These and Those

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

Archive: March 2014

Flowers of Bread

Posted on March 20, 2014 by David Bogomolny

I recently searched for & found these online instructions for making flowers out of old bread. This would be a fun art project – it’s not so complicated: Spread the slices of bread on a tray Crush the bread to form fine crumbs Add in white glue (and paint) to the breadcrumbs Start making the Continue Reading »

My SermonSlam on ‘Amalek’

Posted on March 19, 2014 by David Bogomolny

Alai, My Singular Aleinu

Posted on February 1, 2014 by David Bogomolny

Aryeh Ben David once asked me, “What does it mean to be Jewish?” Reflecting upon this, I had some vague ideas, but had never much considered it. “The word Jew (יהודי) is derived from the name Judah (יהודה),” he answered himself, “which comes from the root ‘to thank’. So, for me, the essence of being a Continue Reading »

Spiritual Stolpersteine

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David Bogomolny

oh no. My plane on the runway at Ben Gurion International Airport, I’d just realized that I’d forgotten my tefilin (phylacteries) in Jerusalem. calm down. you’ll deal with this. think about it — lots of people in the group will have their tefilin with them… My internal voice of reason was reassuring, but I felt Continue Reading »

Mission: Perplexing

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David Bogomolny

Tonight, in Berlin, I am sharing this dvar Torah with my fellow Pardesniks and other Germany Close Up participants – Shabbat Shalom, Everyone! In reviewing Parshat Yitro, I find myself drawn to the four psukim (verses) of the 3rd Aliyah – much happens in these lines – a story in and of itself! The Book of Exodus Continue Reading »

Snippet of my Prayer Journey

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David Bogomolny

I count myself among those who wouldn’t quite know how to begin a conversation with G!d without a great deal of practice and forethought. What would be worth saying? What would bring G!d to listen? Traditional Jewish prayer works for me – it’s expected of me, ostensibly by G!d, regardless of my awkward reluctance, and Continue Reading »

A Name for Us / A Name for You

Posted on October 6, 2013 by David Bogomolny

I presented this dvar at our Shabbaton yesterday: Parshat Noach contains one of my favorite Biblical stories: that of the Tower of Babel. Together with you, I’d like to tease a few details out of the p’shat (the simple reading of the text), explore two midrashim (early rabbinic exegesis), and suggest a metaphor for the Continue Reading »

Nothing New, Really

Posted on September 20, 2013 by David Bogomolny

When Jessica Baverman recently wrote about her developing relationship to the Kotel, I was reminded of some of my thoughts about and feelings towards it. I remember reading Avi Spodek’s post last spring, appreciating his struggle, and agreeing with him that “the incidents at the Kotel these past few months have dominated the atmosphere” at Continue Reading »

Encouraged

Posted on August 30, 2013 by David Bogomolny

We currently find ourselves in the Hebrew month of Elul, counting down the days to Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year). Traditionally, many Jews recite Psalm 27 every morning during the month of Elul and through the High Holy Days, and I’d like to bring our attention to the final pasuk (verse) of this psalm: Continue Reading »

Investigation: ‘Leading from Behind’

Posted on August 21, 2013 by David Bogomolny

The Genesis at Brandeis University program where I’ve worked for the past two summers has many moving parts on the participant, staff and faculty levels. The ‘investigation’ component of a residential staff member’s responsibilities is an opportunity for professional development, through which the staff person explores an element of hir work at Genesis (or its Continue Reading »