These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Pardes Center for Jewish Educators (PCJE)

Written in the middle of applying for Rabbinical School

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Annie Matan Gilbert

When I was applying for rabbinical school in 2011, I was inspired to write this poem: I’m on a lifelong quest for wholeness. Understanding, of course, that wholeness has broken edges, that every circle is a shard of light that every soul is a piece of God that every shadow is a trick of the Continue Reading »

Color My World With Hope

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Lauren Schuchart

From my blog: “The best way to fight evil is to do good… and to improve as best as we can, a small corner of our world” Video about the annual Yom Iyyun Shel Chessed Yesterday was our school’s annual Yom Iyyun Shel Chessed (Day of Loving-Kindness). The day is in loving memory of two 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 »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Annie Gilbert – Parshat Vayechi – a Poem

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Annie Matan Gilbert

This week’s PCJE Dvar Torah is on Parshat Vayechi and is heavily inspired by the amazing divrei Torah of Yaffa Epstein and Jenna King-Brill at recent Pardes Night Seders. It’s also a little bit connected to this week’s learning in Ayeka, about “The Hard Stuff” in relationship with God and others. I have been pondering Continue Reading »

Pardesniks on the Cover of the NY TIMES

Posted on December 23, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Stu Jacobs — A Special Connection

Posted on December 21, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Parshat VaYigash has for a long time been a parsha that I have a special connection with. Not only is it my bar mitzvah parsha (20 years ago this year), but it was also the parsha the week following my wedding.  After our wedding in Los Angeles, Aviva and I, who had met in Jerusalem Continue Reading »

Women of the Wall Up Close

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Aliza Geller

Originally posted on my blog: I need to start by saying that I love Israel, I am a zionist and I also believe in egalitarian Judaism. I am still able to love Israel, even though there are a number of problems related to how much sway the religious right has with the Government of Israel Continue Reading »

Women of the Wall Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Andrea Wiese

Originally posted on my blog: I recently learned about Women of the Wall and their struggle for equality at the Kotel, the Western Wall, the most significant religious site for Jews. Every Rosh Chodesh they go to the Kotel to pray together in a minyan (technically, a group of 10 Jewish men, but for them, Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Heather Kantrowitz — A Parshat Miketz Poem

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Heather Kantrowitz

Parshat Miketz is a story About Joseph in all of his glory When Pharaoh dreamt of a cow Joseph said “save food now, Or Egypt will become really gory.” Now Pharaoh knew God was with him For Joseph’s interpretations weren’t dim. He got a new name, Learned to play the Egyptian game, and the store-rooms Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Hannah Grossman – Chanukah Dvar

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 »