These and Those

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

Archive: March 2013

Haggada Tidbits 2013 with Tovah Leah Nachmani and R. Alex Israel

Posted on March 25, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

The Wise Son’s Response

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Derek Kwait

Written during Avigayle Adler’s workshop during Pardes’ Night of Learning for Passover. That’s nice, but–if I can ask this and still keep my teeth intact–what’s it for? The Halakha doesn’t answer my question. By the way, did you know afikomen is a Greek word? What’s up with that? Why do we end our seders with Continue Reading »

Freedom For Girls

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Heather Kantrowitz

From my blog: I would like to take this opportunity to wish girls and women everywhere a happy Passover – a Passover that is filled with freedom. Freedom from “I’m not good enough” and “why doesn’t he* like me.” Freedom from wanting your life to be like a T-Swift love song, freedom from not “going Continue Reading »

Gefilta fish making!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Andrea Wiese

From my blog: I am in the US and today with my mom and my great great aunt Eki, we made (homemade) gefilta fish! I always have a hesitation when coming home because I have become more observant over the past four years in Israel, but today, I felt very Jewish and really proud of Continue Reading »

Thank You from Abayudaya

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Rachel Rosenbluth

Dear Friends, This email is to send a huge huge huge thank you for all of your generous contributions towards the Namutumba Jewish community. In total, we raised 900 dollars (!!!!!), to help support the community! The money is going to contribute to full and complete seders, as well as to the education fund of Continue Reading »

7-Day Silent Meditation Retreat

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Eric Feldman

From my blog: Imagine spending seven days without your phone, television, or computer. Okay, now add on the incentive of no listening to music, reading, or writing. And now try doing that without speaking or communicating at all. Not just verbal communication; you can’t even look at anyone else. Oh, and one final, small thing Continue Reading »

D’var Torah: Parashat Tzav (Rishon)

Posted on March 23, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Alum Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) writes about his official beginning of being drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in the context of Parshat Tzav: With great power comes great responsibility. Now that the Tabernacle has been completed and we have received the instructions on how to make the appropriate offerings, the next piece Continue Reading »

The Man Who Plays the Piano

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: Here is a set of two poems. They are written in different styles, but they are about the same subject. I am still working out exactly how to fit them together and how to make the images convey what I want them to convey. Any feedback would be helpful. Enjoy! (In keeping Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] The REAL Passover Story by Amber Ikeman

Posted on March 22, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Amber Ikeman (Year ’12) reflects upon how we can relate to Passover if we don’t believe in the story of the Haggadah: I often find myself questioning (shocker!) whether the stories in the Torah actually happened. Don’t you? I mean, it’s a really nice idea to think that thousands of years ago, maybe before humankind Continue Reading »

[Unexpected Encounters: The Jewish Holidays and the Other] Pesach

Posted on March 21, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Pardes is pleased to present the first episode of our new podcast series by Rabbi Daniel Landes, Unexpected Encounters: The Jewish Holidays and the Other. This episode is on Pesach. Pardes thanks the Alexander Soros Foundation, the sponsor for the series. UE Pesach Click here for the accompanying handout. Chag kasher v’sameach!