These and Those

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

Tag Archives: security / insecurity

I’ve been saying Watermelon a lot.

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Rachel Dingman

I don’t formally blog, but I did spend some time reflecting on something I shared at our 2014 Pardes Summer Program Tish. Here are my reflections: At a dinner at Yaffa’s house she made the joke “sing along if you know the words, if you don’t just say Watermelon”. Needless to say, I said watermelon Continue Reading »

A Reflection Of Time At Pardes

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Joanne Pollack-Reed

It was a gigantic leap of faith to apply and attend Pardes this summer. Forefront in my mind was if I, a 51 yr old – out of school forever- mom would be able to keep up. Would I be that student that clearly did not belong? My fears were put firmly to rest at Continue Reading »

Just a few words…

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Dara Rosenblatt

From my blog, written before Shabbat: As I enter my last Shabbat in Jerusalem before returning back to the United States on Monday, I find myself thinking and reflecting on the past two months in my life. It was with great intention that I chose to come to Israel this summer, for personal, spiritual, and Continue Reading »

Separation

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenn Mager

I am an incoming Pardes student, spending this summer in Israel, and blogging about my experiences. This post is from my blog: By the end of last week, I needed a separation from “Breaking News”, Facebook, and political discussion. I’ve seen too many photos and cartoons expressing anger, violence, revenge, hatred, a side of human Continue Reading »

A word on events unfolding in Israel

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Lisa Hoelle

From our blog: Although we are still catching up on our blog posts from the whirlwind of the first few weeks of our stay here in Israel, I wanted to jump for a moment to the present and speak about the current tensions happening around us. First, I want to assure everyone that Lisa and Continue Reading »

Supported and Safe

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Joseph Levin-Manning

Hi! I’m Joe, currently a Hillel professional from Baltimore, Maryland. I initially came to Pardes this summer partly because I was told that it would be a truly rewarding experience and because I felt that I need to study some Jewish text in a “formal way”. What I have experienced so far at Pardes has Continue Reading »

Dear incoming Pardes students

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Elana Shilling

Dear incoming Pardes students nervously biting your fingernails while watching rockets fly on their TV screens, I won’t lie. Israel is at war. Rockets are terrorizing the country and ground troops are waiting for the okay to enter Gaza. It’s a tense time for Israel. That being said, this morning I woke up to my Continue Reading »

To the incoming Pardes student

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Rachel Bikofsky

To the incoming Pardes student who’s watching the news and feeling anxious, I know how it is. You’re reading the headlines about everything going on in Israel and you’re thinking, “Wait, am I sure I want to go over there?” Allow me to be the voice that speaks insistently in your ear and says, “Yes, Continue Reading »

The Country where Christmas Wasn’t

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: On Tuesday night, I went to Bethlehem. Growing up in America, all I saw of Christmas were signs reading “Buy One get One FREE” and “Sale: 70% mark down! 5-7am only!!” All I saw was consumerism and a huge traffic jam outside of the church. But this year I’m in the Middle Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Where in our lives do we look for “magic”?

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Carolyn Gerecht

As Parshat Shemot closes, it’s not looking good for the Israelites. Petitioned by Aharon and Moshe, Pharaoh not only refuses their (botched) request to free the Israelites from slavery – he also adds to their misery by demanding that they now gather the straw that they need themselves while still maintaining the same pace (Shemot Continue Reading »