Many MELITZamerica programs deal with current affairs in Israel and the Jewish World. Israel's dynamic situation means that often the programs are "overshadowed by the headlines" as soon as they appear on the site.

Our programs always reflect the latest circumstances and use cutting-edge interactive techniques to bring you the issues that interest you in the most entertaining and informative way.

Melitz educators are coming to North America. They are available for as long or as short as you like to do informal Jewish and Israel education with all segments of your community (except children 5th grade and younger). The basic cost is $1000 per day, or $500 per single program, plus domestic travel costs where applicable. Discounts available for a full week. The dates are as below, although some have already been reserved:

Oct 19 - Nov 19, 2007     Feb 1 - 17, 2008     March 24 - April 7, 2008     April 28 - May 25, 2008

Educators are available outside of these dates, by special arrangement, with the addition of international air fare. In addition to our full menu of cutting edge programs, we are proud to introduce you to 2 new ones that we have been working on for the last few months.

Survivor-Melitz's Jewish Adventure

Survivor-Melitz's Jewish Adventure is a fun, interactive simulation loosely based on CBS's hugely popular "Survivor" series. Participants conjure up a selection of figures from Jewish history to confront the challenges and problems of world Jewry in 2007. No prior knowledge is required, many will recognize familiar figures, but all will meet some unexpected characters from times past. In the dramatic climax of the program, participants are invited to consider and formulate a vision for the future of the world Jewish community.

The program is suitable for all adult audiences, with additional versions suited to high school and student audiences. Duration: 90 - 120 minutes.
Optimal audience size: 20 - 60.

Constructive vs. Destructive: An Instructive Look at Criticizing Israel

An interactive Melitz program that debates the question of what are the appropriate boundaries when it comes to criticizing Israel. As Diaspora Jews, is it our role to be loyal friends in all circumstances or does our love of Israel require us to raise our voices in protest from time to time? And if so, where? And how? In this innovative Melitz program we will convene the court of public opinion to discuss real cases drawn from recent events in America and Israel. While presenting evidence and hearing from "witnesses" we will explore the unique nature of our relationship to Israel and what responsibilities come along with that.
For adult audiences. Duration: One hour - 90 minutes.
Optimal audience size: 20 - 60.

The Strangers Among Us: Arabs in Israel

Israeli Arabs make up 20% of the population of the Jewish State. How much do we really know about them?
Melitz's The Strangers Among Us: Arabs in Israel program aims to disperse some of the fog surrounding this substantial part of the population through an honest, yet balanced look by an Israeli Arab and an Israeli Jew at some of the following issues:

• As loyal tax-paying citizens, how do they feel when they sing "Hatikva" as their national anthem?
• In what ways are they treated equally, and where do they find discrimination?
• What happens with army service, education and higher education, health care, infrastructures?
• here has Israel succeeded in relating to the Arab minority as prescribed by our own Jewish sources?
• ow does Israel, as a modern, open, Western, liberal democracy relate to a sometimes hostile minority group, some of whom openly call for the State's destruction?
• How does that treatment compare to other Western democracies?
• How accurate is Dr. Nabila Aspanioli, a feminist Palestinian human rights activist,
• when she says: "Israel is a Jewish democratic state; democratic for the Jews and Jewish for the Arabs"?

The program provides basic information and confronts some of the most controversial issues facing contemporary Israeli society. Suitable for adult audiences, duration: 90 - 120 minutes.

Please contact us now to reserve your educator or for more information.

The War Against the Hezbollah:
What Really Happened? What is Next?

Issues to be explored include: Did this war have a winner? How did Israel do in the media war? Should Israel negotiate to free hostages? Where do Syria and Iran come into play? What was the role of private charities and volunteers, both Israeli and foreign?

This unique interactive program facilitated by expert Melitz educators direct from Israel, reviews and analyzes the events with the advantage of hindsight. The program will:

• Bring you the personal stories behind the headlines, and relate events not covered by the international media.
• Pose real life dilemmas faced by soldiers, civilians and our leadership.
• Examine critical questions about the future facing Israel today.
• Look at the important role of the support and solidarity expressed by Jews the world over.

