These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Pardes

The Pardes Kollel Experience

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Jeff Amshalem

This past week, while I was substitute teaching a halakhah class here at Pardes, I mentioned by way of introduction that as well as being a proud and very busy member of the Pardes Educators Program, I am also, in that context, a member of the Kollel here. People immediately asked, what is this Kollel Continue Reading »

It’s all just a power struggle

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Sam Stern

From my blog: No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it. What Being Jewish Means to Me By Sam Stern I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all written this essay before. It probably talks about receiving Hanukka presents, eating matza balls, playing with your friends at temple, and watching Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] ‘From outside Pardes’ by Aaron Voldman

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Aaron Voldman (Fall ’12, Elul ’13) is still taking classes at Pardes, as a Dorot Fellow. He recently wrote this poem- Over the din Of traffic A flute sounds Signaling the start of class To the melody of “Tov lhodot Lashem:” “It is good to praise Hashem To declare in the morning his kindness And Continue Reading »

[Alumni/Staff Guest Post] Down the Stairs of Your Local Coffee Shop

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Jenna King Brill

It was maybe five minutes after I first walked into the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies’ beit midrash that I thought: “Woah. The people here are incredible!” Anyone you talk to who has spent time at Pardes will tell you that it is the people who make it such a unique and wonderful place. It Continue Reading »

A few highlights from Istanbul

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Andrea Wiese

Shabbat at Etz Hayim in Ortakoy – Shabbat came with a lot of logistical coordinations, it was hard to arrive Thursday and then jump into Shabbat as foreigners, but the Etz Hayim community welcomed us and Rabbi Cooper with open arms.  We had a wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat mixed with traditional sephardi tunes and then Eli Witkin led Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] A message to all those who are considering studying in Israel.

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

David Gutbezahl (Year ’13) reflects upon the year thathe spent at Pardes: Within every Jew there is planted a seedling. This seedling, the desire to learn Torah, has the ability to grow into one of the most beautiful trees in the world, the Tree of Knowledge. While it is true that trees can grow strong Continue Reading »

Our NYE’s Engagement Party

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Jessica Baverman

From my blog: Our wonderful friends at Pardes threw us a New Year’s Eve Engagement Party. We are so blessed to have friends and family who are supportive. I was telling our story to one of my classmates, and she explained how emotionally involved she is in our relationship. Many of our classmates feel very Continue Reading »

Institute

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Andrea Wiese

From my blog: This isn’t the first time I have written about The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and honestly, it probably won’t be the last. Today, Shabbat, Parsha Va’Eira, was very special. There was a Bar Mitzvah of Avi, a son of one my teachers at Pardes, Meesh Hammer Kossoy. I have no idea Continue Reading »

Together in Paris

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Alana Bandos

Together in Paris.  That’s what Anastasia’s grandmother says to her before their family is torn apart in the hit animated feature film Anastasia (which is not actually a Disney movie).  It’s on the necklace the young girl wears through to adulthood and it helps her reclaim her true identity as heir to the Russian throne.  Continue Reading »

Nataliya’s Bat Mitzvah – Photos & Video

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Sara Spanjer

On Monday, December 9, one of our fellow students, Nataliya Naydorf, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Robinson’s Arch. Despite the cold weather and wet ground, we were all warm listening to Nataliya read beautifully from the Torah, and her meaningful and well written D’var Torah on Parshat Vayechi. Nataliya is, beyond question, a role model Continue Reading »