These and Those

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

Archive: February 2014

My Trip to Germany

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Benjamin Friedman

“Without a profound simplification the world around us would be an infinite, undefined tangle that would defy our ability to orient ourselves and decide upon our actions…. We are compelled to reduce the knowable to a schema.” -Primo Levi The above quotation by Holocaust survivor Primo Levi says something profound yet simple about human nature Continue Reading »

Inspired by Social Justice

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Benjamin Friedman

The Ultra-Nationalist

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Benjamin Friedman

Drowsy in my Wooden womb I hide myself Inside this room As Ocean wishes to Consume me– Here I’ll lie, nursing contumely Oh– How they crash upon my ears! These waves of shouts and flood of

MASA Security and Diplomacy Shabbaton 11/22-11/23

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Benjamin Friedman

The following are a few notes about my experience at the MASA Security and Diplomacy Shabbaton, which took place in Jerusalem from November 22-23. I attended with several other students from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, (where I am a year-student enjoying financial support from MASA), and can, on the whole say that it Continue Reading »

The Patriarch’s Plea, or: Abraham’s Moment of Doubt and Pain

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Benjamin Friedman

Performed on the Negev tiyulduring the Talent Show: I sat in fire with my faith I smashed the idols of my race I left the land of father’s rules To wander far and play the fool Against great doubts I had to fight All to be keep your vision bright To keep you fixed within Continue Reading »