These and Those

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

Tag Archives: peace

The Task As I Understand It Currently

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Eli Steier

Fall Creek Elementary כולָנו עַם אֶחַד We are all one people نحن جميعا أمة واحدة   עוֹלָם שֶל מִשְפָחָת אַחַת A world of one family عالم من عائلة واحدة   יֵש רַק שָפָה אַחַת There is only one language هنالك فقط لغة واحدة   ואוֹתָה מְדַבְרִים הַיְלָדִים and the children speak it والاطفال يتحدثون بها Continue Reading »

[PCJE] My personal reflection after today’s events in Jerusalem

Posted on November 18, 2014 by David Derin

Those of you who know me well are aware of the fact that I do not like to talk about things related to politics. I personally feel that when people talk about politics it frequently leads to disagreement, yelling, and hurt feelings. At the end of the day, my opinions are my opinions and I Continue Reading »

[PCJE] The Prophecy of “The Walking Dead”

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Geo Poor

(Spoiler Alert) I live 0.93 miles from the Green Line. For those who don’t know what that means, I live, in a perfectly normal suburban(ish) area that is less than a mile from an area that is called by some “occupied.” An area that looks just like this, and many other cities, and yet if Continue Reading »

O’seh Shalom: Pray with Me

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Carrie Sealine

I shared these words at the final Community Lunch of the 2014 Summer Program: I am an unorthodox Jew. But I know I am Israel because I wrestle with Divine Power — אל — all the time. ישראל: the Power Wrestlers. Among the powers with which I struggle is the power that comes from privilege. Continue Reading »

More Than Four Faces of Israel | Part 4

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Sarah Pollack

From my blog: A few weeks ago, an actress came to Pardes to do a kind of skit, stereotyping Four Faces of Israel, or four different people that one will inevitably encounter in Israel. She portrayed the narratives of a Haredi woman, a settler, a kibbutznik and an Arab woman. Somehow, every experience that I have, Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] The New King

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Lisa Motenko

I chose to write a dvar torah for this week’s portion of Shemot because it is the week of my birthday and this was also the portion for my bat mitzvah 17 (gasp!) years ago!  I have been privileged to study Shemot in depth this semester at Pardes and could describe dozens of fascinating insights, Continue Reading »

A Bat Mitzvah Blessing

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Nataliya Naydorf

This is the dvar Torah that I gave at my bat mitzvah on Monday: (enjoy!) In this week’s parsha, Yakov, nearing his final days, travels to Egypt to visit Yosef, his favorite son whom he thought was dead. Upon meeting Yosef, he finds that Yosef has two sons of his own, Ephraim and Menashe, born Continue Reading »

Modah Ani | I’m Alive!

Posted on November 29, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

From my blog: מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם, שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה. רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ. Grateful I am before you, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great. These are the first words that leave our lips in the morning – while still laying in bed. Continue Reading »

The Patriarch’s Plea, or: Abraham’s Moment of Doubt and Pain

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Benjamin Friedman

Performed on the Negev tiyulduring the Talent Show: I sat in fire with my faith I smashed the idols of my race I left the land of father’s rules To wander far and play the fool Against great doubts I had to fight All to be keep your vision bright To keep you fixed within Continue Reading »

Three Women of Jerusalem

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

(Read it on my blog) A Haredi, a kibbutznik, and a Muslim walk into a bar. (beat) Mashiach comes!! Well, I don’t know what would actually happen; I never actually saw the three of them in the same room at the same time. And now for some context: This Tuesday, I went on a tiyul with Continue Reading »