These and Those

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

Tag Archives: imperfection / perfection

Why Swarthmore’s Hillel Should Not Become “Open”

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Suzanne Singer

I wrote this to Swarthmore’s Hillel in hopes that it would engage them in responding to me. I have heard nothing. I expect that some Pardes students may be interested and want to challenge/ agree/ expand my thoughts. In Support of Hillel “Guidelines” Why Swarthmore’s Hillel Should Not Become “Open” On December 8, 2013, Swarthmore’s Continue Reading »

(Im)perfect Together

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Taylor Winfield

I found this Jerusalem Bible sitting on the hefker table without a cover or binding. It just sat there distressed, pages falling out, looking for a new home. I knew that I could not let this bible be buried. I had to find a way to fix it. I stood for a minute and let Continue Reading »

shabbos medicine

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Eva Neuhaus

i am convinced that judaism contains within it all of the spiritual technology we need to heal the wounds we have experienced in the history of our people. i notice the survival patterning in my body–my inability to stop running and striving and lurching forward for fear that i will die–how hard it is for Continue Reading »

On Teshuvah

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Eva Neuhaus

My friend Adam Mayer posed a question that stuck with me through the Days of Awe: What is the most effective way to do teshuvah? How can we forgive ourselves and others completely? Here are some of my reflections: 1. The fact that we’ve done bad things doesn’t make us bad people. Examining our shortcomings Continue Reading »

I just want this to be Perfect

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Avi Benson-Goldberg

From my blog: This summer, I tried to teach Judaics to 15 year olds for 8 weeks. It was probably a failed mission from the beginning, because the last thing any 15 year old wants to do is spend an hour inside with a 24 year old authority figure, even as patently cool and with-it Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Chalk and Rivers

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Eli Steier

Studying at Pardes was amazing, and I gained much. One of the things I learned from my experiences at Pardes is how to be more comfortable with not knowing the answer, to not be so worried about getting life wrong. Let me explain, and lay my position on the table. I do believe there is Continue Reading »

A Poem: “Moshe”

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Eli Steier

Perfect standards for Perfect people Do not take us out of the wilderness And our people have known wilderness All too well Perfect standards for Imperfect people Are just enough to Take us Home

[Alumni Guest Post] I also have a dream?

Posted on January 21, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Dan (Year ’10) shared the following reflection on Facebook… his writing is poignant as usual! Dear MLK: from one flawed human being to another flawed human being who changed the world – how did you do it? How did you see a different reality when others said there’s no chance that it will come true? Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Cooking Love

Posted on January 17, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

A thought about halakha by Jeremy Sorgen (Spring ’11): When one cooks for another, one cooks with love. Cooking becomes an act of devotion and the food tastes better because it is made with a key ingredient: care. One must strive to do everything this way, that is, as a means of expressing love. Devotion Continue Reading »

the layers come off

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Shoshana Rosen

From my blog: The layers come off Did that grab your attention? Well don’t get too excited, sorry to disappoint. I was bracing my self for that cold shock on my face, but I got off the bus, and the sun hit my face. Oh hello sun! I walked to a coffee shop (duh) and Continue Reading »