These and Those

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

Tag Archives: excitement

I’ve been saying Watermelon a lot.

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Rachel Dingman

I don’t formally blog, but I did spend some time reflecting on something I shared at our 2014 Pardes Summer Program Tish. Here are my reflections: At a dinner at Yaffa’s house she made the joke “sing along if you know the words, if you don’t just say Watermelon”. Needless to say, I said watermelon Continue Reading »

Anticipation

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Dara Rosenblatt

From my blog: While living in Tel Aviv last month I had the luxury of spending my time at ulpan (intensive Hebrew study), for four days a week, four hours a day. In June, I relaxed, studied my Hebrew, went to the beach, frequented some amazing cafes, and generally just enjoyed my vacation and the Continue Reading »

June 29th – Heat Wave

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Leah Lesch

From my blog: It’s 95 degrees in Jerusalem. And it’s supposed to be hot all week. In Hebrew this is called a Hamsin (heatwave) and you pronounce the H with the Israeli CH in your throat so that it comes our of your mouth sounding all hot and bothered. For those of you who have never been to Jerusalem, this is unusual as well Continue Reading »

Pekudei and Time to Go Forward

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Emet Ozar

I shared these parting words at community lunch on Thursday, and Jess posted them to her blog: In this week’s parsha, Pekudei, Moshe and the Israelites are continuing to work hard to complete the Mishkan according to Gd’s specifications. At the end of the parsha, the very last chapter of the book of Shemot, the Continue Reading »

Play-by-play:

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Sam Stern

From my blog: Tuesday (Jan 28/27 Shevat): It was a normal Tuesday evening. Finish Pardes classes at 5, frantically run to the bus stop, ride around Jerusalem for about an hour, sit through my lady learning class, talk to Rav D, go home angry. But on this particular night, I left thinking “ma nishtana ha’lila Continue Reading »

(Im)perfect Together

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Taylor Winfield

I found this Jerusalem Bible sitting on the hefker table without a cover or binding. It just sat there distressed, pages falling out, looking for a new home. I knew that I could not let this bible be buried. I had to find a way to fix it. I stood for a minute and let Continue Reading »

Teaching in the Ulus Jewish School in Istanbul

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Laura Marder

The greatest gift a teacher can ask for is to be a student and a teacher at the same time. This past week I, along with the fabulous Turkey Team, taught in the Jewish School in Istanbul. I learned so much in the process of creating the program, working with my colleagues, and interacting with Continue Reading »

Walk Torah, Talk Torah with David Levin-Kruss

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Meira Cohen

On November 29, David Levin-Kruss walked up and down the High Line in NYC, teaching Torah and raising money for cancer research. Among those who joined him was an incoming student. by Meira Cohen I’m not due to arrive in Jerusalem for another month, but I have already experienced the legendary warmth of Pardes. As Continue Reading »

A Bris to Remember

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Nataliya Naydorf

It was odd telling family and friends back home that I was excited to go to a Brit Milah. “I just can’t wait to witness a circumcision!” never seems to resonate well with most people for some reason. In truth, while I was excited, I was also apprehensive. Prior to the ceremony, our Chumash Level Continue Reading »

The Day my Little Brother Moved to Israel

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

(From my blog): The Day my Little Brother Moved to Israel …was last Tuesday.  Since then, I have been asked a certain two questions more times than I can count: How do your parents feel about all three of you being in Israel? (it’s true – the Theological Threesome of Eli, Naomi and Uri Bilmes Continue Reading »