These and Those

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

Tag Archives: creative writing

WxW 30/30 #1: From Start to Finish

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Annie Matan Gilbert

From my blog: Thanks to The Velveteen Rabbi for alerting me that http://wordxwordfestival.com/ is having a 30 poems in 30 days contest.  (I don’t think there are prizes but they do publish poems on their website, if you submit them.)  I have subscribed to http://3030poetry.com/ for the daily prompts and have begun!  I can’t guarantee I will write a poem a Continue Reading »

Lovely Women, or In Defense of Sniyut and Halter Tops

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Tadea Klein

The difference between a lovely woman and a plain one Is the way that, When dressed in her right clothes Or doing her best loved tasks, She unfurls like a rare flower Her back straight and her eyes shining And she unleashes that 100 Kilowatt smile That all women keep tucked up in the corners Continue Reading »

The Wise Son’s Response

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Derek Kwait

Written during Avigayle Adler’s workshop during Pardes’ Night of Learning for Passover. That’s nice, but–if I can ask this and still keep my teeth intact–what’s it for? The Halakha doesn’t answer my question. By the way, did you know afikomen is a Greek word? What’s up with that? Why do we end our seders with Continue Reading »

The Man Who Plays the Piano

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: Here is a set of two poems. They are written in different styles, but they are about the same subject. I am still working out exactly how to fit them together and how to make the images convey what I want them to convey. Any feedback would be helpful. Enjoy! (In keeping Continue Reading »

What is Torah to Me?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Annie Matan Gilbert

From my blog: This piece is a response to a prompt by Melila Helner Eshed in a class at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Stories within stories Clamping shut and Breaking open With sharp, jagged edges That draw blood And push me back So I stay at arm’s length But inside, if I stretch the skin Continue Reading »

Shabbat Goes Out, or Weary Bride

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Tadea Klein

On a quiet soundless night a little girl with ancient eyes comes creeping into Jerusalem Shabbat is tired She drags her feet, weary of simcha and cheer Ears ringing from songs, head aching from wine, she wants only to go home, flick on the TV and zone out Not smile, nor laugh Nor sing or Continue Reading »

Gemara and roses

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Laurie Franklin

This wound This wound. Hurts. I look but can’t find it Hiding under layers of scar. Will it hurt more to hold it open to light? I blow on it. Blow away dust. Reveal the bones. Step through the field; take the unclean road. For the sake of dignity, I sing in the dark and Continue Reading »

You’re at Pardes, Charlie Brown

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Derek Kwait

My skit from the Purim Shpiel. Script is included below the video.

Script for “Who is a True Canadian?”

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello everybody! Here is the script for the great Canadian Purim shpiel that I put on, along with all of my other fellow Canucks, this year! Enjoy 🙂 Stuart Who is a true Canadian? Cast Members: Stuart Matan Lithwick, Annie Matan Gilbert, Daniella Adler, Rachel Rosenbluth, Cait Power, Ruth Wicks, Avi Spodek, Derek Kwait, and Continue Reading »

“True Love – or – Shir HaShirim, pt. II”

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Abayiss

When I think of my life, look back and reflect, I know she’s always been there. It was ALWAYS her, no matter what, through all the trials and despite our occasional differences, she will always be by my side, and I love her for it. She will never diminish, she is as much a part of me Continue Reading »