Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 27, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
On January 15th, I went to Poland with a group of students and faculty from my school. The trip was a “heritage seminar,” an opportunity to explore and appreciate the Jewish vibrancy that existed in Poland prior to World War II, much of which has left an enduring mark on the history of the Jewish people. Continue Reading »
Posted on March 6, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted here: Last Wednesday, my school held its annual Yom Iyyun Shel Chesed (Day of Kindness). This special day is held in the memory of Marla Bennett and Ben Blutstein, z”l, who were killed in a suicide bombing attack in Jerusalem in 2002. Marla and Ben were both students at Pardes, pursuing their dreams Continue Reading »
Posted on January 12, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted here. For the past 7 years, I’ve lived in the little town of State College, Pennsylvania. One of the primary modes of transportation around the Penn State campus is the CATA bus system. If you’re not familiar with it, allow me to paint a picture: The bus makes two loops around campus: Continue Reading »
Posted on January 11, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted here. Teach me and instruct me how to behave with all people in the world so that I may merit being in peace with all, even with those who disagree with me, And so that I should merit to always be a lover of peace,and a pursuer of peace As it is Continue Reading »
Posted on December 19, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
From my blog: In Jerusalem, everyone has a *guy: “You want to buy fish? Oh you HAVE to go see my guy in the shuk.” “My cheese guy is the BEST. He let’s you try whatever you want.” “Time for a haircut? You have to go to my guy on Emek!” The fun, and perhaps Continue Reading »
Posted on November 28, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” -John Muir Last Tuesday through Thursday, my school went on a tiyul (trip) to the Negev desert. The pictures can tell the story. (The detail is better in the ORIGINAL Continue Reading »
Posted on November 23, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
“Sleep less, do more…and have the courage to fail.” -Rabbi Levi Lauer Every Tuesday at Pardes, we have a school-wide learning session, where a faculty member or guest lecturer speaks about a “critical issue” facing the community. Last week, we heard from Rabbi Levi Lauer, a past dean of Pardes and the current executive director and Continue Reading »
Posted on November 8, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
This was originally posted on ‘Life According to Lauren’ My roommates and I decided a few weeks ago that we wanted to make our kitchen kosher. The word kosher literally means “fit,” and it refers to the Jewish dietary laws. There are different reasons why one might choose to “keep kosher.” Here are a few Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
Now that the biggest chunk of Jewish holidays is over, we are finally settling into a rhythm at school. Personally, I feel like I’m getting into the swing of things, and starting to really understand the many benefits of studying Jewish texts. One of the most unique components of Jewish learning that I’ve come to love Continue Reading »
Posted on October 26, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart
Cross-posted from “Life According to Lauren”: Today, it rained in Jerusalem for the first time this season! Why is this so notable? The middle east faces a chronic water problem. Every bit of water is crucial to the well-being of this arid region, and when there isn’t rain, people suffer in a dangerous way. Continue Reading »
