Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on January 5, 2011 by Shibley
Last week I had the opportunity to visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum with fellow Pardes students. I had never been to Yad Vashem at night before, but I was surprised to find that the lack of natural light emphasized the murder of the Shoah. As I worked my way through the permanent exhibit, I Continue Reading »
Posted on December 29, 2010 by Shibley
The weather in Israel is very frustrating. I have made much about the ongoing lack of rain, and the implications the drought has on daily water usage. However, in a more light hearted assessment, I want to point out how selecting an outfit is incredibly difficult. What do I mean? When I leave the apartment Continue Reading »
Posted on December 29, 2010 by Shibley
When living in Israel, one is afforded the opportunity to attend many different places for t’fillot. On every corner there is a beit k’neset (synagogue) which is ready to welcome any passerby. Each one is a little different in terms of spacial arrangement, attendance, and general atmosphere. I’ve referenced on a few occasions the importance Continue Reading »
Posted on December 27, 2010 by Shibley
I along with what I imagine must be many Americans, Jewish and non, have at some point contemplated what Christmas in Israel looks like. Having just experienced it, I can tell you that for the most part it looks like any other day. Since Shabbat and Christmas coincided this year, I can really only say Continue Reading »
Posted on December 14, 2010 by Shibley
I am devout sports fan, it’s probably fair to say that there is some sort of addiction. I knew it would be more difficult to follow my local teams, as well as the leagues at large whilst in Israel. This evening as I was walking on Emek Refaim, the main street in the section of Continue Reading »
Posted on December 13, 2010 by Shibley
Last Thursday evening, we returned to the normal weekday arrangement of t’fillot. Friday we resumed saying tahanun (putting down of the head). Remember, since the beginning of Hannukah, we did not say tahanun, and we inserted into the amidah a passage about the holidy of which we were in the midst. Additionally, we encountered rosh Continue Reading »
Posted on December 8, 2010 by Shibley
from my blog: Throughout the ongoing week of Hannukah, we insert into each recitation of the Amidah a special passage that references and recalls the festival which we are currently celebrating. We commonly think of Hannukah as a holiday about a simple jug of oil that miraculously lasted for eight times longer than expected. We Continue Reading »
Posted on December 8, 2010 by Shibley
From my blog: Dec. 6 was the first measurable rain of the season in Jerusalem. A damp cloudy chilly day has never looked so beautiful. It represents only a tiny amount of what would be necessary to alleviate the drought, but it’s a wonderful start. I’m going to splash in puddles. Also, the fires in the Continue Reading »
Posted on December 5, 2010 by Shibley
Cross-posted from my blog: On Friday afternoon, as I was preparing for Shabbat, I found myself in front of a pan of hot oil. No, I was not making latkes or sufganiyot. I was instead whipping up a batch of shnitzel for Shabbat lunch. With the cooking completed, and grease splatters on my shirt ( Continue Reading »
Posted on November 28, 2010 by Shibley
From Shibbles’ Eyes: At this juncture I do not want to address the politics that surround the reality that is the security issue. There is enough to be said and written about the politics to fill several blogs for several decades. As has become my approach, I want to relay three stories/thoughts in which I Continue Reading »
