These and Those

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

Archive: June 2013

So Many Ways

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

It is so hard to believe Annie and my year in Israel is already over! We are sitting in our hostel room in Tel Aviv, taking in the sounds of the city, as we contemplate returning to Toronto, changed in so many ways. This year has been a year with so many different facets. Challenging, Continue Reading »

The Wicked son….

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello everybody! Here is something that I wrote in a workshop run by Avigayle Adler! We were asked to write a letter expressing the feelings being felt by one of the 4 sons from the Pesach seder to their father… See what you think! Dear dad! Don’t condemn me for having a strong spirit and Continue Reading »

Leaving on a jetplane….

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

It is hard to believe that Annie and I only have 2.5 weeks left in Israel! The year has gone by so fast, and the end is really starting to affect me more then I ever thought it would. It almost feels like a family breaking up. I feel the days slipping away as the Continue Reading »

Only 5 weeks left in Israel!

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

I can’t believe we are down to our last 5 weeks in Israel! David Bernstein said that it would absolutely fly by, but I never realized how right he was! I feel like my time in Israel is slipping away, and there are so many things still on my bucket list! I have had such Continue Reading »

Or Halev Meditation Retreat with James Jacobson-Maisels – Incredible experience!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello! I spent the entirety of last week doing very little but learning so much! Annie and I went on the week-long Jewish meditation retreat, taught by Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels (think Self, Soul, and Text), and Rabbi Jeff Roth, at Kibbutz Hannaton. Over the entire week, we could not talk to anyone except for participating Continue Reading »

Women and Men at the Wall

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello Pardesians! I went to Women at the Wall this week, and I have to write about it! It was an incredible experience in so many ways! I had gone to Women at the Wall once before, but I think this was the biggest turnout yet! Also, what gave it a different flavour was a Continue Reading »

Amazing day at the Hadassah Medical Centre Ein Kerem!

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello Pardes! If anyone has not yet visited the Hadassah Medical Centre at Ein Kerem it is an absolute must! I had a personal reason to visit the hospital this morning. In 2006 I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic blindness disorder, during a routine visit to the Optometrist’s office. Since that time, doctors Continue Reading »

Script for “Who is a True Canadian?”

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello everybody! Here is the script for the great Canadian Purim shpiel that I put on, along with all of my other fellow Canucks, this year! Enjoy 🙂 Stuart Who is a true Canadian? Cast Members: Stuart Matan Lithwick, Annie Matan Gilbert, Daniella Adler, Rachel Rosenbluth, Cait Power, Ruth Wicks, Avi Spodek, Derek Kwait, and Continue Reading »

Ayeka: Getting Personal with G-d

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello! Over the past month, I have been a part of the Ayeka class, being run by David Bogomolny at Pardes. It’s funny. When I first arrived at Pardes, I had no idea of the meaning of the word, “Ayeka”. I had no idea of its significance in the Tanach and in everyday life. However, Continue Reading »

Chanukah is almost here! Unbelievable!

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

The following post has been cross-posted from my Studymoon blog. Hello! Shmatan here again, writing from the holy land! I cannot believe that Chanukah has almost arrived! That means that all us Pardesniks have now been here for 3 months! It blows my mind how fast time goes by. Before, we get started, I must Continue Reading »