Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on September 23, 2013 by Jeff Amshalem
This Shabbat we were at lunch in the sukkah of a friend, Shmulik, whose life story reads like Israel’s. Both his parents were survivors of Auschwitz. After two years in a DP camp they tried to come to Eretz Israel on the famous SS Exodus 1947. They were stopped by the British and sent back Continue Reading »
Posted on September 22, 2013 by Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez
This is what happens when you have a married couple who are both fellows…. From our blog The end of 5773 did not fill our lives with happiness, nor health, so it is our great wish that these be abundant for us and all of our friends and family in the coming year. Luckily, there is Continue Reading »
Posted on September 22, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes
From my blog: The Copyist People tell me that I am brave. People tell me that what I do is scarier than a job interview or public speaking. It’s more frightening than singing karaoke in front of 15 Julliard students. It’s more terror-inducing than a claustrophobic getting into an elevator with a 360-pound football player Continue Reading »
Posted on September 20, 2013 by David Bogomolny
When Jessica Baverman recently wrote about her developing relationship to the Kotel, I was reminded of some of my thoughts about and feelings towards it. I remember reading Avi Spodek’s post last spring, appreciating his struggle, and agreeing with him that “the incidents at the Kotel these past few months have dominated the atmosphere” at Continue Reading »
Posted on September 19, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes
From my blog: Sometimes, hanging out with people my own age is just too hard. And I think I’ve figured out why: The stakes are just too high. With people my own age, there is potential for deep friendship, romance, and a whole lot of fun; there is also potential for a whole lot of Continue Reading »
Posted on September 19, 2013 by Ben Schneider
From: my blog The strangest prayer in the siddur is printed with Birkat Kohanim, the section of the repetition of the amidah in which the descendants of the priestly class bless the congregation. As they say their blessing, the siddur instructs one to speedily say this prayer (Koren translation): Master of the Universe, I am Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2013 by Deborah Renert
During the formative period of Rabbinic Judaism during the 2nd Temple period, Judaism was anything but homogeneous. The reality was that here were various groups of minim or sects–including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes, etc. Their beliefs and religious behavior was often radically different from each one’s fellow sects. Classically, they differed with respect to Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2013 by Andrea Wiese
From my blog: Sukkot is a holiday that is really about joy. We are commanded to be happy. We build a booth outside in the elements of the weather to show God that we trust and depend on him. We are told to dwell in the booth/sukkah that we made. The rabbis interpreted this to Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2013 by Laura Marder
What if you always knew exactly how long you have something or someone to enjoy? You knew that these were the precious few days or years and then they/ it would be gone. Would that change your relationship or feelings towards them/it? Would you follow the wise words of Rav Tim McGraw and “live like Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2013 by Hannah Joy
From my blog: In the days leading up to Yom Kippur, we spent a lot of time at Pardes learning about the book of Jonah. The concept that has stuck most in my mind is something we discussed in a lecture given by Judy Klitsner: that of human’s desire and ability (or lack of ability) to change. Continue Reading »
