These and Those

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

Tag Archives: alumni

A Reflection Of Time At Pardes

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Joanne Pollack-Reed

It was a gigantic leap of faith to apply and attend Pardes this summer. Forefront in my mind was if I, a 51 yr old – out of school forever- mom would be able to keep up. Would I be that student that clearly did not belong? My fears were put firmly to rest at Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] PS: Story Time (2)

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Hannah Joy

From my blog: Unsolicited life advice from fellow bus passengers Some of the most interesting stories from this year have happened on buses. (Maybe it’s because Israelis will talk to anyone like they’re family, whether you’re interested in talking or not. Maybe it’s just because I spent a lot of time taking buses.) Here are Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Life as a Jewish Mama

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Farrah Udell

Farrah Udell (Year ’11) blogs about life as a new mom on Reflective Mama. She lives with her husband Jeff and son Isaac in Kansas City; and loves baby giggles, social entrepreneurship, coffee dates, and great chevrutas. Find her on Twitter @farrahudell. I used to daydream about building our Jewish family. I would bake challah Continue Reading »

[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 »

[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 »

[Alumni Guest Post] The Love I Gained

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Aliza Riemenschneider

Aliza Riemenschneider (Mechina ’08, PEP ’10) writes regularlyon her own blog, Each & Every bs”d At the closing community lunch, David Bernstein will stand up and make a speech, telling you that you are all b’nei/b’not bayit.  Meaning, once you come to Pardes to learn, you are always welcomed back with warm, open arms anytime you Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Back to the Temple

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Gabby Goodman

Written by Gabby Goodman (Year ’13) As I got ready to lead the Seder for the first time for my family in New York City this year, I remembered last year when I was at Pardes, when I wondered at the fact that I would be sitting at a Seder table in Jerusalem and saying Continue Reading »

Intentional Community: Creative Thinking

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Carolyn Gerecht

A few weeks ago, an email came across my inbox (and probably yours, too) from David Levin-Kruss. “Ask me about this great opportunity to do Shabbat in Beer Sheva,” read the subject line. “City of Abraham, City of Opportunity.” I read it and figured, “Yeah, why not?” I had never been to Beer Sheva before, Continue Reading »

One month was not long enough

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Ilana Arje-Goldenthal

When I received my acceptance letter from Tel Aviv University (TAU) Law School to do a semester of exchange, I was surprised that the semester only began on February 16th. I calculated the time between completing the fall semester in Toronto and beginning the winter semester at TAU, and realized that I would have over Continue Reading »