Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on November 21, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, Today, I am inspired to write by two of my dear friends and beloved chevrutot (learning partners): Merissa Nathan Gerson and Dana Adler. Thank you Merissa and Dana! Last week’s parsha, Vayishlach, is filled with a lot of difficult questions and interactions. To name a few: Yaakov wrestles with an angel and is Continue Reading »
Posted on November 14, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, This past week I was struck by a passage in the parsha that reminded me of a word (actually a Hebrew root) that comes up in several parts of the Shabbat liturgy. To be honest, I was very surprised to see this word used in a context that has absolutely nothing to do Continue Reading »
Posted on November 7, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, Last week I went on a day trip exploring East Jerusalem, specifically the Mount of Olives, Silwan (neighbouring the City of David), Sheikh Jarrah, Damascus Gate and the Old City. The objective of the trip was to explore a side of Jerusalem many of us don’t often see or interact with, and therefore, Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
Reading the beginning of Parshat Lech-Lecha, I was struck by its opening words. God’s command to Avraham to leave his home, his family, his country and move to a place that God will saw him is quite incredible! But it seems that God is demanding from Avraham more than the physical and emotional separation from Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by David Bogomolny
Posted on October 31, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, It’s that time of the week again! Hopefully the coming week will be filled with lots of optimism, more rain (we need it here!), productivity, smiles and love for all of us!! In Israel, the Shabbat of Parshat Chayei Sara is often highly politicized. Since the Torah reading talks about Avraham’s purchase of Continue Reading »
Posted on October 25, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I hope all is well with you and that your week has been a productive and uplifting one! Thank God, I can say that mine has been very busy — but with the best of things: Torah study, Torah study, more Torah study, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the beauty Continue Reading »
Posted on October 25, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
As part of our pedagogic training in the Pardes Educators Program (PEP), we are required to teach a 35-minute lesson to our colleagues. We can choose to imagine them as a group of potential day school students or as they are, i.e. as adult learners in Pardes. A few weeks ago, it was my Continue Reading »
Posted on February 11, 2010 by The Director of Digital Media
A poem inspired by the 2010 Pardes Poland trip by Cheryl Stone: MAJDANEK Breathe deeply my dear Breathe We have long since been forgotten Breathe They will not remember The guard tower watches over us Protecting The city pulses nearby But we are already dead Breathe The light brushing of blue Continue Reading »
Posted on January 25, 2010 by Phil
A brief explanation. As David pointed out already, the Poland trip was filled to the brim with learning , walking, and reacting. Getting back to the hotel at midnight, we were expected up and bright eyed by 5:45. As the days went on, it became increasingly difficult to process our thoughts by the time we Continue Reading »
