Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on May 20, 2014 by Lisa Motenko
Originally posted on the Hillel Int’l Blog: This past summer I left Berkeley Hillel, where I was on staff for four amazing years, to head to Israel. I didn’t grow up in Jewish day school, or have extensive experience in Israel – so my time had come to spend a year immersing myself in Jewish text Continue Reading »
Posted on March 20, 2014 by Lisa Motenko
You are what you eat. For Jews, this adage rings especially true because we follow strict dietary laws that strengthen our relationship with G-d, as well as distinguish us from other nations. Growing up I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted – except for pig. Like many assimilated American Jews, my family did not keep kosher, but Continue Reading »
Posted on December 19, 2013 by Lisa Motenko
I chose to write a dvar torah for this week’s portion of Shemot because it is the week of my birthday and this was also the portion for my bat mitzvah 17 (gasp!) years ago! I have been privileged to study Shemot in depth this semester at Pardes and could describe dozens of fascinating insights, Continue Reading »
