These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Rabbi James Moshe Jacobson-Maisels

And God said, let there be a Red Heifer and Radical Acceptance.

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Jacob Haas

  Below is a Dvar I wrote for Moishe House.   As Pardes and Moishe House have a new partnership I thought it would appropriate to share this with the Pardes community as well. “This is the decree (Hok) of the Torah, which God has commanded, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel, and they Continue Reading »

Walk Torah, Talk Torah with David Levin-Kruss

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Meira Cohen

On November 29, David Levin-Kruss walked up and down the High Line in NYC, teaching Torah and raising money for cancer research. Among those who joined him was an incoming student. by Meira Cohen I’m not due to arrive in Jerusalem for another month, but I have already experienced the legendary warmth of Pardes. As Continue Reading »

Yes and No.

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Alanna Kleinman

Last week, in Self Soul & Text with Rav James, we talked about concepts of generosity and opening oneself up to giving. We were given the assignment to “just say yes” for one week, and then to “say no” for half a week. This practice just so happened to coincide with Thanksgiving, with Hannukah, and Continue Reading »

Relationship with God

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Max Einsohn

G0D by Max Jared November 2013 Many Jews today struggle with the concept of “God.” Some even squirm at the thought of approaching this subject in their life. That’s why, when I walked into my Self, Soul, and Text class during the first few weeks, I was taken aback by the comfort at which the Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Awakening the Divine

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Baruch Tauber

Dear Friends In January, I attended my first meditation retreat at Awakening the Divine. As a beginner to meditation practice, I definitely had my doubts. Sit for hours at a time?! Not talk to anyone?! Really?! Will I have a million emails when I get back? Will I die from boredom? What the hell will Continue Reading »

Blessed for 13 Days

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Stefanie Groner

I shared these parting words at Community Lunch today at Pardes: In three weeks, I will start my first-ever, grown-up, real-life job as a consultant. From my understanding, a consultant comes in as an outsider to a space, gets to know the ins and outs and upside-downs of that place, and develops creative and effective Continue Reading »

What I Learned in School Today

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Stefanie Groner

From my blog: I had more class hours today than I attended in an average week of college. This post is a ‘typical day’ post, but you might notice this is not a ‘typical’ school in any way. Here’s what I studied: 8:30-11:15 am: In our intro to Mishneh class (early biblical commentary), we studied Continue Reading »

Homemade Pop-Tarts for Davening on the Tayelet!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Aliza Geller

I made homemade pop-tarts for tomorrow’s Community Davening on the Tayelet!   [expand title=”click here for info about tomorrow’s davening”] We will begin at 5:05am. Sunrise is at 5:36. Our schedule for the morning is: Birkot HaShahar and Psukei led by Mike Nash and Laura Marder with simultaneous yoga led by Emly (Yoga mats will Continue Reading »

Or Halev Meditation Retreat with James Jacobson-Maisels – Incredible experience!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Stuart Matan Lithwick

Hello! I spent the entirety of last week doing very little but learning so much! Annie and I went on the week-long Jewish meditation retreat, taught by Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels (think Self, Soul, and Text), and Rabbi Jeff Roth, at Kibbutz Hannaton. Over the entire week, we could not talk to anyone except for participating Continue Reading »

7-Day Silent Meditation Retreat

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Eric Feldman

From my blog: Imagine spending seven days without your phone, television, or computer. Okay, now add on the incentive of no listening to music, reading, or writing. And now try doing that without speaking or communicating at all. Not just verbal communication; you can’t even look at anyone else. Oh, and one final, small thing Continue Reading »