These and Those

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

Tag Archives: friends

Brainwashing

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Nikki Fig

As many in the Pardes community know, my year at Pardes has been decidedly unique. I originally only intended to stay through Elul, but every month I decided I would stay “for one more month.” My unwillingness to leave led my family and friends in America to conclude that I must be being “brainwashed”. This Continue Reading »

Never Forget

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

From my blog: Last week was Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day had special significance this year because of my recent trip to Poland. I had the honor and privilege of speaking at Pardes on behalf of the group of students who went on the trip. I shared an excerpt from this blog, Continue Reading »

Week 33: Family

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Derek Kwait

This is the time of year for family. Last week, when Shabbat directly followed the last day of Pesach, creating a rare 8-day Passover in Israel, Friday afternoon, I was kindly invited over the home of a local family. The Mr. and the Mrs. were born in America, but each have been here for well Continue Reading »

The World is Mud-Luscious and Puddle-Wonderful (!)

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

This was originally posted on my blog: “Go out, go out I beg of you / And taste the beauty of the wild.  Behold the miracle of the earth / With all the wonder of a child.” My school took a trip to the Golan Heights towards the end of March. I’ll let the pictures Continue Reading »

Pardes in Poland-Auschwitz-Birkenau

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Leah Stern

This was it. This was the part of the trip that I had most been afraid of. I had always been afraid of visiting this place, it was part of the reason I had delayed going to Poland until now. The name that is engraved on the heart of every Jew: Auschwitz. I have always Continue Reading »

Rest in Peace, Alexander Zaitzev. Rest in peace Judaism?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Anton L. Gershteyn

  2 minutes ago one of my most beloved friends, Alexander Zaitzev died. 23 years old. Sasha was one of the most reasonable, kind and open-hearted human beings I met in my life. Sasha was humble, but eager to fight for justice, loving and caring. He did not need any religion or any God to Continue Reading »

The Pardes Sunset Project – That’s the Rest of Em…

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Heligman

Too often the shades of our life are drawn and God’s magnificent colors are missed.  I am taking on this project as a means to stop and enjoy God’s brilliance.  For the month of November, each day I will document the evening sunset from the Pardes Beit Midrash. I hope you will stop and notice Continue Reading »

The Pardes Sunset Project – Evening of 11/13/2011

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Heligman

Too often the shades of our life are drawn and God’s magnificent colors are missed.  I am taking on this project as a means to stop and enjoy God’s brilliance.  For the month of November, each day I will document the evening sunset from the Pardes Beit Midrash. I hope you will stop and notice Continue Reading »

The Adventures of Na’omi9: Kashering our Kitchen

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart

This was originally posted on ‘Life According to Lauren’ My roommates and I decided a few weeks ago that we wanted to make our kitchen kosher. The word kosher literally means “fit,” and it refers to the Jewish dietary laws.  There are different reasons why one might choose to “keep kosher.” Here are a few Continue Reading »

It’s Not You, It’s Me

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Lauren Schuchart

Now that the biggest chunk of Jewish holidays is over, we are finally settling into a rhythm at school. Personally, I feel like I’m getting into the swing of things, and starting to really understand the many benefits of studying Jewish texts. One of the most unique components of Jewish learning that I’ve come to love Continue Reading »