These and Those

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

Tag Archives: life in Israel

Pardes *is* my family

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez

As I progress in my pregnancy and it becomes so visibly obvious people become more and more free with their questions, and one of the most common ones I get goes something like this: Person: Are you going to have the baby here or go back to America? Me: Here! 🙂 Person: Is your family Continue Reading »

What I’ve Learned About Myself Thanks to the Israeli Health System

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Jessica Baverman

From my blog: As a resident of a country whose primary language isn’t my own and where the health system is very different, I often have challenges when needing to get things done. Seeing a doctor that speaks English is so amazing, you have no idea. We completely take it for granted in the US Continue Reading »

Only in Israel, Sukkot 5774 edition

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Jeff Amshalem

This Shabbat we were at lunch in the sukkah of a friend, Shmulik, whose life story reads like Israel’s. Both his parents were survivors of Auschwitz. After two years in a DP camp they tried to come to Eretz Israel on the famous SS Exodus 1947. They were stopped by the British and sent back Continue Reading »

Free Advice for Future Pardesniks

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Yisrael Ben Avraham

I’ll be a Pardes alum in the next couple weeks and possibly a second year student. I thought I’d write a list of random things for new and returning students to make their lives in Israel easier and enjoyable. These are in no particular order, but I cannot emphasis enough how much Ulpan Morasha chews Continue Reading »

Holy Arithmetic

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Laurie Franklin

One An outlander arrives in J-town. Not my first time and G!d-willing, not my last. In a newish role: student, not teacher! The book is open. Minus one Disequilibrium: distance from home and life partner, Jitters, does anyone understand who I am? Do I understand who I am In this novel circumstance?

Highlights from a day in the life…

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Cara Abrams-Simonton

From my blog: ד׳ באייר תשע״ג April 14, 2013 יום ראשון Yom Rishon, the first day (of the week) meaning Sunday… [I’ve decided to try to write seemingly mundane highlights for blog posts from now on since it has been so difficult for me to actually invest time in the extremely detailed descriptions I initially Continue Reading »

Ghosts in the night

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Abayiss

Tonight is the night.   No, I am not OK. No, you can not help. No, you do not understand. No, I am not alone.   Tonight is the night I dread all year. All the ghosts that have been pushed into the shadows (with the exception of the occasional visit) come out. Tonight is their Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Three Stories

Posted on April 10, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) shares some anecdotes: Occasionally, I witness events that I think are funny, but I am unsure if others will find them humorous, this week witnesses three small incidents that I think most will find humorous. Enjoy: Early Sunday morning I was standing at the bus stop in Jerusalem, awaiting Continue Reading »

The Sirens Blared

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Heather Kantrowitz

From my blog: There are certain moments in my life where everything has come to a screeching halt. Most of these have just been moments when my personal world, or maybe my family or community, has stopped. Today (Yom HaShoah), I experienced an entire country ceasing all activity – learning, work, driving, shopping – and Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Walking the Land

Posted on April 3, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Posted by Daniel Shibley (Yr ’11, Fellows ’12): The Great Outdoors. Most digital cable and dish networks in the United States have an entire channel or two devoted to the outdoors and the numerous related activities, from hunting and fishing, to hiking and camping. Israelis, although I am not able to vouch for the television Continue Reading »