These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Arab-Israeli Conflict

Time to Stir Up Some Controversy…

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Ari Abelman

From my blog: I’d like to use this post to respond to a sentiment that I have frequently heard in recent years among Israelis with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The sentiment goes something like this: “I’m in favor of peace with the Palestinians, including a two-state solution in which the Palestinians would have a Continue Reading »

Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) Olive Tree Planting

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Rachel Rosenbluth

Tu Bishvat. It’s a day to plant a tree, hug a tree, or nap under a tree. Tu Bishvat symbolizes grounded-ness and growth; rooted-ness and renewal. I celebrated this year’s Tu Bishvat by joining Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) on a trip to Qusra, a Palestinian community in the West Bank. Beginning with blessings in Hebrew Continue Reading »

The election happened; now what?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Ari Abelman

From my blog: This post has been edited based on final election results.  I have crossed out incorrect statements rather than delete them, and put corrections in bold. It seems like the most interesting part of American elections happens before the voting, while the most interesting part of Israeli elections happens afterwards.  In American elections, Continue Reading »

A Dvar Torah I wrote for my Synagogue:

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Laura Marder

Shabbat Shalom Pardes. I wanted to share a portion of my Dvar torah that I am giving to my Shul tonight… Shabbat Shalom,   Last week as my facebook followers know I was standing on a mountain over the dead sea welcoming the Sabbath at a meditation retreat. If I close my eyes I can Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

It’s kinda funny for us to think of Megan Dyer (Spring ’12) as an alum because she’s coming back to Pardes in January… Nonetheless, here is another “alumni” guest post from Megan! We’re looking forward to her continued blogging when she returns home to Jerusalem! A couple of weeks ago, I posted in this very Continue Reading »

Struggle is a Shared Value

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Kayla Higgins

(Cross-posted from Interfaith Youth Core) I had just taken my first bite of lunch when I suddenly saw everyone around me stand up and head for the front door. I hadn’t even heard the siren. I put my sandwich down and joined my fellow classmates filing into the bomb shelter, where we gathered for ten Continue Reading »

Empty Notebook

Posted on December 4, 2012 by David Bogomolny

I doodled once on the cover of my notebook, but I didn’t take any notes. Every time we met with a speaker, I brought my notebook and pen with me, but I never once wrote down what they were saying. I’m not sure that I couldn’t have; I’m only sure that I didn’t want to. Continue Reading »

Times Like These….

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Ma'ayan Dyer

[Cross-Posted from my blog, Lost in Jerusalem] Dear readers (all three of you), as you can see, it’s been almost four months since I’ve written for my blog. I could blame writer’s block or the typical day to day distractions as the reason behind my silence. For instance, I’ve been getting into Lost, because my Continue Reading »

Heavy Boots

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

Originally posted on my blog: “We need enormous pockets, pockets big enough for our families and our friends, and even the people who aren’t on our lists, people we’ve never met but still want to protect. We need pockets for boroughs and for cities, a pocket that could hold the universe.” -Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Continue Reading »

The Soul of Jerusalem: A View of Multiple Truths

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Shira Bee

Crossposted from my blog: Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place. ~ Rumi But what does it mean to be the soul of a place like Jerusalem? A place where so many people feel most closely connected to their own inner strength and beliefs, and yet stand in direct conflict with one another? One of Continue Reading »