These and Those

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

Archive: June 2014

[Alumni Guest Post] PS: Story Time (1)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Hannah Joy

From my blog: I’ve been back for almost two weeks now, and I already miss everything: the Hebrew, Egged bus drivers, taxi drivers, “shabbat shaloms” from cashiers, always available shwarma, everything about Pardes, and so much more. Though I must say, I have never so appreciated the orderly lines and hassle-free grocery shopping at Shoppers Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Pieces of Home

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Ma'ayan Dyer

From Ma’ayan Dyer’s (Spring ’12, Spring ’13) blog: It has been almost a year to the date since I left Israel. I have neglected this blog almost shamefully in the months since, feeling that I don’t have the head space or energy to push it forward with updated posts and the desperately needed new look Continue Reading »

God Said to the students of Pardes

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Misha Brenner

My words from the final Community Lunch of the 2013-14 Year Program, based off the song “21 Questions” by 50 cent: Mishmei DiRavi Misha Mishum HaRav NateDogg, Zichron LiVracha: Amar Hakadosh Baruch Hu LiTzurba DiPardes… Girl, it’s easy to love me now, but would you love me if I was down, and out, would you Continue Reading »

[PCJE Graduation] Bring Forth the Goodness

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Carolyn Gerecht

My dvar Torah from PCJE graduation: To commemorate the last day of our Gemara class this year with Rahel, we looked together at a special passage from Masechet Avoda Zara, Daf Yud Tet, Amud Alef. In the passage, Levi and Rabbi Shimon are studying together with Rah-bee. When they finish the text, Levi demands that Continue Reading »

[PCJE Graduation] Who is Brave, not Crazy?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Cara Abrams-Simonton

My PCJE graduation speech: Good evening. It is an honor to stand before you today as I graduate from the Pardes Educators Program. Over the past two years I have been privileged to study in this very Beit Midrash and in the classrooms of Pardes. In this room I have fallen in love with text Continue Reading »

[PCJE Graduation] Upon my exit

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Tani Cohen-Fraade

My PCJE graduation speech: I would like to speak for a few minutes about the Bet Midrash here at Pardes, the room in which we are now gathered. Over at least the last two years, we have spent countless hours every week studying texts and discussing them with our hevrutot and teachers. For many of Continue Reading »

[PCJE Graduation] Chazak V’Ematz

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Heather Kantrowitz

My PCJE graduation speech: Chazak V’Ematz – Be strong and resolute. These are the words that Yehoshua spoke to Bnei Yisrael upon entering the land of Israel thousands of years ago. Today, I speak these words to my friends and peers as we prepare to enter new territory – the land of teaching. This fall, Continue Reading »

[PCJE Graduation] Three are the Mamas

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Andrea Wiese

My PCJE graduation speech: My dvar Torah is based on “threes”…for example, As the third speaker, I have 3 minutes to sum up my three years at Pardes.  So let’s not waste any time. Four years ago when I came to Pardes for the first time, I sat in on Tovah Leah’s Personalizing Prayer class. Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Why Were the Jews Given the Torah?

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

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 »

[PCJE Graduation] Learn Torah, Learn Torah, Learn Torah, Learn Torah…

Posted on June 6, 2014 by AdAm Mayer

My PCJE graduation speech: Thank you to all of my most amazing and wonderful peers and colleagues. You all have inspired me and taught me so much! Thank you to Judy, Gail, and all the incredible and supportive faculty, mentors and teachers at Pardes! You are true enablers! And Thank you to my wife Chana Continue Reading »