Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on February 28, 2013 by Heather Kantrowitz
Parshat Ki Tissa contains a myriad of events, most notably, the incident of the Golden Calf. When Moses descends Mount Sinai after 40 days and nights in preparation for receiving the 10 Commandments, he discovers the people dancing around this molten calf. He then “hurled the tablets from his hand and shattered them at the Continue Reading »
Posted on February 22, 2013 by Aliza Geller
This weekend, Parashat Tetzaveh, Shabbat Zachor is my Bat Mitzvah portion. When I was 12 years old, I wrote a dvar Torah about the maftir and haftarah. The reason this made sense, is that Shabbat Zachor is one of four Shabbatot where the maftir aliyah is from a different place in the Torah. In this Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on November 24, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted on my blog: “The desert, when the sun comes up… I couldn’t tell where Heaven stopped and the Earth began. It was so beautiful.” -Forrest Gump Here are some pictures from my school’s trip to the Negev desert two weeks ago. (Pictures are better quality if you click on them!) Israel, you are Continue Reading »
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 »
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 »
Posted on November 18, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
Originally posted on my blog: “You’re worried? You don’t need to be worried. The rockets can’t reach Jerusalem,” they said. “You don’t feel safe in Tel-Aviv? Come stay with us for Shabbat,” we said. “No, Mom, I’m fine. Jerusalem is out of the range of the rockets. Don’t worry,” I said. Yesterday was Friday. I Continue Reading »
Posted on November 16, 2012 by Aliza Geller
When I was asked to write a Dvar Torah for Parshat Toldot, two memories came to mind: The first, was from when I was in forth grade, at Solomon Schechter of Bergen County, in New Milford, New Jersey. For certain Parshiot, we were assigned to do a project, Parshat Toldot was mine. I made my Continue Reading »
Posted on November 9, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
This week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, is chock-full of fascinating narrative. We’ve got the death (and life?) of Sarah, the purchase of the burial plot in Hevron, Rebekah by the well in what is the first shidduch (matchmaker) arrangement in the Torah, and of course, the burial of Abraham by his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. With all Continue Reading »
Posted on November 5, 2012 by Heather Kantrowitz
Originally posted on my blog: Since I’ve mostly been settling into a normal routine of class, class, eat, class, class, eat, shabbat (eat, pray, eat, pray), class… etc, I thought I would do a different kind of post. By the time I get home at night, I’m usually completely wiped out and ready to relax Continue Reading »
