Australian Jewish News Posted on 26 October 2009
Peta Jones-Pellach CHANTAL ABITBOL
THE Shalom Institute is poised for a shake-up after its longstanding education director, Peta Jones Pellach, recently announced she will be stepping down to pursue her dream of making aliyah. Her departure for Israel is scheduled for next March and marks the end of an era during which Pellach helped build up the institute’s Florence Melton Adult Education Program from its inception in 1993. But with its director gone, Shalom has decided to take the strategic step of finding the program a new home at The University of Sydney. In recent years, the two-year program has battled dwindling enrolment numbers and, most recently, the institute was forced to cut a number of its first-year classes. Pellach said her leaving provided the catalyst for the institute to make changes in the best interest of the program. The transfer is expected to be complete in time for the start of the academic year in February, she said. Meanwhile, Shalom is not expected to replace Pellach and will function without a Jewish educator on staff. The institute, however, will continue to run its other programs - including Sydney’s Limmud Oz, the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, Encounters@Shalom and the Encounters with Scholars program. “We are pleased that Melton will have a new home,” said Shalom’s chief executive, Dr Hilton Immerman. “Our new focus [will be] on presenting a larger array of stimulating shorter programs, which appeal to our busy adult learners. We have been and will continue to support the new provider.” Pellach said the changes were financially motivated. “We’re a member of the Jewish Communal Appeal, and it has been urging Shalom to do only those things that are financially viable. Melton is a program that will never be [viable]. It has to be an idealistic decision [to take it on].” Pellach said she believes The University of Sydney is better placed to service the program. “Sydney university has a number of academics on board who will supervise it, and they’re able to use office facilities at Mandelbaum House.” She added that she didn’t expect the move to disrupt currently enrolled students. “Our current first-year students will be able to continue into their second year, and it will be smooth for them. They might feel some very minor changes, but it won’t be traumatic.”