The program requires no prior knowledge but is also suitable for those who follow the news from Israel daily.

Redeeming Prisoners (Pidyon Shvuyim)

How do Jewish classical and texts relate to the issue of ransoming kidnap victims? The program examines prisoner exchanges in Israel, and our position on recovering captured Israeli soldiers.

Solidarity with Israel - 1500 years before the UJC coined the phrase

Explore the subject of Jewish solidarity through the eyes of classical Jewish sources. How can one identify with Israel at times of crisis? To what extent should Israeli affairs affect our everyday lives?

War and Jewish Ethics

How do Jewish texts address the topic of armed conflict? Under what circumstances should Israel initiate or participate in a war? What do Jewish sources have to say about this?

A Soldier’s dilemmas

A chance to confront and voice opinions about the dilemmas faced by Israeli officers and soldiers as they arose in the current conflict. Explore the official ethical code of the IDF to understand the value system of the armed forces that exist to defend Israel.

A Democratic Jewish State: Achieved? Still striving? Or impossible…

In the eleven years since the assassination of Israel’s Prime Minister, Yitzchak Rabin, z”l, Israel has had 5 elections, 6 governments and 5 Prime Ministers. Participants explore issues such as “What does it mean to be the only democratic state in the Middle East?”, “Are Jewish values and democratic values compatible?” , “What does it mean to be a minority in a Jewish state?” and “What are the biggest challenges facing Israeli democracy today?”

Bridging the Gap

At a recent event in the U.S., Israeli author A. B. Yehoshua said that only Israel, and not Judaism, can ensure the survival of the Jewish people. The event caused a furor and sparked off an intense debate re-examining the multifaceted relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. Let’s talk about being Jewish in the diaspora and Israel and its implications for the future of Judaism as well as the place of Israel in the life of a Diaspora Jew and the place of the diaspora in the life of Israel and Israelis.

A Constitution – 58 years in the making and maybe more

In 2006 The Knesset Committee on Law and the Constitution released a draft of a proposed constitution in order to stimulate public debate in Israel. If Israel truly is the State of the Jewish people then this constitution has implications for all of us. Lets talk about it from a North American perspective, an Israeli perspective and a Jewish perspective.

Meet the Press (or as they say in Israel- Po Politica)

Participants in this Melitz program play an active role in exploring the most controversial issues catching the headlines in Israel and the world media. Through role-playing, participants “become” central figures in Israeli society and have a chance to put forward their own thoughts on the issues in Israel and the Jewish people’s future, and also to see those issues through the eyes of those whose role they and others play.

Interfaith Families and the Israel Connection

Reaching out to intermarried couples and families is a central topic on the North American Jewish community’s agenda. Melitz brings its own unique angle to this effort with this fun, engaging and challenging program that highlights the family’s relationship with Israel as part of the attempt to sort out their Jewish identity. Highly recommended for interfaith engaged couples, as well as married couples (with or without children and irrespective of whether the non Jewish spouse has converted or is considering converting). Program for adults only.

Our Invisible Brothers-Israelis in the US: An Untapped Resource

Part One of a Series of Two

Israelis living in the US confront daily a whole host of issues regarding their identity, loyalties, children etc. Often, they are not connected to the organized Jewish community, even though they have incredible resources of all kinds to offer. We offer this program to you, as a way of reaching out to this often-marginalized group, to begin the long and delicate process of bringing them into the organized Jewish community.

Part Two of a Series of Two

Melitz has accumulated decades of specialized experience facilitating mediated Mifgashim (encounters) between Israelis and American Jews. Overcoming cultural hurdles, the program brings about a genuine, direct and open meeting once the masks have fallen, often resulting in the most fulfilling long-term relationships. This Mifgash (Encounter) can take place right in your own community between ex-pat Israelis and American Jews– starting a dynamic to enhance communal involvement, cohesion and unity.