These and Those

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

Tag Archives: responsibility

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Laura Marder – Parshat Bo

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Laura Marder

In Parshat Bo we are given the first Mitzvah from G-d. The mitzvah of being aware and sanctifying time with Rosh Chodesh. “This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year”. Bo 11:2   While reading BO I tried to Continue Reading »

Some Initial Thoughts on Halakha

Posted on January 16, 2013 by David Bogomolny

One Aspect of Halakha that is Particularly Meaningful to Me “Anyone who identifies as Jewish today only need go back three or four generations to find observant Jews in their family. And from there an unbroken chain of Jewish living that goes back more than three thousand years. Not that everyone has always been observant. Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Shira Abramowitz – The Burden of Legacy: It is no dream.

Posted on January 4, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Shira has left us for another adventure, and we miss her… But her insightful writing continues (x-posted here below)! Legacy. A pretty big word around here. Here being Jerusalem, a city that many nations hold dear due to its history and importance in relation to their people, their culture, their religion. As a proud member of Continue Reading »

Social Justice Today: Peah and Leket

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Adam L Masser

The Torah presents an idealized world in Eretz Yisrael. It describes an agricultural society with certain egalitarian features and a strong ethic of taking care of each other. Everyone has an inherited plot of land, sufficient to support a family. The Israelites are even told by G-d to trust that there will be enough food Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Stu Jacobs — A Special Connection

Posted on December 21, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Parshat VaYigash has for a long time been a parsha that I have a special connection with. Not only is it my bar mitzvah parsha (20 years ago this year), but it was also the parsha the week following my wedding.  After our wedding in Los Angeles, Aviva and I, who had met in Jerusalem 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 »

[Alumni Guest Post] Working for Prophet

Posted on October 29, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

By Jeremy Sorgen (Spring 2011): What is prophecy? Who are prophets? Traditionally, prophets have played the role of messenger of God. They are God’s mouthpiece, communicating their revelation to mankind–at once an onerous responsibility and an unpleasant task. The prophets of the Bible are unhappy creatures, driven mad by the intimate presence of God and Continue Reading »

Lost in the Rhythm

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Andrew Lustig

Originally posted on the Masa Blog:   I came to Israel – to the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies – 10 months ago, so that I could study and become familiar with Jewish text. I wanted very much to live a ‘Jewish life.’ I just didn’t know what that entailed or meant.   Judaism, for Continue Reading »

‘Encounter’ing and Machloket

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Jackie F.

I made aliyah in August 2009, after completing my MPA at Columbia University, knowing that I wanted to come to Israel and use my degree to make a positive difference in the future of the Jewish people. Today I do that through my studies at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and work Continue Reading »

Big Questions

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Jackie F.

I wrote this upon exploring the Israeli narrative with Perspectives Israel: I made aliyah 2.5 years ago. Someday (G-d willing) I will be a mom – a mom to sabras. It will be my turn to directly shape the next generation of Israel. What will I say when they ask about the Separation Barrier? What Continue Reading »