These and Those

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

Tag Archives: alumni

Tu BiShvat: Seven Species of Israel – glass bottle

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Avigayle Adler

Grapes, Pomegranates, Olives, Dates, Figs, Wheat and Barley have a special significance to the Land of Israel and are given special mention and priority on Tubishevat, the Jewish New Year for trees. Indeed they have priority when blessing food as well. I have always been enchanted with

[Alumni Guest Post] A Holy Stranger with Open Arms

Posted on May 1, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Alissa Thomas (Spring ’11) blogs about relating to Jewish Converts, inspired by her own father: There is nothing like seeing my father dressed head to toe in all white. His soul hearkens to the time of the Kabbalistic rabbis who, draped in white clothing, would sing Kabbalat Shabbat in the fields. I imagine my father in his Shabbat white Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Living In and Through Tragedy

Posted on April 24, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

From Ben Barer’s (Fellows 2011-12) blog: This post also appeared on State of Formation. It has been a tough week to be in Boston.  It is almost as hard to add anything to all that has been written about the tragedy, confusion, and sadness that the week brought, to Boston and to the world as it Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] How is Kaddish related to mourning?

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

Chanan Kessler (Year 1985-86) shares the following reflection with us in his mother’s memory. Chanan is a NYC school teacher, and lives in The Bronx. During the year that I recited the Kaddish after the death of my beloved mother, Hinda Yael bat Yosef v’Chaya, may her memory always be with us, I asked myself Continue Reading »

‘These Are Moments’ Poem

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

These Are Moments Written by Andrew Lustig (Year ’11-’12) these are moments. of clarity and insight. of sitting and talking and laughing and learning. dancing in circles. not afraid. moments that are made by songs and psalms and stories of what we are and deciding what we can be. these are moments. rarely where you Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Fine Dining in the Shuk: Jacko’s Street

Posted on April 19, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

X-posted from Foodist Jerusalem, Written by Anna Melman (Year ’05, Fellows ’06) This is a great blog to follow if you’re looking for good food in Jerusalem! When I first moved to Jerusalem, the shuk was dead at night. This made sense, since it was mostly a fruit and vegetable and meat and fish market. Continue Reading »

[Video] These Are Moments

Posted on April 18, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Andrew Lustig (Year ’11-’12) wrote this poem about Pardes, and a bunch of us have cameos in this video! Please share this widely! 🙂

[Alumni Guest Post] A Love Grounded in Relationships

Posted on April 17, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Lisa Narodick Colton (Year ’99-’00) reflects upon theimpact of a recent trip to Israel with her son. I was 21 years old when I first came to Israel. A summer in Tzvat begged more questions than it answered, and I returned for 15 months in Jerusalem (including Pardes) to fill in the openings. This Pesach Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Yom Ha… Season as Israelis

Posted on April 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

New Alumni Blog Post! Stef Jadd Susnow (Year Program ’06-’07, PEP ’07-’09) and Matt Susnow (Year Program ’06-’07) Write about the “Yom Ha…” Season in Israel… it’s a truly special experience being in Israel for these national holidays. This week marked the beginning of one of the most poignant times on the Israeli national calender, Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Three Stories

Posted on April 10, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) shares some anecdotes: Occasionally, I witness events that I think are funny, but I am unsure if others will find them humorous, this week witnesses three small incidents that I think most will find humorous. Enjoy: Early Sunday morning I was standing at the bus stop in Jerusalem, awaiting Continue Reading »