These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Pardes Center for Jewish Educators (PCJE)

[PCJE Dvar Torah] The Driver’s Seat

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Ariel Eliach Forman

This weeks Parsha marks the beginning of the Israelites impending enslavement in Egypt. It also happens to be a portion of the Tanach that I have long struggled with. After Yoseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, he reassures them that God in fact sent him to Egypt initially, to be in a position to Continue Reading »

Eight days of extra light

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Laura Marder

I shared this dvar Torah at the recent PCJE Hanuka party: Why 8? This question is asked in Megillah Taanit. The Rabbi’s ask, “Why 8 days?” They explore the fact that 7 would be more normative. Moses inaugurates the Mishkan, that’s 7 days. Shlomo dedicated the Temple, that’s 7 days. So why is Hanukkah 8 Continue Reading »

Doodling Torah

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 »

[Living with Jewishness] Hanukkah Videos

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Elana Shilling

Here are the first 3 videos from my new Youtube channel “Living with Jewishness”: Hanukkah, Day 1:

Over and Under

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Jeff Amshalem

From my blog: A short teaching from R. Uziel Meizlish, Tiferes Uziel, Parshat Miketz ויהי מקץ שנתים ימים ופרעה חולם והנה עומד על היאור וגו’. פרעה אמר בסיפור חלומו שעומד על שפת היאור. וקשה הא בחלום עצמו כתיב שעומד על היאור ולא על שפת. ואפשר שזה הרשע שינה במכוון כי היאור היה אלהיו כידוע מאמרם ז”ל שהרשעים Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Trust in God?

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Candace Mittel

I like to think of our forefathers and their descendants, the crucial figures we meet in Tanach, as relevant role models, exhibiting features and characteristics we should venture to adopt into our own lives today.  Of course, many of their actions make us wriggle—Abraham’s fervor and zeal (and lack of hesitation) when God commands him Continue Reading »

Mikeitz Meets Chanukah

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Sara Spanjer

Mikeitz, is the parsha of this week, Pharaoh had two dreams which would led to Egypt’s peak. Joseph was at his lowest, in captive for things he did not do, Forgotten by the chief cupbearer and feeling pretty blue. Until he was remembered, it had been some time, Pharaoh needed help, interpreting the corn and Continue Reading »

Relationship with God

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Max Einsohn

G0D by Max Jared November 2013 Many Jews today struggle with the concept of “God.” Some even squirm at the thought of approaching this subject in their life. That’s why, when I walked into my Self, Soul, and Text class during the first few weeks, I was taken aback by the comfort at which the Continue Reading »

[Living with Judaism] Thanksgivikkah

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Elana Shilling

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Finding Blessing in Struggle

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Dita Ribner Cooper

During a hike outside of Jerusalem on our first Pardes shabbaton I found myself walking behind two people that had just met. Like all first meetings go, they each introduced themselves, asked where the other was from, and where the other person was living during his/her year in Pardes. It was the beginning of what Continue Reading »