Pardes News
American Students Visit Sudanese Refugees Working in Eilat
Pardes Institute Volunteers Run Program for Migrant Children
Jerusalem, Israel – June 28, 2007 (12 Tammuz) – A group of students from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem is traveling to Eilat today as part of an effort to provide programs for the children of Sudanese refugees whose parents are working in hotels. The Pardes students are taking the refugee children to the Chai Bar Animal Park outside Eilat, under the auspices of the relief organization “LaSova”, which puts together programs for refugee children whose parents are housed and working in hotels – until recently the children had no structured program while their parents worked
The trip to Eilat is an outgrowth of Pardes students’ ongoing activism on behalf of Sudanese refugees in Israel. Previous programs include informational workshops with a representative from “Hotline for Migrant Workers,” visiting Sudanese inmates in Maasiyahu Prison in Ramle, and a clothing drive.
“Volunteering is a great privilege and obligation. My learning at Pardes has reinforced the imperative to help those in need, those different from myself. I have been inspired by learning Torah in Pardes’ open and inclusive environment and now look forward to giving something back,” said Pardes Year Program student and high school teacher Jill Schwartz of Chicago, IL.
The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem offers men and women of all backgrounds the authentic study of classic Jewish texts in the rigorous, challenging and open environment of dynamic Beit Midrash Havruta partner learning. Pardes, founded in 1972, offers a Year Program for university graduates as well as Educators, Summer, Spiritual and Advanced Scholars learning programs. Pardes students who qualify receive support from the Jewish Agency for Israel’s MASA – The Gateway to Long-term Israel Programs initiative.