These and Those

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

Tag Archives: social action projects

[Alumni Guest Post] PS: Story Time (1)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Hannah Joy

From my blog: I’ve been back for almost two weeks now, and I already miss everything: the Hebrew, Egged bus drivers, taxi drivers, “shabbat shaloms” from cashiers, always available shwarma, everything about Pardes, and so much more. Though I must say, I have never so appreciated the orderly lines and hassle-free grocery shopping at Shoppers Continue Reading »

Volunteering & “La’asok b’Divrei Torah”

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Deborah Renert

Every morning when we recite Birchat haTorah we say “Blessed are You, HaShem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us “la’asok b’divrei Torah.” It has always struck me that this blessing could have utilized clearer wording if it were meant to refer specifically to studying Continue Reading »

Ezrat Avot: the Gala Dinner Fundraiser

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Yisrael Ben Avraham

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. In this case, the the offer was to fork over a sizable amount of cash to raise money for Ezrat Avot’s new building and in return get a 6 course meal prepared by a posse of Michelin star chefs. Ezrat Avot was started by Rabbi Shlomo Gamliel z”l Continue Reading »

Learning from the Teens at Crossroads Jerusalem

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Sydni Adler

A few weeks ago, Meira was listening to a riddle, when the teenager sitting next to her said, “This makes my head hurt. See, this is why I don’t think about God.” Every Tuesday night, Meira spends her time volunteering with an insightful, passionate group of teenagers at Crossroads, a non-profit organization that helps English-speaking Continue Reading »

Creating Community with the Domari Gypsy Society

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Sydni Adler

Every Thursday afternoon, Misha volunteers for the Domari Gypsy Society, a non-profit organization that operates out of the Shu’fat neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Domari Gypsies have been living in the Middle East for centuries, and the Jerusalem Domari Gypsy community has been present for over a hundred years. Although Domari Gypsies speak Arabic and practice Continue Reading »

KEEPing Israeli Kids on Track to Succeed

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Sydni Adler

In Israel, universities and many jobs require their applicants to be fluent in English. Unfortunately, many low-income children struggle with English acquisition as a result of lack of personal attention in school and family life. Every year, several Pardes students volunteer with KEEP (Kol HaNeshama’s English Enrichment Program), a program to help 4th-6th graders from Continue Reading »

Animal Justice as Social Justice – Reflections on the JSPCA

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Sydni Adler

All pictures are taken from JSPCA’s website. For the past nine months that I have been in Jerusalem, I have spent the majority of my Fridays volunteering at the Jerusalem Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA). The JSCPA is the largest animal shelter in Jerusalem, holding up to 200 dogs and 150 Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Alumni Focus: Rachel Meiner

Posted on March 18, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Rachel Meiner (PEP ’06-’08) teaches 2nd and 3rd grade JudaicStudies (Chumash, Yahadut, and Tefillah) at The Hannah SeneshCommunity Day School in Brooklyn, NY. She lives two blocksfrom school with her husband and four month old daughter,Neomi. I returned to teaching three weeks ago after being on maternity leave for the past three months. If I Continue Reading »

Jerusalem: Pulled to a Place

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Shanee Michaelson

During the summer of 2011, I was a recovering attorney who had just completed a year teaching in Jewish early childhood education. I felt a calling towards deepening my own formal Jewish education and learned at Pardes for 3 weeks. I was exposed to the tip of an iceberg of knowledge of every imaginable sort. Continue Reading »

O-bla-di, O-bla-da

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart

Originally posted on my blog: (from yesterday) Today is Thanksgiving! After the last few days, I am even more grateful for all of the blessings that I have in my life. With thanks to God for FAMILY (and Skype technology), amazing FRIENDS near and far, a wonderful and supportive community here in Israel, a hope Continue Reading »