Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on April 4, 2012 by J. Belasco
About a month and a half ago, I went to Hevron for Shabbat with a few Pardesniks to visit a fellow student’s wife’s family. His wife actually grew up in Hevron; and her parents still live there today. I was very grateful for the family’s generosity and hospitality, and for the chance they gave me to experience Continue Reading »
Posted on April 3, 2012 by J. Belasco
Most people who know me know that I am active in the field of disability rights. While it has taken me a while to connect to a disability community here in Jerusalem, I have recently begun to do so through the Jerusalem Center for Independent Living (מרכז לחיים עצמאיים), which is located in a decently-sized, Continue Reading »
Posted on February 6, 2012 by J. Belasco
I find that I would like to explore more intensively the question of where flexibility exists within halacha and what to do with conflict between the halachic system and my other values. This is particularly important for me right now, since I am on the brink of moving out of the bubble of Pardes and Continue Reading »
Posted on November 17, 2011 by J. Belasco
Hey Pardes!! I’m writing to introduce the Shabbat Board, which Ben announced at Community Lunch. The idea is simple: if you are looking for a place for a Shabbat meal, or if you are hosting and are looking for more guests, just send us an email letting us know which meal you want and how Continue Reading »
Posted on March 19, 2011 by J. Belasco
Below is the text of my Take 5, which will hopefully get posted soon in VIDEO format. I’m happy to continue this conversation with anyone who would like to. I want to talk about my own experience of disability and, in a broader sense, about the disability rights movement (which I think is a really Continue Reading »
Posted on March 18, 2011 by J. Belasco
Here are a few links to some writing by some of my favorite disability activists: This is a piece by Harriet McBryde Johnson, about her debate with Princeton philosopher Peter Singer (who believes that parents should be allowed to kill their disabled babies). This is the website of Laura Hershey, another activist who passed away Continue Reading »
