Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 20, 2014 by Lisa Motenko
You are what you eat. For Jews, this adage rings especially true because we follow strict dietary laws that strengthen our relationship with G-d, as well as distinguish us from other nations. Growing up I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted – except for pig. Like many assimilated American Jews, my family did not keep kosher, but Continue Reading »
Posted on March 20, 2014 by Max Einsohn
From the 2014 Purim Shpiel: I mixed the voice of our amazing teacher Levi Cooper, energizing us with a powerful “To the Beit Midrash!!” each day before we enter our Chevruta learning. I just felt like every time he said “To the Beit Midrash!!” that we were going off to fight crime or something… So Continue Reading »
Posted on March 13, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman
by Ilana Lipman (PEP ’07, Assistant Director of the Pardes Educators Alumni Support Project) Storytime season is upon us. When I think of the Purim/Pesach season, I see vivid characters from far away countries, heroes of our people, crowns and jewels and riches and royalty, evil people and good people, dark fears and startling redemptions. What rich stories Continue Reading »
Posted on March 12, 2014 by Andrea Wiese
From my blog: Last night, after school, I went with the Director of Jewish Life and her five year old son to watch a hockey game between JDS (the school where I’m doing my student teaching) and Israel. I didn’t know that Israel had a youth hockey team, but they were touring DC all the Continue Reading »
Posted on March 11, 2014 by Andrea Wiese
From my blog: I put teaching in quotations because even though it was my first day at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (JDS for short) in Rockville, Maryland, I definitely didn’t teach. I observed, a lot.
Posted on March 6, 2014 by Max Einsohn
This week we begin reading the third book of the Torah, Sefer Vayikra. This book, commonly known by its Greek name Leviticus, consists of laws of sacrifices, ritual purity, and kashrut. Sefer Vayikra is also referred to as “Torat Cohanim” relating to this book’s emphasis on the laws and behavior of the Priests, or Cohanim. Continue Reading »
Posted on March 4, 2014 by Andrea Wiese
From my blog: Last Thursday I received an email from my dad. (This is normal, we email a lot.) The email said, “i am getting plates and bowls for you, do you need separate silverware? please let me know your dietary needs. what do you want to eat while you are here? what can you Continue Reading »
Posted on February 27, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman
This week’s parasha, Pekudei, is the last portion in the Book of Shmot (Exodus), and the final section in a series on the building of the mishkan, or tabernacle, in the desert. As such, I think it would be instructive to look back at the idea of “God’s house” in an earlier segment of the Continue Reading »
Posted on February 22, 2014 by Carolyn Gerecht
This year, studying in the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators’ Program for Experiential Jewish Education (PEEP) and Yeshiva University’s Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education, I’ve been fortunate to have had many, many opportunities to answer the question, “What exactly is Experiential Jewish Education?” Typically, I respond in a couple of short sentences. “Most people think Continue Reading »
Posted on February 20, 2014 by Cara Abrams-Simonton
I love the imagery in Parashat Vayakhel. I love the introduction of Betzalel, Oholiab and the wise-hearted artisans who build the Mishkan and its furnishings. And I love that the people give so many donations for the creation of these precious ornaments that both Betzalel and Oholiab call out to Moshe to get them to Continue Reading »
