These and Those

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

Archive: April 2013

[Alumni Guest Post] Yom Ha… Season as Israelis

Posted on April 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

New Alumni Blog Post! Stef Jadd Susnow (Year Program ’06-’07, PEP ’07-’09) and Matt Susnow (Year Program ’06-’07) Write about the “Yom Ha…” Season in Israel… it’s a truly special experience being in Israel for these national holidays. This week marked the beginning of one of the most poignant times on the Israeli national calender, Continue Reading »

[Pardes from Jerusalem Podcast] Tazria-Metzora 5773: The Woman who has Given Birth

Posted on April 11, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

This week, Neima Novetsky discusses Parashat Tazria-Metzora in “The Woman who has Given Birth.” T-M ’73 Shabbat shalom!

[Alumni Guest Post] Three Stories

Posted on April 10, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) shares some anecdotes: Occasionally, I witness events that I think are funny, but I am unsure if others will find them humorous, this week witnesses three small incidents that I think most will find humorous. Enjoy: Early Sunday morning I was standing at the bus stop in Jerusalem, awaiting Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Reflection on Yom Hashoah

Posted on April 8, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) shared the following: As the clock turned from 9:59 to 10:00, it began. Quietly at first, and then reaching a volume that brings all of Israel to a halt. The siren of Yom Hashoah silenced all other man-made noises, leaving every body to their own thoughts and memories of Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Reflections on Psalm 16 – Psalm One of the Tikkun HaClali

Posted on April 8, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Rabbi Brent Spodek (Year ’01) reflects upon the Role of Pain: We fear pain. We fear events that twist our hopes, catastrophes that strain our bodies, indignities that weary our spirit. When we suffer, our pain becomes all we can see, so that the best we can do is grind on, endure, make it from Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Connection by Distinction – by Eryn London

Posted on April 8, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

X-posted from Eryn’s blog post: Eryn London (Summer ’06 & ’07, Community Education ’10, Year ’10-’11, Hourly ’11-’12) made Aliya from New Jersey three years ago. She is currently studying in the Manhiga Hilchatit Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum, which is a 5 year advanced Halacha learning program. Beyond learning she also runs activities at a 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 »

[Alumni Guest Post] Educating my Jewish Daughter by Whitney Fisch

Posted on April 5, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Whitney Fisch (Year 2008-09) shares a personal challenge of hers, regarding the role of women in Judaism: Whitney Fisch grew up within the Reform movement in Marietta, GA. She started her career in Jewish communal work at the University of Georgia Hillel as the Jewish Student Life Coordinator, which led her to other positions in Continue Reading »

[Pardes from Jerusalem Podcast] Shmini 5773

Posted on April 4, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

This week, Rav Daniel Landes discusses Parashat Shmini. Shmini ’73 Shabbat shalom!

[PCJE Dvar Torah] God Cries Along – by Aviva Golbert

Posted on April 4, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

It is usually considered good practice to connect one’s Dvar Torah about the Parshah to some current event or to an upcoming holiday. As such, I want to find some segue between this week’s Torah portion – Parshat Shemini – and Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, which will be commemorated in Israel next Monday. Continue Reading »