These and Those

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

Tag Archives: happiness

Hebron 2012 Music Video

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Ben Macdonald

Published on Dec 16, 2012 Machon Pardes’ 2012 trip to Hebron Song: Diplo – Good Time Editing: Benjamin Macdonald While on the trip I really wanted to show a happy Hevron. Every video I see and experience I hear about is the intensity of the Hevron experience. A soldier stationed in Hevron spoke of a Continue Reading »

Women of the Wall Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Andrea Wiese

Originally posted on my blog: I recently learned about Women of the Wall and their struggle for equality at the Kotel, the Western Wall, the most significant religious site for Jews. Every Rosh Chodesh they go to the Kotel to pray together in a minyan (technically, a group of 10 Jewish men, but for them, Continue Reading »

The trees are alive with the sound of silence

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Shoshana Rosen

By Shoshana Rosen How do I even begin to put into words, an experience that in its essence has no words? Just recently coming back from a silent meditation shabbaton, up north at Kibbutz Hannaton I realize only how much it impacted me by the stark reality of coming back home. Like many have said Continue Reading »

O-bla-di, O-bla-da

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

Originally posted on my blog: (from yesterday) Today is Thanksgiving! After the last few days, I am even more grateful for all of the blessings that I have in my life. With thanks to God for FAMILY (and Skype technology), amazing FRIENDS near and far, a wonderful and supportive community here in Israel, a hope Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Does God Direct Our Lives?

Posted on November 13, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Betty Hilton (Year Program, ’81-’82) gave this sermon at her temple in San Antonio, Texas about how much the Pardes experience influenced her. Sadly, she died as the result of a brain tumor about a year after giving the sermon, Dec. 2008. Have you ever wondered whether or not God is directing your life? Does Continue Reading »

[Take 5] My Poland Trip in Perspective

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

This past Sunday night was Simchat Torah. I spent the evening in the Pardes beit midrash, dancing and singing, along with many of you. The energy in the room was palpable, and filled me up with a feeling of pure joy. I experienced a particularly moving moment when the singing shifted to “Am Yisrael Chai: Continue Reading »

צום קל

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Aliza Geller

Cross-posted from my blog: Yom Kippur ended a couple of hours ago, but I cannot fall asleep. Instead, I decided to update my blog. I think that this year has been the easiest fast I have ever had. Last year, I got sick enough that I needed to end the fast a few minutes early. Continue Reading »

Week of Majesty

Posted on May 29, 2012 by AdAm Mayer

Originally posted to my blog last week before Shavuot: This week was the week of Joyceee It was also the week of Majesty I barbequed, I went to different natural springs, and I danced! I was at a baby naming 🙂 and now we will always be reminded how much of a Blessing Jerusalem is! We Continue Reading »

Week 38: Jerusalem in a Week

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Derek Kwait

(X-posted from my home blog, Yinzer in Yerushalayim) This week really started last Shabbat afternoon as I sat in a corner of the Tayelet (promenade overlooking the Old City and East Jerusalem) reading the opening chapters of James Carroll’s Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Carroll begins the book by discussing the tension between the two Jerusalems, the earthly 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 »