These and Those

Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem

Archive: January 2017

[Alumni/Staff Guest Post] My story of loss, hope and Tu B’Shevat

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Hirsch Fishman

Karen Feuer (Year ’99-’00 and current Pardes staff member) shares her thought about Tu B’Shvat. Seven years ago I underwent induced labor with twins at only 21-weeks into my pregnancy. The pregnancy was no longer safe for me, and this forced, early labor (that sounds nicer than “abortion”) was the result. It was a gut-wrenching Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Why Were the Jews Given the Torah?

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

X-posted from Eryn’s blog post: Eryn London (Summer ’06 & ’07, Community Education ’10, Year ’10-’11, Hourly ’11-’12) made Aliya from New Jersey three years ago. She is currently studying in the Manhiga Hilchatit Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum, which is a 5 year advanced Halacha learning program. Beyond learning she also runs activities at a Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Blurred Realities by Daniel Wolf

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Parshat Tazria presents the laws of zara’at (leprosy). This lengthy exposition that continues into next week’s portion highlights the difficulties in learning (and teaching) the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus). The detailed laws of kosher animals from last week’s portion are complicated enough. But over one hundred and fifty verses about lepers and bodily discharges overwhelmingly stretch our Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Frostbite and Recovery by Evan Wolkenstein

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Evan Wolkenstein (Year ’99, Fellows ’00, PEP ’00-’02) reflects upon the 2014 Pardes ‘Spring Forward’ Retreat for Judaics Teachers (from his blog) I had no business being outside without my arms covered. But Stu and I needed to run. Clearly. That’s what we’ve always done together. Stu packed smarter than I did. He brought a Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] ‘The Miracle in the Mirror’ by Ilana Lipman

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

by Ilana Lipman (PEP ’07, Assistant Director of the Pardes Educators Alumni Support Project) Storytime season is upon us. When I think of the Purim/Pesach season, I see vivid characters from far away countries, heroes of our people, crowns and jewels and riches and royalty, evil people and good people, dark fears and startling redemptions. What rich stories Continue Reading »

Torah of New Snow

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Laurie Franklin (Year ’13) sent us this poem, written as she watched a blizzard and read from Kedushat Levi: Laurie Franklin is the spiritual leader and rabbinic intern at Har Shalom. She can be reached at laurief AT har-shalom DOT org. Torah of New Snow Torah of New Snow, after Kedushat Levi White feathers of Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] A Brilliant Partnership – by Aviva Golbert

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

This week’s parasha, Pekudei, is the last portion in the Book of Shmot (Exodus), and the final section in a series on the building of the mishkan, or tabernacle, in the desert. As such, I think it would be instructive to look back at the idea of “God’s house” in an earlier segment of the Continue Reading »

[Faces of Pardes] Six Word Memoirs

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Last week, we ushered in the Faces of Pardes week to highlight and celebrate our students’ unique stories and the diversity that exists within the Pardes community. The main activity tying together our students’ experiences to their Pardes experience was a project inspired by the Six Word Memoir movement (see here for the original incarnation: Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] ‘From outside Pardes’ by Aaron Voldman

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Aaron Voldman (Fall ’12, Elul ’13) is still taking classes at Pardes, as a Dorot Fellow. He recently wrote this poem- Over the din Of traffic A flute sounds Signaling the start of class To the melody of “Tov lhodot Lashem:” “It is good to praise Hashem To declare in the morning his kindness And Continue Reading »

[Staff Guest Post] A Cast, An Urn and A Community

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

by Debra Weiner, Pardes Staff I have lived in Israel for over 20 year yet had never visited Turkey – only 2 hours away yet worlds apart. When I heard that a group of students would be traveling to Turkey with Rabbi Levi Cooper, I jumped at the chance to travel with them. I had Continue Reading »