Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 23, 2018 by Maxim Delchev
We just came back from the Ulus School in Istanbul, where we spent our two days learning together with the high-school students about Pesach. And we decided instead of sharing with you what we taught in the school (we hope that the kids will share that next Friday on their Pesach celebrations at home), all Continue Reading »
Posted on March 23, 2018 by Maxim Delchev
A Rabbi, a medical doctor, a biologist, 12 teenagers and a director of spice trade corporation went together to a dining hall…. And that is not the beginning of a very strange joke. But it was exactly what happened to us in our second day in the Pardes trip to Turkey. While we spent most Continue Reading »
Posted on March 22, 2018 by Nate Swetlitz
Bright and early. Well, it’s not bright yet because it’s too early. But we make it to the airport, and in no time we’re back in the city of sinuous streets, countless spires, and constant noise. Istanbul spans many cultures and two continents. We began our day back in Turkey on the Asian side, visiting Continue Reading »
Posted on February 22, 2018 by Morane Bensoussan
After an eventful day visiting Istanbul’a main synagogues and touring around Buyukada island, popular summer destination among the Turkish Jewish community, we took the last ferry back to the city for an evening at “Aleph”. Aleph is the youth movement affiliated to the high school we will be teaching in tomorrow and on Friday. Thanks Continue Reading »
Posted on February 20, 2018 by Maxim Delchev
Countdown to departure to Turkey: 15 hours. I am starting to complain about not really being ready or packed. And everyone is asking me the same questions: Are you packed? Are you excited? Are you ready? And I am giving the same answers: No. Yes. I don’t know. Countdown to departure: 12 hours: Still not Continue Reading »
Posted on February 16, 2017 by Suzie Schmitz
After a wonderful sleep at our host families’ homes, we were back up and exploring the community early this morning. We started the day with Shacharit and breakfast at the Ortaköy synagogue near where we are staying and then spent most of the morning and afternoon hopping in and out of different active and no Continue Reading »
Posted on February 15, 2017 by Jesse Nagelberg
We’re here! After weeks of meeting, planning programs, and discussing the history, politics, and culture of Turkey, we finally flew to Istanbul this morning to start our six-day journey exploring the city and working with the Jewish communities here. Once we landed, we hit the ground running with visits to the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Continue Reading »
Posted on February 14, 2017 by Anya Morgulis
“Hey, want to go to Turkey?” my friend asked me one day at school. My response was something along the lines of, “I don’t NOT want to go to Turkey…” But, when I found out about this incredible opportunity to travel with Rabbi Levi Cooper to Istanbul and meet and learn from the Jewish community Continue Reading »
Posted on January 19, 2016 by Johanna Press
On Friday we visited Ulus Jewish School in Ortakoy, where we presented interactive educational programs about Tu B’Shevat for elementary- and high-school students. Since I am a Torah lishma student and not part of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, I felt a bit nervous about stepping outside of my comfort zone and teaching in Continue Reading »
Posted on January 19, 2016 by Binyamin Cohen
The Hahambashi, Chief Rabbi of Turkey, Rabbi Yitzchak Haleva, is quite a character. He’s not a big man, but his jutting beard, bright eyes, and fireball personality make him unforgettable. We had the honor of meeting with him on Friday, and were honored by his presence throughout shabbat. We stepped into his office on Friday, Continue Reading »
