Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on January 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
By Mira B. Shore (Summer ’09, ’10; Year ’12) As a self-identified progressive, liberal, secular Jew growing up at Jewish Day School, I spent a lot of my time and energy speaking about why prayer and G-d were NOT a part of my life. I actively ran from prayer. Once I had my bat-mitzvah, there Continue Reading »
Posted on January 7, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Ben Barer (Fellows ’11-’12) tackles the issue of Jewish prayer as an Atheist in this blog post: One of the toughest questions for me, as a religious atheist, is what do I gain bydavenning (praying). Alain de Botton, in his fabulous book Religion for Atheists; a Non-believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion, offers a number of answers Continue Reading »
Posted on November 26, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
This dvar Torah was written by James Jacobson-Maisels (Pardes Kollel ’01-’03). Today, we know and love James as one of our amazing Pardes faculty, teaching classes such as ‘Self, Soul & Text’, and running our Pardes Spirituality Retreats! One of the great mitzvot, modeled in our recent parshiot by Avraham Avinu, is hakhnasat orchim, the Continue Reading »
Posted on November 9, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Originally posted by Aryeh Ben David (Year Program ’79-’80) on the Ayeka Blog: CONTROLLING THE URGE THAT TELLS US ‘MORE IS BETTER’. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KNOW SOMETHING? Does it mean to understand it? Does it mean to know something well enough to pass a test? Does it mean to be able to recite Continue Reading »
Posted on October 16, 2012 by Ari Abelman
From my blog: Election day in America is coming up soon. I just recently sent in my absentee ballot. And Israel has just called early elections (a phenomenon the does not exist in the American system) for January 22nd, 2013. I’ve always found voting exciting, and I enjoy watching election returns come in in the Continue Reading »
Posted on October 1, 2012 by David Bogomolny
I credit this quote to Dr. Viktor Frankl, having read his book (a must read), but first heard this idea from my mentor Aryeh Ben David: Source: google.com via Rocio on Pinterest To paraphrase: The only thing you can control is your attitude. Some years ago I was sitting with a teacher, learning about the fast of Continue Reading »
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 »
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 »
Posted on March 19, 2012 by Derek Kwait
I have been slowly making my way through Heschel’s God in Search of Man since I boarded the bus from Pittsburgh to New York en route to Pardes and Jerusalem last August. It’s going so slowly because, as usually happens when I read Heschel’s writing, it’s hard to read quickly when every sentence blows your Continue Reading »
Posted on January 11, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted here. Teach me and instruct me how to behave with all people in the world so that I may merit being in peace with all, even with those who disagree with me, And so that I should merit to always be a lover of peace,and a pursuer of peace As it is Continue Reading »
