These and Those

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

Tag Archives: relationships

[Alumni Guest Post] A Holy Stranger with Open Arms

Posted on May 1, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Alissa Thomas (Spring ’11) blogs about relating to Jewish Converts, inspired by her own father: There is nothing like seeing my father dressed head to toe in all white. His soul hearkens to the time of the Kabbalistic rabbis who, draped in white clothing, would sing Kabbalat Shabbat in the fields. I imagine my father in his Shabbat white Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] A Bridge Between – by Avi Spodek

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Avi Spodek

Over these past few weeks I have been reading Steven R. Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People as part of my coursework in Jewish educational leadership. Covey’s message and delivery are inspiring, and I highly recommend to this book to anyone and everyone. Its main premise is that leaders are most effective when Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] A Love Grounded in Relationships

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

Lisa Narodick Colton (Year ’99-’00) reflects upon theimpact of a recent trip to Israel with her son. I was 21 years old when I first came to Israel. A summer in Tzvat begged more questions than it answered, and I returned for 15 months in Jerusalem (including Pardes) to fill in the openings. This Pesach Continue Reading »

A Peek into the Black and White World

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: I have Haredi cousins. I did not know this until last Friday night, enjoying couch-conversation with one of said cousins before Shabbat dinner. “So what do people in this neighborhood call themselves?” I asked, wondering (after seeing all the black hats and streimels) which sect of Ultra-Orthodoxy I had resigned myself to Continue Reading »

New Friendships

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Tadea Klein

Talk to me, talk to me Talk to me! Fill me up with your stories, play me your life Pour it into a tea-cup and let me drink deep I, once content in my aloneness Find myself craving the contact Of an arm across my shoulder A knee resting against my own Take interest in Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Into This Breach – by Rabbi Joshua Ratner

Posted on April 6, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

R. Joshua Ratner (Pardes Year ’98-’99) is the rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in Cheshire, CT. Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in May 2012, Rabbi Ratner was a Joseph Neubauer Fellow and also earned a Master’s Degree in Midrash and a Certificate in Pastoral Care. He also worked as an attorney for five years Continue Reading »

My Ayeka Journey

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Annie Matan Gilbert

Among the many blessings I have experienced this year is the Ayeka course facilitated by David Bogomolny.  I share here some of my favourite take-aways from the course (handily preserved in my writing exercises and reflections.) This module was about bringing God back to the conversation.  I felt like it gave me a place to Continue Reading »

Love and a Pigeon

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: Ten Characteristics of a Good Pigeon Handler: The pigeon handler is moderate in his disposition. A reckless pigeon handler frightens the pigeons. The pigeon handler is loyal and responsible and carries out his tasks in an orderly and punctual fashion. The pigeon handler is kindhearted and cares for each and every pigeon. Continue Reading »

The only way to leave mitzraim is out of love

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Shoshana Rosen

From my blog: When I asked him why he made the haggadah he took a step back and gave me a weird shocked face, and said, “no one has asked me that question.” I also looked surprised, “no one has ever asked you why you wanted to make a haggadah?” He replied, “Well, not tonight.” Continue Reading »

Freedom For Girls

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Heather Kantrowitz

From my blog: I would like to take this opportunity to wish girls and women everywhere a happy Passover – a Passover that is filled with freedom. Freedom from “I’m not good enough” and “why doesn’t he* like me.” Freedom from wanting your life to be like a T-Swift love song, freedom from not “going Continue Reading »