Social Justice Program

At a time when people are feeling the need to bring about societal change, Melton’s social justice course offers a relevant course of study and action.  Social Justice: The Heart of Judaism in Theory and Practice is a response to the suffering and indignity in our lives and in the larger world. This course explores how social justice work goes beyond addressing short-term immediate needs and looks at structural causes of injustice and how these are best addressed today. It combines the study of Jewish sources, history and work to give participants a deep understanding of social justice and a framework for navigating their moral choices.

If you’re interested in licensing this course for your community, contact us at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  As a special promotion for community partners new to Melton, the Social Justice course (including the racial justice supplement) can be licensed for $500 plus a $50 per participant fee that includes a printed or electronic coursebook.

Racial Justice Supplement

Melton is proud to offer a comprehensive racial justice teaching guide and materials to supplement the well-received Social Justice: The Heart of Judaism in Theory and Practice curriculum, applying Melton’s enriching, text-based learning model to explore this critical issue. Our approach encourages conversation and consideration without showing favor to a specific agenda or course of action.

Confronting the complex history and current state of racial injustice takes courage and honesty. With developmental guidance from former President and CEO of the American Jewish World Service and renowned advocate Ruth Messinger, this supplement takes a bold and authentic approach driven by thought-provoking texts and activities.

Multiracial paper dolls - Alamy

Why Focus on Racial Justice?

The racial justice supplement was developed to meet a growing Jewish interest in the following topics:

  • The history and ongoing reality of racial injustice in our criminal justice system
  • Recent increases in verbal assault, physical violence, and other manifestations of hatred against Jews, Asian Americans, and other People of Color
  • Healthcare inequality and disproportionate pandemic illness and death among People of Color
  • Growing awareness of Jews of Color and the ethnically diverse nature of our Jewish community

The Goal of the Supplement

Through engaging texts, activities, and discussions, learners will receive a well-rounded and meaningful learning experience that focuses on these increasingly relevant areas of study, encouraging rich conversation through a thorough consideration of the topic that includes a wide variety of sources. While the structure of the original Social Justice course remains intact, the racial justice supplement explores the breadth and depth of concerns about racism from a fresh and focused perspective. Learners will be encouraged to consider what actions they might take individually and collectively to move their communities and the world down a path of greater racial justice.

Please contact us for more information at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Melton’s Adult Jewish Learning courses encourage members of your community to become more engaged in Jewish life.

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