These and Those

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

Tag Archives: conversion

What’s in a (Jewish) name?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Ma'ayan Dyer

From my blog: With the tenth of February just around the corner, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been in Israel for a month already. I have big plans for my time abroad, and while I’ve mostly been happily consumed with Jewish studies at Pardes, I feel like there’s still just so much for me Continue Reading »

What is a prayer? [pt. 3 in a series]

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Avi Benson-Goldberg

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) It’s been quite a long time since we last checked in. As you might recall, in parts one and two, we looked at what Meir and Rahel had to say about praying. The arrangement of the shiur was fascinating, because we heard first from a very capable prayer, and Continue Reading »

Not a Hypothetical Situation

Posted on December 14, 2012 by David Bogomolny

We spent last Shabbat with a friend and his partner. He is a Jewish convert who is currently not halakhically observant, but his Jewish identity is very important to him, and his attitude towards Jewish tradition and halakha is very respectful. His partner is a woman whose father is halakhically Jewish, but she is not halakhically Jewish herself. Therefore, she must go through 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 »

[Alumni Guest Post] Celebrating 10,000

Posted on May 9, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Carrie Bornstein (Year Program ’05-’06) serves as the Acting Executive Director of Mayyim Hayyim, and she recently blogged about celebrating the Mikveh’s 10,000th immersion! Mazal Tov to Mayyim Hayyim! Keep up the great work! You can read Carrie’s blog post below, or at the Mayyim Hayyim blog!

[Student Profile] Sean Leber

Posted on November 14, 2011 by David Bogomolny

Having grown up in Newton, Massachusetts, Sean had a lot of exposure to Judaism. His family’s liberal church would often invite Jewish members of their extended community to speak from the pulpit, and Sean attended many Passover seders at a family friend’s house as a boy. And of course, he only dated Jewish women 🙂 Sean began dating Kelilah Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] Dreams and Designation

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, I hope you are all doing well. Hard to believe that I’ve recently celebrated my second Thanksgiving (both in Israel!) and that Channukah is around the corner. Time is really flying by – but I guess that’s a good sign! This week, I’d like to dedicate these words of Torah to my Zaidy, Continue Reading »

True Righteousness

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Spirit Wolf

When once asked by a potential convert to explain the essence of Torah in a mere heartbeat, Hillel recited these famous words: “What is hateful to you do not do unto others. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary. Now go and study.” We would do well to remember this today: “True Righteousness” Continue Reading »

What a Lovely Booth You Have!

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Bookie

Sukkot is just moments away here in Jerusalem, and I can’t help but contemplate on a sight foreign to my Los Angeles eyes. In front of every apartment, in alleys, on balconies, and on rooftops sukkot dot the landscape. It really gives you a sense of one of the many meanings of the holiday: the Continue Reading »