachi was raised in Safed and being steeped in kabbalah has great wisdom. Yet he remarkably also has the ability to lead a large group of eager students through the joys and complexity of kabbalah with both grace, humility and discipline.
RSVP Lauren Snitcher: lsnitcher@iafrica.com 0828802257
Viv Anstey, Director: vivanst@iafrica.com 0828095414
Melton Cape Town www.meltoncapetown.org for more info.
Viv Anstey, Director: vivanst@iafrica.com
Lauren Snitcher: lauren@snitcher.org
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