Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on April 24, 2012 by aliza
We are a group of international students living in Jerusalem deeply disturbed by the racism that has recently manifested itself in a series of violent incidents involving the Beitar Jerusalem soccer fans. On March 19, hundreds of Beitar fans stormed the Malha mall in Jerusalem, violently assaulting Arab workers while chanting racist slogans including “Death Continue Reading »
Posted on April 23, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
We showed the first of these videos at community breakfast this morning. The 2nd, “Israel in Action” has more footage of the actual fighting.
Posted on April 23, 2012 by Laura H.
Being in Israel has taught me how to prepare. No, not how to properly pack bags, or take provisions for a hike – both of which are useful skills in this country, but how to prepare mentally. I noticed this immediately when I arrived. Pardes began as the month of Elul started, a time when Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on April 17, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Awesome music video made by Sam Rotenberg & Andrew Lustig – they played this for the community during the Pardes Purim spiel this year! Check it out!
Posted on April 16, 2012 by Derek Kwait
“Even if all of us were wise, all of us understanding, all of us knowing the Torah, we would still be obligated to discuss the exodus from Egypt,” says the Haggada. While by no means do I, like most of the people I had seder with this year, consider myself inordinately wise or understanding, I Continue Reading »
Posted on April 11, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Rabbi David Levin Kruss shares two back-to-back podcast lessons with us this week: 5772 — Pesach 8th Day: Messianism Today. DLK discusses Messianism, a theme of the Haftorah for the eighth day of Pesach celebrated outside of Israel. Click here for the handout. 5772 — Shemini: Strange Fire. Click here for the handout.
Posted on April 11, 2012 by Barer
[cross-posted from my blog] Celebrating Pesach in Israel, for only the second time in my life, has definitely been a unique and enjoyable experience. From the relative lack of restrictions on access to delicious food — since so many of the restaurants in the city stay open with completely kosher-for-Pesach menus — to enjoying a Continue Reading »
Posted on April 11, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
This was originally posted on my blog: What is there to say about the Jewish holiday of Purim? Purim is a joyful, happy, and silly holiday which recounts the saving of the Jews from an impending massacre in the Persian period. In the story of Purim, we see a turnaround of fate, a reversal in Continue Reading »
Posted on April 8, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Before Purim, alum Matt Bar (Year ’07-’08, Fellow ’08-’09) of BIBLE RAPS fame visited us at Pardes (and he stayed for the Purim spiel)! We videotaped him rapping for us during community lunch: We also got to talk with him about why he tries to visit Pardes regularly, and got him to share some thoughts Continue Reading »