Blogs posts and reflections from students and alumni
studying at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Have a story or reflection to share? Email us: info@pardes.org.il
Dvar Torah on Parshat Balak for Isidor Goldberg’s 21st yahrzeit
Posted on July 6, 2025 by Carole Daman
Dvar Torah on Parshat Pinchas for Isidor Goldberg’s 20th yahrzeit
Posted on July 18, 2024 by Carole Daman
Posted on October 12, 2023 by Carole Daman
I would like to share the D’var Torah I gave last year on the Shabbos before the yahrzeit of my late husband, Dr. Harlan Daman, Tsvi Hirsh ben Dovid Aryeh. He died during the week after Simchat Torah so the last Torah portion he heard was the first account of Creation. in honor of his Continue Reading »
Posted on August 16, 2023 by David Gutbezahl
At the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, eager learners of all ages come together to study throughout the year creating a truly multigenerational environment. One family, now spanning three generations of Pardesniks, recently stood out to us as a testament to the power of intergenerational learning. Bobbie and Ed Winter, seasoned Pardesniks, followed their son Continue Reading »
Posted on August 7, 2023 by Darielle Shandler
By Darielle Shandler Pardes Summer Program 2023 Participant “What did the rabbis have to say about this?” “Well, according to the Gemara…” “One could argue that…” “But wait, wait, wait- in the Hebrew it says-” “Okay, so there’s a mahloket- “ All these glorious phrases Scattered, replicated, Crunchy fallen leaves on the Beit Midrash floor Continue Reading »
Posted on May 23, 2023 by David Gutbezahl
Simonne Abadee Featured Pardes Alumna of the The Marilyn and Sigi z”l Ziering Pardes Community Education Omer Program Author Series 2023 In 1975, I was so fortunate to be in exactly the same position as you guys are today. I had the opportunity to come on a program and experience a year here. Like you, Continue Reading »
Posted on April 19, 2023 by Louis Polisson
By Rabbi Louis Polisson – Mahloket Matters Rabbinical Assembly 2022 Fellow Learn more about the Mahloket Matters Fellowship Congregation Or Atid of Wayland, MA Rosh Ha-Shanah Day 2 5783 September 27, 2022 / 2nd of Tishrei, 5783 During my second year of rabbinical school, I spent a year living in Jerusalem. One of my most Continue Reading »
Posted on February 28, 2023 by Carole Zawatsky
– Carole Zawatsky, Pardes Elul 2022 and Winter Learning Seminar 2017 Alumna, CEO of the Tree of Life, Inc. I have learned over time, and with the experiences that life has dealt me, that sometimes hitting the pause button is critical to our spiritual, and emotional growth. After a tough year and a decades long Continue Reading »
Posted on February 13, 2023 by Grace Sudry
Grace Sudry Winter 2023 PLS Participant I recently made Aliyah and wanted to set aside time during my Israel journey for some formal Jewish studies. A close friend from NYC had talked about her experience studying at Pardes years ago while she was on a career break, so when this same friend shared the information Continue Reading »
Posted on February 4, 2023 by Carole Daman
My mother, Rose, was a very warm, vivacious woman who was active in Jewish communal affairs into her 90’s. For many years she co-chaired the UJA-Federation Super Sunday campaign in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. She was also active in her synagogue, B’nai Brith Women (later called “Jewish Women International”) and the Riverdale Jewish Continue Reading »
Posted on January 31, 2023 by Jonathon Adler
Jonathon Adler Winter 2023 PLS Participant On my winter vacation, I took a trip to the Holy Land. I spent an incredibly wonderful week learning at the Pardes Institute, a truly special institute of higher learning, with professors from multiple traditions within Judaism, including Orthodox rabbis who are women, which was a truly pleasant surprise. Continue Reading »
Posted on January 25, 2023 by Matthew Filderman
In reflection to his experiences on the Pardes Jewish Heritage Journey to Poland guided by Pardes Dean Emeritus David Bernstein. My name is Matthew Filderman. I am a proud Reform Jew from Memphis, Tennessee. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2017 and am currently studying in The Year Program at The Pardes Institute of Jewish Continue Reading »
