Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on January 12, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
By Mira B. Shore (Summer ’09, ’10; Year ’12) As a self-identified progressive, liberal, secular Jew growing up at Jewish Day School, I spent a lot of my time and energy speaking about why prayer and G-d were NOT a part of my life. I actively ran from prayer. Once I had my bat-mitzvah, there Continue Reading »
Posted on May 17, 2012 by Ma'ayan Dyer
As most of my fellow Pardesnicks have probably gathered at this late date in the semester, I’m what one might call “quiet.” It’s not that I don’t speak up in class or won’t engage in conversation (if you strike one up first, of course). Rather, my quietness is an overall demeanor. I’m not a smiley Continue Reading »
Posted on April 8, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
The Passover seder was last night, but these two podcasts from last week are still worth checking out: Does it Matter How we Eat the Matza on Seder Night? Preparing for the Moment – by Tovah Leah Nachmani 5772 — Pesach: Slavery and Freedom – by Rav Meir Schweiger
Posted on February 20, 2012 by Mira
The shift from first semester to second semester started during our week off when half of Pardes went on a tiyul to the Arava desert. I’m not a hiking fan, but I love the desert in Israel and have always felt connected to it. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to reflect on my Continue Reading »
Posted on January 30, 2012 by Andrea Wiese
Tovah Leah, my teacher for Personalizing Prayer, and Relationships class, cites Rav Kook nearly everyday! I finally realized that I loved almost every quote that she brought from him. So last week I bought a book that compiles Rav Kook’s thoughts on the Parshiot, the weekly Torah portions. Abraham Isaac Kook (1865–1935) was the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of the Continue Reading »
Posted on January 7, 2012 by Andrea Wiese
All week I had been excited to spend my Shabbat in the “Gush” with two of my teachers. They always have students in their homes for Shabbat, and the anticipation had been building since I heard about other students wonderful experiences. We (Hannah, Yishai, and Amber) left Jerusalem around 1:30, which was way too early, Continue Reading »
Posted on December 28, 2011 by The Director of Digital Media
Many students have been lucky enough to study with Tovah Leah Nachmani – her ‘Personalizing Prayer’ class is a favorite for students seeking to connect to Jewish tradition in a meaningful, personal way, and we appreciate her for being such an incredibly deep listener. Below is a dvar Torah she recently wrote, with a bonus Continue Reading »
Posted on December 24, 2011 by Derek Kwait
(X-posted from my home blog, Yinzer in Yerushalayim) Nearly all of Pardes went to Hevron in the West Bank Sunday. It spent the rest of the week needing therapy. I think I faired better than most, however, because I went into it knowing what to expect and I got it in spades: It is by Continue Reading »
Posted on October 9, 2011 by Soffer
Originally posted on Darkeynu דרכינו: וברכה שלום, Throughout my year in Israel, I will use this blog to share what I study in the classroom, and to describe what I observe on the streets; I will discuss not only the Torah that I learn, but also the Torah that I live. I hope that in Continue Reading »
Posted on March 10, 2011 by David Bogomolny
Austin (Spring ’11) had planned to begin his university studies at Reed College this year, but then he learned of Where There Be Dragons (WTBD). Before graduating high school in 2010, Austin had led a fairly predictable life. He grew up in San Diego, attending temple services on Friday evenings before having family Shabbat dinner. As a child, he Continue Reading »
