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] Emulating my Grandparents

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Ariel Eliach Forman

This week’s Parsha, Parshat Kedoshim uses the literary device of an “inclusio”. It starts and ends with the same line. דַּבֵּר אֶל-כָּל-עֲדַת בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם–קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ: כִּי קָדוֹשׁ, אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.   and ends with: וִהְיִיתֶם לִי קְדֹשִׁים, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אֲנִי יְהוָה;   In the middle, the parsha talks about all the ways and laws Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Pesach, Matzah, Marror

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Naomi Zaslow

Over the last week, I and most of my fellow PEPers, have been traveling around the States, doing model lessons for schools in hopes of gainful employment. One of my favorite model lessons that I’ve done focused on the Passover Seder and the way that we tell our story of leaving Egypt year after year. Continue Reading »

It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Aliza Geller

There is a good chance that I won’t be returning to Pardes after Passover. So, during community lunch yesterday, I said a few words, an option given to anyone who wants to reflect on their experience at Pardes. Here is what I said: Roughly two hours ago I walked into the Beit Midrash to return Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Pillars of New Homes

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Josh Pernick

“I’m not totally sure what the appropriate response is” was all that I could come up with in the moment. How could I effectively convey my feelings towards my friend, who had just informed me that she was going to be moving halfway across the country? While moving to new cities has become a way Continue Reading »

Torah Study on an iPad? Yes? No? Absolutely!

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Cara Abrams-Simonton

From my blog: As a Master of Jewish Education student I have been introduced to many educational theories, developmental psychology and pedagogical practices. In addition to all these areas we also focus on the place of 21st century learning in today’s educational world, which of course includes the discussion of technology’s role in education. Currently Continue Reading »

Bittersweet Goodbye

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Dita Ribner Cooper

Today is the beginning of my last week student-teaching at the Heschel school in Manhattan. I have loved so many aspects of my time here from teaching students to meeting the faculty and even observing a few PEP alumni at work! It is inspiring to see how much these alumni appreciate their experiences at Pardes Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Blurred Realities by Daniel Wolf

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Parshat Tazria presents the laws of zara’at (leprosy). This lengthy exposition that continues into next week’s portion highlights the difficulties in learning (and teaching) the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus). The detailed laws of kosher animals from last week’s portion are complicated enough. But over one hundred and fifty verses about lepers and bodily discharges overwhelmingly stretch our Continue Reading »

Only one more week is not enough with these students!

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Laura Marder

I am having so much fun with my 7th graders at Hannah Senesh Community Day School. We are learning Bmidbar 13 and 14. These chapters really speak to where the students are in their lives. They, like Bnai Yisrael are close to embarking on a journey to a new land…. The HIGH SCHOOL! The 8th Continue Reading »

Judy visits JDS

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Andrea Wiese

From my blog: I was lucky that my faculty check in during student teaching landed right in the middle of my student teaching. It is really easy to get overwhelmed (especially as a second year, in my case third) with teaching, but also interviewing and juggling life. Not only was Judy a great observer and Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Frostbite and Recovery by Evan Wolkenstein

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Evan Wolkenstein (Year ’99, Fellows ’00, PEP ’00-’02) reflects upon the 2014 Pardes ‘Spring Forward’ Retreat for Judaics Teachers (from his blog) I had no business being outside without my arms covered. But Stu and I needed to run. Clearly. That’s what we’ve always done together. Stu packed smarter than I did. He brought a Continue Reading »