Voices in Jewish Education

Don't Forget Adults

Quality adult education has an impact on the Jewish life of our community.

Q: What will it take to make Jewish
learning exciting, meaningful and
ongoing for all ages?

SHARON HART
Special to the Jewish News

0

ne of the most innovative
adult education programs
in our community has
proved to be SAJE
(Seminars for Adult Jewish
Enrichment).
Initiated in January 1999, this
series of courses immediately caught
the attention of both Jewish educa-
tors and adult Jewish learners. SAJE
met three nights a week over a six-week period in the
neutral location of both Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit buildings. The program proved
appealing and inviting to more than 500 Jewish
adults.
In our community, where the formation of partner-
ships has become crucial for financial, staff and leader-
ship reasons, SAJE took this role quite seriously.
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center, the
Agency for Jewish Education, Federation's Alliance for
Jewish Education and the Jewish News, SAJE put
together a winning combination of sponsors. Recently
endowed through the generosity of Cis Maisel
Kellman, the financial security for SAJE has been
achieved for the future.
With more than 50 courses taught by
Conservative, Secular Humanistic, Orthodox and
Reform rabbis and cantors as well as educators and
agency professionals, the SAJE classes are varied and
provide much appeal to both the affiliated and the
unaffiliated. "Building a Jewish Home," a course held
earlier this year and specifically designed for young
adults, attracted 45 individuals; it concluded with

ttIN

9/15

2000

44

The challenge
for us as a
community is
to take the
excitement of
SAJE and
translate it into
a lifetime of
learning.

Federation Young Adult Division-
sponsored Shabbat dinners.
The uniqueness of SAJE is that
it has permeated the community
in a very short time and allowed
for quality adult education in
short-term courses that are varied
and inviting. Each person seems to
find a comfortable niche within
SAJE's offerings.
The challenge for us as a com-
munity is to take the excitement of
SAJE and translate it into a life-
time of learning. It is an issue that
I have discussed often with my co-
chairs, Irwin Alterman and Dr.
Lynda Giles.
Perhaps continuing Jewish education will be
stimulated by the implementation of the Florence
Melton Adult Mini-School, set to begin in
September 2001. Continuous and effective partner-
ships established by congregations and organizations
to formulate classes and programs with broad appeal
also will promote the lifetime of learning concept.
This year, SAJE intends to extend its course
offerings to the Ann Arbor Jewish community.
Organizers also intend to expand lunch-and-learn
sessions to focus on specific groups, such as young
attorneys or physicians or the Institute for Retired
Professionals at the JCC. Innovative outreach is nec-
essary for continued success.
SAJE is one quality example of excellence in
learning. As an organized and effective community,
we in Detroit have the skills and the desire to be a
catalyst for meaningful education. Hopefully, SAJE
is just the start. ❑

Sharon Hart, a former chair of SAJE, is first vice
president of the Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit.

