These and Those

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

Archive: January 2014

My ‘Third Story’ Midrash Poem

Posted on January 1, 2014 by AdAm Mayer

Daniel Roth presented our ‘Judaism and Conflict Resolution’ class for Jewish Educators with this assignment, and below is the ‘Third Story’ poem that I wrote about Jacob and Esav: Esav We’re not exactly bad guys, but ever since dad died I’ve meant to get back at him, that trickster, that thief, who stole my place Continue Reading »

Snippet of my Prayer Journey

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David Bogomolny

I count myself among those who wouldn’t quite know how to begin a conversation with G!d without a great deal of practice and forethought. What would be worth saying? What would bring G!d to listen? Traditional Jewish prayer works for me – it’s expected of me, ostensibly by G!d, regardless of my awkward reluctance, and Continue Reading »

Day 4: Envelope Structure

Posted on December 29, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

From my blog: Day 4:  We awoke pretty early to hit the trail and get to the finish line with enough time to make some decisions about what we wanted to do for Shabbat. At this point, the hike continues in Nahal Amud until it flattens out at the start of the valley to the Kinneret. Continue Reading »

More Than Four Faces of Israel | Part 2

Posted on December 28, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

From my blog: A few weeks ago, an actress came to Pardes to do a kind of skit, stereotyping Four Faces of Israel, or four different people that one will inevitably encounter in Israel. She portrayed the narratives of a Haredi woman, a settler, a kibbutznik and an Arab woman. Somehow, every experience that I have, Continue Reading »

Institute

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Andrea Wiese

From my blog: This isn’t the first time I have written about The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and honestly, it probably won’t be the last. Today, Shabbat, Parsha Va’Eira, was very special. There was a Bar Mitzvah of Avi, a son of one my teachers at Pardes, Meesh Hammer Kossoy. I have no idea Continue Reading »

More Than Four Faces of Israel | Part 1

Posted on December 28, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

From my blog: A few weeks ago, an actress came to Pardes to do a kind of skit, stereotyping Four Faces of Israel, or four different people that one will inevitably encounter in Israel. She portrayed the narratives of a Haredi woman, a settler, a kibbutznik and an Arab woman. Somehow, every experience that I have, Continue Reading »

The Country where Christmas Wasn’t

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: On Tuesday night, I went to Bethlehem. Growing up in America, all I saw of Christmas were signs reading “Buy One get One FREE” and “Sale: 70% mark down! 5-7am only!!” All I saw was consumerism and a huge traffic jam outside of the church. But this year I’m in the Middle Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Where in our lives do we look for “magic”?

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Carolyn Gerecht

As Parshat Shemot closes, it’s not looking good for the Israelites. Petitioned by Aharon and Moshe, Pharaoh not only refuses their (botched) request to free the Israelites from slavery – he also adds to their misery by demanding that they now gather the straw that they need themselves while still maintaining the same pace (Shemot Continue Reading »

My ‘Third Story Midrash’

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Dita Ribner Cooper

Daniel Roth presented our ‘Judaism and Conflict Resolution’ class for Jewish Educators with this assignment, and below is the ‘Third Story’ that I wrote about Jacob and Esav: Jacob As I sit here and write this journal entry, I cannot believe that I have acquired the birthright of my family. It started today when, like Continue Reading »

SermonSlam Jerusalem – Dorielle Parker

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Dorielle Parker