Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on November 13, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Betty Hilton (Year Program, ’81-’82) gave this sermon at her temple in San Antonio, Texas about how much the Pardes experience influenced her. Sadly, she died as the result of a brain tumor about a year after giving the sermon, Dec. 2008. Have you ever wondered whether or not God is directing your life? Does Continue Reading »
Posted on October 15, 2012 by Shira Bee
Originally posted on my blog: And I’m in Jerusalem. Life is different here. As someone said beautifully in the opening circle of my program, Pardes, I think “I breathe differently here.” The pure age of the structures around me, the intensely spiritual aura that seems to ebb and flow throughout the city during the times Continue Reading »
Posted on September 24, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
By Tyson Herberger (PEP ’08-’10) Everyone knows Jews fast on Yom Kippur, but why? The simple answer is “tradition”. The Torah (Vayikra 23:7) says to afflict our souls on Yom Kippur and the rabbis understand this affliction to be a number of prohibitions – including fasting. Fasting stirs up teshuva and brings us closer to Continue Reading »
Posted on July 1, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
Alum Chanan Kessler (Year Program ’86) has shared his personal blog with us, which chronicles his reflections and experiences after his mother passed away. Chanan, we’re very sorry to hear of your loss… and thank you so much for sharing your insights and process with the rest of us.
Posted on May 22, 2012 by Barer
I just had the immense privilege of watching Footnote (הערת שוליים) with some fellow Pardesniks followed by a discussion with faculty who have intimate personal knowledge of the culture being described in the film. First, I highly recommend watching the trailer and, if you are even remotely interested, watching the movie before reading what I Continue Reading »
Posted on May 14, 2012 by Austin C.
The following is from all of the notes I’ve taken this year during my studies at Pardes. The subject of prayer has been of particular interest to me… (first presented at the final Pardes Shabbaton) Liturgy/Prayer – Liturgy/Prayer is a basic way for us to get in touch with God, fellow Jews, Jewish values, and Continue Reading »
Posted on May 1, 2012 by AdAm Mayer
First posted on my blog: Every morning the Fow Ti would go out to a near by lake, and sit down with his feet in the water. In the winter the water would be cold, but still, he would stick his feet in the water. He would sit this way for some time before getting Continue Reading »
Posted on April 19, 2012 by Barer
This testimonial was written by Pardes alumnus Daniel Schwartz (Year ’10-’11): Jeff’s reaction to Orthodox Paradox? Noah Feldman had been too easy on the yeshivas of his youth. I can’t help but look back on the bulk of my yeshiva education with bitterness. My teachers smoothed over all the tensions that animate contemporary Judaism, petrifying Continue Reading »
Posted on April 17, 2012 by David Bogomolny
The Tachanun practice that we learned in class has shaped my daily davening. It took my a few minutes in class to take the practice seriously – to really relate to the idea of being dead, rather than just playing dead – but after a while, I was able to see my mat as a 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 »
