These and Those

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

Tag Archives: holidays

[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 »

[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 »

Chanukah is almost here! Unbelievable!

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

The following post has been cross-posted from my Studymoon blog. Hello! Shmatan here again, writing from the holy land! I cannot believe that Chanukah has almost arrived! That means that all us Pardesniks have now been here for 3 months! It blows my mind how fast time goes by. Before, we get started, I must 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 »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] R. Julie Gordon – ‘A Tale of Two Sisters’

Posted on November 22, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

ויצא If Leah were alive today, this is what I think she would tell us. “‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’1 Rahel and I are twins2 born five minutes apart. I am the older sister, and like any set of twins, we had our good days and we had Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Benny Levy — Thanksgiving Appreciation

Posted on November 22, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Benny Levy (PEP ’07-’09) originally wrote this dvar Torah for the Pardes Educators Alumni Support Project: We celebrated Simchat Torah not long ago. One of the customs of the holiday is to call all children under Bnai Mitzvah age to the Torah in order to include them in the happiness of ending the cycle of Continue Reading »

“Gangnam Chanukkah” – Mar Ḥeshván

Posted on November 19, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

New Chanukkah video by Pardes’ own Mar Ḥeshván: Arranged and Mixed by Hillel Buechler Vocals by Amir Zinkow Video by Brian Blumenthal and Hillel Buechler — Background track from: “Gangnam Style” by PSY

Setting My Goals For The Year

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Aliza Geller

Originally posted on http://pomegranatesandpapercranes.blogspot.co.il/: During orientation for the program I am in at Pardes (part of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators), we were challenged to set goals for ourselves for the year. I was a bit apprehensive about doing this at first, and put it off until now for the following reasons. The first Continue Reading »

Life Post-Chagim

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Eric Feldman

Originally posted on my blog: Hey, remember me? Sorry it’s been so long since I posted last, but things have been pretty busy here. I’m not exactly sure where I left off last, but I think it was somewhere around sukkot break (called one of the chagim aka festivals), so let me jump to that Continue Reading »

Sukkot 2.0

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

I have decided that Sukkot is my favorite holiday to celebrate in Israel. Appreciating the simplicity of life. Showing gratitude for our blessings. Being in the great outdoors. Quality time with friends. An offensive amount of food. A reason for my family to say, “a week off from school? come home and get a job!” Continue Reading »