These and Those

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

Tag Archives: introspection

Shining Bright

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Brian Blumenthal

“למען ציון לא אחשה ולמען ירושלם לא אשקוט עד יצא כנגה צדקה וישועתה כלפיד יבער” For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth like radiance, and her salvation like a burning torch. (Isaiah 62:1) This semester in Yaffa Epstein’s Bekiut Talmud Continue Reading »

My Modern Jewish Thoughts

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: The most challenging course I am taking at Pardes is called “Critical Issues in Modern Jewish Thought.” There is no Hebrew involved. There is no Aramaic. I don’t even have to memorize birth and death dates of famous Jewish thinkers. What I do have to do, however, is think for myself. And Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Developing Myself

Posted on May 21, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Robyn (Year ’08, PEP ’10) is a third-year teacher. She teaches High School Judaics at the Emory/Wiener School in Houston, where she will continue in the fall. My name is Robyn Miller. Typically, May is not a good time to ask me about my life as a teacher. I’m about to finish my third year Continue Reading »

[Pardes from Jerusalem Podcast] Naso 5773: The Nazirite

Posted on May 17, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

This week, Rabbi Alex Israel discusses Parashat Naso in “The Nazirite.” Naso ’73 Shabbat shalom!

[Alumni Guest Post] Ready!

Posted on May 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Sarah Margles (Year ’02, PEP ’04) reflects upon preparing for Shavuot… what does “readiness” mean? I remember when I first started at Pardes, I would spend much of Fridays getting ready for Shabbat – shopping, cooking, cleaning. When the siren went to light candles, my roommate would inevitably yell out, while running from the bathroom Continue Reading »

Okay, so setting goals isn’t my strong suit…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ma'ayan Dyer

From my blog: Previously, on Lost in Jerusalem, I made the grand pronouncement that I was setting for myself no less than three goals in an attempt to be healthier, happier, and perhaps something more of a writer than a poser who talks about how nice it would be if I were a writer. If Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] How is Kaddish related to mourning?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Chanan Kessler (Year 1985-86) shares the following reflection with us in his mother’s memory. Chanan is a NYC school teacher, and lives in The Bronx. During the year that I recited the Kaddish after the death of my beloved mother, Hinda Yael bat Yosef v’Chaya, may her memory always be with us, I asked myself Continue Reading »

Ghosts in the night

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Abayiss

Tonight is the night.   No, I am not OK. No, you can not help. No, you do not understand. No, I am not alone.   Tonight is the night I dread all year. All the ghosts that have been pushed into the shadows (with the exception of the occasional visit) come out. Tonight is their Continue Reading »

In Pain, but Numb.

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Ma'ayan Dyer

From my blog: Monday was my second Yom HaShoah in Israel. I was standing in the middle of the partition in the road on Rivkah and Pierre Koenig to get a good view of the people stopping their cars and getting out to pay their respects to the dead when the wail of the memorial Continue Reading »

The Return

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: It’s back! It’s back! It’s back! What’s back? Oh, you know, that flattish device that clicks when you use it and lights up when you press a button and performs a number of menial tasks such as making writing legible and connecting an individual to the rest of the world… Oh yes, Continue Reading »