Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on May 5, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes
From my blog: This poem is inspired by one of my wonderful friends. Born from a Lightning Bolt You were born from a lightning bolt. Your life unfolds in storm: violent here, crashing there, silent now as you wait for the flood. Your sharp hair whips at your chin and the gold in your ears Continue Reading »
Posted on May 4, 2013 by Sam Kaye
I’m leaving for Israel and my father hands me two bags. “Take these with you. The furrier, Shlomo, your great grandmother’s brother-in-law, left them to me. Find out if it’s meaningful for you.” The first is black felt, light to the touch, with a golden Magen David embroidered in cord on its front. The Tallit Continue Reading »
Posted on April 21, 2013 by Tadea Klein
We have built Temples of our bodies, dear Built them in sweat and groaning In the saliva that collects in your mouth when pushed too hard The dryness in your throat when pushed too far The burn of muscles over-used And the shaking relief when we fall, exhausted, in sprawled heaps of splayed-out limbs Only Continue Reading »
Posted on April 14, 2013 by Abayiss
Tonight is the night. No, I am not OK. No, you can not help. No, you do not understand. No, I am not alone. Tonight is the night I dread all year. All the ghosts that have been pushed into the shadows (with the exception of the occasional visit) come out. Tonight is their Continue Reading »
Posted on April 12, 2013 by Mary Brett Koplen
Things You Can Make With Leftover Matzoh: Matzoh Brei, Matzoh Cookies, Matzoh Balls, Matzoh Stories.
Posted on April 8, 2013 by Laurie Franklin
I am the desert sand: Hot sand of mid-day, Cold sand of clear night. Feet press into me, And speak a language I understand. I feel the joy of dancing, the resolute march of armies, The fluttering of small children at play. Always, always footprints press Then blow away. Each grain of my sand seeds Continue Reading »
Posted on April 1, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes
From my blog: Ten Characteristics of a Good Pigeon Handler: The pigeon handler is moderate in his disposition. A reckless pigeon handler frightens the pigeons. The pigeon handler is loyal and responsible and carries out his tasks in an orderly and punctual fashion. The pigeon handler is kindhearted and cares for each and every pigeon. Continue Reading »
Posted on March 26, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Chaya Kaplan-Lester (Year ’97-’98) shares this beautiful Passover insight: Why are there so many 4’s in the seder? First, dimensionality. You take a point, it has no dimension to it. You add another point and you have a line, the dimension of length. You add a 3rd point and you get length and height. But Continue Reading »
Posted on March 23, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Alum Daniel Shibley (Yr. ’11, Fellows ’12) writes about his official beginning of being drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in the context of Parshat Tzav: With great power comes great responsibility. Now that the Tabernacle has been completed and we have received the instructions on how to make the appropriate offerings, the next piece Continue Reading »
Posted on March 22, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Amber Ikeman (Year ’12) reflects upon how we can relate to Passover if we don’t believe in the story of the Haggadah: I often find myself questioning (shocker!) whether the stories in the Torah actually happened. Don’t you? I mean, it’s a really nice idea to think that thousands of years ago, maybe before humankind Continue Reading »
