Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
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 »
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 »
Posted on August 15, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
Becca Bubis (PEP 2009-11) is starting her third year of teaching in the upper school at Tarbut v’Torah, in Orange County, CA. Twelve years ago I shuddered at the thought of standing on the bimah and delivering an address on Parashat Ki Tavo to two hundred and fifty people about a topic with which they Continue Reading »
Posted on May 16, 2013 by Laurie Franklin
One An outlander arrives in J-town. Not my first time and G!d-willing, not my last. In a newish role: student, not teacher! The book is open. Minus one Disequilibrium: distance from home and life partner, Jitters, does anyone understand who I am? Do I understand who I am In this novel circumstance?
Posted on March 15, 2013 by Lauren Schuchart
In this week’s Torah portion, we move from the exciting and relatable narrative in the books of Bereshit (Genesis) and Shmot (Exodus), into the legalistic and methodical book of Vayikra (Leviticus). In the first Torah portion, God tells Moses how the Children of Israel should go about establishing a holy community, a “kingdom of priests.” Continue Reading »
Posted on January 30, 2013 by Derek Kwait
Originally hailing from Boston, Marty Flashner has a wife and three kids, a law degree, an MBA, and worked for almost thirty-three years with Ernst & Young, one of the largest professional service firms in the world, including running the firm’s tax practice in Connecticut for the last ten years. Yet, for all this career Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on November 16, 2012 by Derek Kwait
My current ‘stache ranks somewhere between the late Walter Cronkite and (l’havdil) John Stossel: SUPPORT THE CAUSE!!!
Posted on October 2, 2012 by Lauren Schuchart
(Cross-posted from my blog) The morning before Yom Kippur began, I was on a mission to buy food for the “break fast” (specifically borekas and other assorted fattening pastries). The streets were pretty crowded as it seemed everyone had a last-minute mind like myself. I walked past a woman who was holding a bag full Continue Reading »
Posted on August 26, 2012 by Derek Kwait
This week was my last back at my shul Young People’s Synagogue, which last year, raised around $7,000 to send me to Pardes for a year. Yesterday, I delivered this speech to let them know how their investment turned out. So, how have you all been? For those who don’t know, from September through the Continue Reading »
