Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on June 4, 2012 by Adrienne Silver
My experience with Ayeka has been a transformative one. Ayeka’s safe, open environment allowed me to explore areas of my religious life that I would not have otherwise explored. It forced me to grapple with issues that I have decidedly ignored in the past. For the first time, I felt encouraged to read texts subjectively in relation to my own ideology. I appreciated that the sessions were not just text-based or discussion-based, they seamlessly integrated Jewish texts with an open discussion of our own practices and beliefs. Through Ayeka I came to realize how integral these conversations are to live a healthy religious life. Ayeka has encouraged me to continue grappling with these issues and finding a deeper spiritual connection with our tradition.
David, thank you for providing us with such an incredible program. You really went above and beyond in your dedication to the Ayeka program and I can’t express just how thankful I am for that. You really exemplified a leader that is able to command attention and capture interest while allowing us to see you as an equal, whose perspectives and experiences are just as valuable as a fellow participant. I hope you continue to spread your gift to others.
