May 16 and 23, June 6 and 13: Pardes presents Rabbi Binyamin Lau at The Larry Roth z'l Memorial Lecture Series. Jewish Leadership in Challenging Times. May 16 and 23, June 6 and 13: Pardes presents Rabbi Binyamin Lau at The Larry Roth z'l Memorial Lecture Series. Jewish Leadership in Challenging Times. Click here to register today.

Omer Session 2012

April 23-May 24, 2012 / 1 Iyar-3 Sivan 5772

The Challenge of Modern Israel

To register and for more information email Alex Israel.

Jerusalem of Gold
Reuven Grodner

For 3,000 years, the city of Jerusalem has captured the hearts and minds of Jews throughout the world. Jerusalem has drawn its people to its bosom as a loving mother embraces her young.
This class will explore the history of Jerusalem from the days of King David to modern times. It will also provide insights of our Sages pertaining to the sanctity and centrality of Jerusalem in halachah and Jewish thought.

Jewish Government, War and the Messiah
Reuven Grodner

Maimonides, in his treatise “Kings and Their Wars”, touches upon many fundamental aspects of Jewish nationhood. He begins with the role of the king as teacher and warrior. He next touches upon the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael and the love displayed by our Sages for the land. Following that, he writes of war, rules of engagement, draft exemptions and draft dodgers. He finally devotes the last two chapters of his magnum opus to the Messiah and the Messianic era.

Israeli Literature: A Window into Israeli Society
Rachel Korazim

"Literature can be a mirror or a lamp - reflecting or shining a light on reality” Dr. Rachel Korazim, Internationally reknowned expert on teaching Israeli literature, and literature as a prism of and portal to Israelli society will give 4 classes on various aspects of Israeli society and its literature.

24 April - Reflections of the Holocaust

1 May - Biblical Motifs
8 May - Israeli Children's Literature
15 May - When Longings Meet Reality

Dilemmas of Ezra and Nehemia
Alex Israel

The Books of Ezra and Nehemia depict the return to Zion after the Babylonian exile. They describe the struggles of rebuilding the Temple, the rehabilitation of the city of Jerusalem, the reconstitution of the nation and its Judaism. We shall read selected segments of these fascinating books and identify parallel lines to contemporary challenges.

Israel and Justice - Navigating Jewish Law in the Jewish State
Yaffa Epstein

The tension between Religion and State provide some of the most critical issues facing the State of Israel today. Taught by a lawyer and Talmud scholar, this course will examine Talmudic texts, constitutional documents and legal rulings to give in-depth perspective to questions such as: Can the State of Israel be both Jewish and Democratic? Is there a place for Jewish Law in the Civil System? Who decides what a Jew is? Who should be able to marry in the year 2012? Come discuss these and more burning questions.

Thursday 11-12:45

Tour with Text

Tours: Shulie Mishkin
Lectures: Peta Pellach

Tour - May 3: The new city-Rehavia
Lecture - May 10: Tel Aviv and Jerusalem through the eyes of Bialik and Agnon
Lecture - May 17: Rav Kook's philosophy of Jews and non-Jews
Tour - May 24:"A Divided City?" Then ('48-67) and Now