Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on April 27, 2012 by Soffer
Originally posted at my blog: What an exciting time it is in the Jewish calendar! In the span of just three weeks Jews throughout the globe have reaffirmed our freedom with the holiday of Pesah, we have celebrated renewal Rosh Hodesh Iyar, and we danced through the streets of Yerushalayim on Yom Haaztmaut, as we Continue Reading »
Posted on April 23, 2012 by Laura H.
Being in Israel has taught me how to prepare. No, not how to properly pack bags, or take provisions for a hike – both of which are useful skills in this country, but how to prepare mentally. I noticed this immediately when I arrived. Pardes began as the month of Elul started, a time when Continue Reading »
Posted on April 22, 2012 by Derek Kwait
This is the time of year for family. Last week, when Shabbat directly followed the last day of Pesach, creating a rare 8-day Passover in Israel, Friday afternoon, I was kindly invited over the home of a local family. The Mr. and the Mrs. were born in America, but each have been here for well Continue Reading »
Posted on April 19, 2012 by Derek Kwait
I had no relatives in the Holocaust, but I did have “Uncle” Bob Mendler. Uncle Bob’s family was my Mom’s family’s best friends in her native Latrobe, PA’s tiny Jewish community, and his wife was a cousin of my Grandmother on my father’s side. As the video documents, he used to lecture on his experiences in Continue Reading »
Posted on April 19, 2012 by Barer
Andrew Lustig’s latest poem, performed in Pardes in honor of Yom HaShoah
Posted on April 17, 2012 by Reka Eszter
Dear All, Coming from a country and family shocked by the Holocaust for all time, I thought that I would share with you one of the poems that was most emotional for me on this topic. János Pilinszky was one of the greatest poets of 20th century Hungarian literature. He was born in 1921 and Continue Reading »
Posted on June 6, 2011 by Zach
Earlier this week, I was talking with a friend who works for an American company, and she mentioned that she had a day off. I was confused for a minute, since she works all the time. Then she reminded me that it was Memorial Day in the US. Having just recently witnessed the the big Continue Reading »
Posted on May 19, 2011 by Aviva P.
In addition to some poems (1, 2) that we wrote after our ’10-’11 Pardes Poland trip, we also selected some poetry to share during our group’s commemorative ceremonies in Poland. We shared these with the rest of Pardes on Yom HaShoah. Then They Came for Me, Martin Niemöller Dead Men Don’t Praise God, Jacob Glatstein The Trees are Continue Reading »
Posted on May 18, 2011 by Shibley
The time between Pesach and Shavuot is marked in Israel with four modern holidays. Yom Hashoa, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut, and Yom Yerushalayim. Colloquially, this time of year is called y’mei yamim. The days of days. It has been an incredible experience to watch Israel move from Pesach into these modern celebrations. Israeli flags adorn Continue Reading »
Posted on May 9, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I feel very privileged to write to you today after my first week back at Pardes. On numerous occasions this week, I have been reminded of the incredible blessing to learn Torah full time, from such dedicated and wise teachers and classmates, and of course, in my beloved Jerusalem. And yet, this week Continue Reading »