Matan adapts Melton courses for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities

Reprinted with permission from Mataninc.org

 By Matan Staff  

 In each issue of our quarterly newsletter, we are proud to spotlight an organization or program with whom we have partnered on disability inclusion efforts. For our first issue, we spoke with Rabbi Dr. Morey Schwartz, International Director of The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. Matan was commissioned to adapt two Melton courses, a total of 12 lessons to be utilized in communities around North America. Each lesson is shorter than the typical Melton lesson and is geared towards adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.


How did the desire for these modified curriculum modules come about?

A few years ago our school in Atlanta, GA asked if they could pilot the use of our Melton curriculum with a learning cohort of Jewish adults with cognitive disabilities, adjusting it to meet the needs of these learners. We gave them the green light and the results were truly inspiring; it became clear there was great potential to move in this direction on a national level.



What do you see as the greatest benefit(s) of partnering with Matan to create these curriculum modules?

Matan's extensive experience in this area as well as its stellar reputation have made this partnership a great fit for us. While for years Matan focused on inclusive opportunities for children, their expansion to adults presented a clear opportunity for us to work together. Matan has already adapted our four most recent modules, for a total of 12 lessons; both of our organizations are hopeful that we will identify additional funding that will support our continued collaboration.



What feedback have you received about these modules?

One of the local administrators in the Metrowest New Jersey community, where the curriculum was recently piloted, commented, "There was 'magic' that happened in the classroom because the participants were so comfortable in their relationships with their teacher and their fellow students that they were able to really understand the Torah learning in the context of their lives and make meaning."



Matan is grateful to have had this opportunity to share our expertise with Melton. To learn more about Matan's Resource Development and Curriculum Consultation signature program, visit mataninc.org.

If your organization is interested in bringing the What's Mine is Yours experience to your community, reach out to Melton's Director of Community Partnerships Elisa Blank at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..