These and Those

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

Tag Archives: history

[Alumni Guest Post] Alissa Thomas: ‘It’s More Than a Feeling’: A Reflection on Zionism

Posted on January 6, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Zionism has become a touchy subject for many people in today’s post-modern culture, but here’s a beautiful, articulate piece that describes Pardes alum Alissa Thomas’ (Spring ’11) personal relationship to the concept of Zionism and the modern state of Israel: From alum Alissa Thomas’ Sh’ma Blog: As expected, everyone is thinking, talking, and praying about Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Shira Abramowitz – The Burden of Legacy: It is no dream.

Posted on January 4, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Shira has left us for another adventure, and we miss her… But her insightful writing continues (x-posted here below)! Legacy. A pretty big word around here. Here being Jerusalem, a city that many nations hold dear due to its history and importance in relation to their people, their culture, their religion. As a proud member of Continue Reading »

Notes By ShiraBee: Hevron Visit, Preparation

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Shira Bee

Originally posted on my blog: Preparatory session for our trip to Hevron (West Bank). Speakers presented about the biblical connection to the region, the historical political background, the view from Breaking the Silence, and from an IDF soldier.

[Alumni Guest Post] A Little Hanukah History

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 »

the winds give me courage

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Shoshana Rosen

Originally posted on my blog: With every word I am writing I am telling my 10 year old self-you can do it With every spelling mistake I am telling my high school self, you will get through this With every period. I am showing my college self There is more I promise Rav kook used Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Hannah Grossman – Chanukah Dvar

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Hannah Grossman

I have always loved exploring the connections between the Torah/Haftarah readings in respect to the holidays on which they are read. With Chanukah coming around the corner I saw an opportune time to delve into an analysis. Throughout Chanukah we read Bamidbar 7:1- 8:4, chronicling the gifts of the princes of the twelve tribes at Continue Reading »

Authentically Now

Posted on November 27, 2012 by David Bogomolny

Evan was my first flatmate in Israel; he and I studied at Pardes together, and we had plenty of conversations about our shared Jewish heritage over the course of that year. He had fond childhood memories of his grandfather, a traditional, American shul-going Jew, and recalled the smell and texture of the tallit that he had worn at Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Intrafaith Engagement

Posted on October 17, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

by Ben Barer (Fall 2010, Fellows 2011-12) Cross-posted from his blog. “All Jews are friends” I came across this article recently, and the tenor of the article greatly disturbed me.  My friend and fellow Pardes alum did a wonderful job setting the record straight, but I see the underlying problem as requiring more thought as 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 »

Holiday Edition!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Eric Feldman

cross-posted from my blog: Hey!  It’s been a while since I posted last, so lets get right to it. The last 2 weeks were the two major holidays of the year, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and the last major holiday of the month, Sukkot, begins on Sunday night and lasts for a week.  Sukkahs Continue Reading »