These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Rabbi Aryeh Ben David

Alai, My Singular Aleinu

Posted on February 1, 2014 by David Bogomolny

Aryeh Ben David once asked me, “What does it mean to be Jewish?” Reflecting upon this, I had some vague ideas, but had never much considered it. “The word Jew (יהודי) is derived from the name Judah (יהודה),” he answered himself, “which comes from the root ‘to thank’. So, for me, the essence of being a Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Thoughts on Gratitude by Aryeh Ben David

Posted on February 16, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Originally posted on Ayeka BlogBy Aryeh Ben David (Year ’80) A few years ago a colleague, Rabbi Gordon Tucker, told me the most depressing observation about parenting. He said, “You’re only as happy as your least happy kid.” What?! That’s not fair at all. We have six kids. If 5 are happy and one is Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Ayeka: The Cherry on my Spiritual Journey’s Cake

Posted on January 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

By Mira B. Shore (Summer ’09, ’10; Year ’12) As a self-identified progressive, liberal, secular Jew growing up at Jewish Day School, I spent a lot of my time and energy speaking about why prayer and G-d were NOT a part of my life. I actively ran from prayer. Once I had my bat-mitzvah, there Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] The Word “Jew”

Posted on December 20, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Originally posted on the Ayeka blog By Aryeh Ben David (Year ’80): Sometimes I start a workshop by asking people if they know what the word “Jew” means. It is amazing how many people do not know what it means. I checked a few encyclopedias, googled it, and was surprised to see how many theories Continue Reading »

Kavuah T’filah

Posted on December 5, 2012 by David Bogomolny

Fixed prayer is a salient element of halakha (Jewish law). Jews committed to halakha pray 3x every day (morning, afternoon, evening), and for many it is challenging to find meaning in the mandated, daily recitation of standardized liturgy. A couple of years ago, I took a class that explored various spiritual practices in Hasidic and Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Aryeh Ben David – What is Spiritual Education?

Posted on December 3, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Posted by Aryeh Ben David (Year ’80) On the Ayeka Blog: (These thoughts were influenced by Parker Palmer’s A Life Unidvided) Holding the space for souls to reveal. Soul evoking soul. If I had to summarize Judaism in a sentence it might be: souls evoking souls. Sympathetic vibrations of our souls. First – I pluck Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Learning with One’s Heart

Posted on November 9, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Originally posted by Aryeh Ben David (Year Program ’79-’80) on the Ayeka Blog: CONTROLLING THE URGE THAT TELLS US ‘MORE IS BETTER’. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KNOW SOMETHING? Does it mean to understand it? Does it mean to know something well enough to pass a test? Does it mean to be able to recite Continue Reading »

Relative Power Dynamics

Posted on November 4, 2012 by David Bogomolny

I have been involved with Ayeka for more than two years now. I had the privilege of participating in two Ayeka modules facilitated by Aryeh Ben David (the first on developing a personal relationship with God, and the second on developing meaningful relationships with other people – all created in the image of God). The Continue Reading »

Attitude

Posted on October 1, 2012 by David Bogomolny

I credit this quote to Dr. Viktor Frankl, having read his book (a must read), but first heard this idea from my mentor Aryeh Ben David: Source: google.com via Rocio on Pinterest   To paraphrase: The only thing you can control is your attitude. Some years ago I was sitting with a teacher, learning about the fast of Continue Reading »

[Student Profile] Stu Jacobs

Posted on February 21, 2012 by David Bogomolny

“I’m very adamant about a pluralistic model of Jewish practice.” -Stu Jacobs In 5th grade, a teacher inspired Stu Jacobs to explore and gradually start keeping more mitzvot, and throughout his youth the young man strived to connect to and practice a new mitzvah every single year. His teacher had said that ‘he didn’t have Continue Reading »