Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on January 18, 2014 by Andrea Wiese
Shabbat at Etz Hayim in Ortakoy – Shabbat came with a lot of logistical coordinations, it was hard to arrive Thursday and then jump into Shabbat as foreigners, but the Etz Hayim community welcomed us and Rabbi Cooper with open arms. We had a wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat mixed with traditional sephardi tunes and then Eli Witkin led Continue Reading »
Posted on January 4, 2014 by Cara Abrams-Simonton
There are many interesting events, aspects and themes in Parashat Bo. One theme that emerges is the notion of free will which the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart and the purpose of the plagues in general present. I find this theme extremely relevant and accessible for people of all ages.While student teaching last year at the Continue Reading »
Posted on December 9, 2013 by Aliza Geller
From my blog: The Intensive Tanach Track with Neima Novetsky is exploring the “highlights” of the Torah this year. After completing the the first book, Bereshit we were tasked with coming up with a way to remember the contents of each Parsha. This would have been better for me if I had chosen my method from Continue Reading »
Posted on December 1, 2013 by Tani Cohen-Fraade
I’ve always been a Doodler. Friends, classmates and teachers would all be able to tell you how many countless hours I have spent in and out of class with a pen or pencil in my hand drawing all sorts of shapes connected with lines, tubes, arrows etc… as well as a wide assortment of trees, Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2013 by Laura Marder
What if you always knew exactly how long you have something or someone to enjoy? You knew that these were the precious few days or years and then they/ it would be gone. Would that change your relationship or feelings towards them/it? Would you follow the wise words of Rav Tim McGraw and “live like Continue Reading »
Posted on September 9, 2013 by Avi Benson-Goldberg
From my blog: This summer, I tried to teach Judaics to 15 year olds for 8 weeks. It was probably a failed mission from the beginning, because the last thing any 15 year old wants to do is spend an hour inside with a 24 year old authority figure, even as patently cool and with-it Continue Reading »
Posted on August 21, 2013 by David Bogomolny
The Genesis at Brandeis University program where I’ve worked for the past two summers has many moving parts on the participant, staff and faculty levels. The ‘investigation’ component of a residential staff member’s responsibilities is an opportunity for professional development, through which the staff person explores an element of hir work at Genesis (or its Continue Reading »
Posted on August 15, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Becca Bubis (PEP 2009-11) is starting her third year of teaching in the upper school at Tarbut v’Torah, in Orange County, CA. Twelve years ago I shuddered at the thought of standing on the bimah and delivering an address on Parashat Ki Tavo to two hundred and fifty people about a topic with which they Continue Reading »
Posted on August 7, 2013 by Andrea Wiese
Every summer when I start working with forty reform North American teenagers, I know exactly what is going to happen. I am going to pour my heart and soul into being their mechanechet (educator), taking them through Europe and Israel, into keeping them healthy, and making sure they feel loved. And when they leave five Continue Reading »
Posted on July 22, 2013 by Susan Daniels
I became a widow in the year 2000. I never thought I’d be checking that box on printed forms and registrations. I had two small children, and a two week old Masters in Education. My most memorable interview was at the Orthodox Day School where I found my new job. The principal tried to convince Continue Reading »
