These and Those

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

Tag Archives: community

Who are We, a mosaic…

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Avigayle Adler

An article about me was recently published in The Jerusalem Post. Please feel free to read my story and post your comments. Check out The Open Studio: Art-ventures for Kids and Grownups to see my schedule of upcoming workshops.  

My ניצבים Shabbaton Dvar Torah

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Abayiss

Shabbat Shalom everyone, I hope you are all enjoying our first Shabbaton, communal weekend, so far, resting from the past week, and gathering energy for the next one. This week’s Torah Portion opens with the words “אתם ניצבים היום כולכם”, “Ye are standing this day, all of you” (דברים כ”ט, ט’, Deut. 29:9). All of Continue Reading »

My Dvar Torah from the Shabbaton

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Shanee Michaelson

“Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulchem.” You stand this day, all of you. All of us are standing together today in Jerusalem. From small towns, larger cities, from North America and from Europe. Having grown up in different Jewish denominations, or unaffiliated, whether Ashkenazic or Sephardic, Reform or Orthodox,We have come here together, to this unique country Continue Reading »

A poem from before

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Annie Matan Gilbert

I am a returning student this year.  I was in the Year Program in 2009-2010.  My goal that year was to attain the skills I needed to be accepted into rabbinical school.  It was an incredible, eye and heart-opening year that changed my life.  When I returned to Toronto, I found my besherte and indeed Continue Reading »

My words at PEP ’12 Graduation

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Jessie Gindea

By Jessie Gindea, PEP ’12 What an evening this is.  As I look around this Beit Midrash, surrounded by my brilliant teachers, my esteemed colleagues, and all of the people who have effected my experience in the last two years, it seems only natural to turn to psalms 133, verse 1: “Hiney mah tov umah Continue Reading »

Shavuot: An Inspiration For Converts

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Ma'ayan Dyer

(x-posted from my blog Lost in Jerusalem: http://lostjlem.blogspot.com/) Now that Shavuot has come to an end (well, for those of us in Israel, anyway), the complete cycle of my first year as a Jew has also drawn to a close. I have been fortunate enough to have my first experiences as a Jew with every one Continue Reading »

Celebrating Robby Grossman’s Newborn Daughter

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Andrea Wiese

Pardes is excited to welcome Bracha Ariel to our community! MAZAL TOV to Robby Grossman and the Grossman family! 😀

Are you a Lonely Man or a Social Man?

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Ma'ayan Dyer

As most of my fellow Pardesnicks have probably gathered at this late date in the semester, I’m what one might call “quiet.” It’s not that I don’t speak up in class or won’t engage in conversation (if you strike one up first, of course). Rather, my quietness is an overall demeanor. I’m not a smiley Continue Reading »

Thoughts & Teachings about Prayer

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Austin C.

The following is from all of the notes I’ve taken this year during my studies at Pardes. The subject of prayer has been of particular interest to me… (first presented at the final Pardes Shabbaton) Liturgy/Prayer – Liturgy/Prayer is a basic way for us to get in touch with God, fellow Jews, Jewish values, and Continue Reading »

Of Religious Atheists

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Barer

“Why do you wear a Kippah?” “What could you possibly get out of davenning [prayer]? “Why grow an itchy beard for a month?” These questions, and others like them, have all been asked of me, specifically in light of the fact that I do not believe in God.  They are all valid questions, and have Continue Reading »