First-Year  Undergraduate course

The Melton Mini-School’s centre at the Hebrew University has developed a core curriculum, which is the cornerstone of the program worldwide. The curriculum comprises four courses PURPOSES, RHYTHMS, DRAMAS, ETHICS, studied over two years and all the courses are based on a study of Jewish texts .The curriculum is organised thematically and a great deal of work has been done to make the content appropriate for Australian Jewish learners.

The four modules of the program for essential Jewish literacy has been designed to be tackled over two years and students enrol one year at a time (comprising two 15 week semesters a year.)
Year One: Purposes and Rhythms  Year Two: Dramas and Ethics

The Purposes of Jewish Living – essential Jewish beliefs and ideas, which emerge in the Bible and other sacred texts. The course explores Jewish beliefs and concepts with topics ranging from The purpose of Creation ; Why we pray; What does it mean to be the Chosen people ..Why us? Or Responses to suffering in theHolocaust . A wide range of texts are examined reflecting Melton’s pluralist agenda.

The Rhythms of Jewish Living – the traditional patterns of observance connected with life events and the cycle of the year are examined more deeply. Festivals and traditions are seen in another light and you will derive an understanding of the “why’s” behind the “what” of many of the things Jews practice… be it an examination of what it means to “rest” on Shabbat to the role of women in Judaism.