Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on December 25, 2014 by Suzanne Hutt
“5…4…3…2…1…Do you believe in miracles??!” That’s one of the most blood-pumping, invigorating moments in one of my very favorite movies, Miracle, about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. The miracle in the movie is that the inexperienced, comparatively young U.S. team could beat the seemingly invincible Soviet team. When we talk about miracles, we often Continue Reading »
Posted on December 23, 2014 by Bracha Berkson
I remember the first Chanukah I ever celebrated. It was 2003 and I had been thinking about converting for a little over a year. I was already in the process of meeting with a Rabbi and was beginning to participate in Jewish holidays. I was also living at the time with my non-Jewish boyfriend. November Continue Reading »
Posted on December 4, 2014 by Suzanne Hutt
During my second Shabbat in Israel, some friends and I bumped into a couple that one of my friends knew from back home. It was near midnight on Friday night and the couple had just been accidentally locked out of their apartment. As it turned out, my friend’s roommate was out of town, so he Continue Reading »
Posted on December 25, 2013 by Alana Bandos
Together in Paris. That’s what Anastasia’s grandmother says to her before their family is torn apart in the hit animated feature film Anastasia (which is not actually a Disney movie). It’s on the necklace the young girl wears through to adulthood and it helps her reclaim her true identity as heir to the Russian throne. Continue Reading »
Posted on December 9, 2013 by Debra Weiner-Solomont
by Debra Weiner, staff member since 1998 Pardes is more than a place to work, Pardes is family. Staff and faculty are connected outside of the office and Beit Midrash. This year I had the special zechut (privilege) to spend the last night of Chanukah with Arlene Harel. Arlene lives in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem, Continue Reading »
Posted on December 5, 2013 by Ariel Eliach Forman
This weeks Parsha marks the beginning of the Israelites impending enslavement in Egypt. It also happens to be a portion of the Tanach that I have long struggled with. After Yoseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, he reassures them that God in fact sent him to Egypt initially, to be in a position to Continue Reading »
Posted on November 28, 2013 by Sara Spanjer
Mikeitz, is the parsha of this week, Pharaoh had two dreams which would led to Egypt’s peak. Joseph was at his lowest, in captive for things he did not do, Forgotten by the chief cupbearer and feeling pretty blue. Until he was remembered, it had been some time, Pharaoh needed help, interpreting the corn and Continue Reading »
Posted on January 14, 2013 by Derek Kwait
On the Sunday of Chanukah, I went with the Social Justice class to Sderot. You really can’t appreciate what it’s like there until you experience it for yourself. For those who have only heard of Gaza, Sderot is a small working-class city in southern Israel in view of Gaza made up of mostly immigrants. For Continue Reading »
Posted on December 12, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Baruch HaLevi (Year ’96) shares some Chanukah inspiration with us: Chanukah might be one of the lesser important Jewish holy days from a halachic (Jewish legal) perspective. However, it is perhaps the most important holiday when it comes to Jewish identity and purpose. It is a timeless and timely message and it comes down to Continue Reading »
Posted on December 12, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
This Chanukah overview brought to you by Alum Ben Barer (Fellows ’12) Hanukah stands alone in the Jewish calendar in many ways. It is the holiday with the least ritual elements to it, and it has never gotten the same treatment that other holidays (including, especially, Shabbat) have. This probably has a lot to do with Continue Reading »
