Life At Pardes - Pardes Moments
A Rabbi's Pardes Story
Each person who comes to Pardes has a unique story and each of us is transformed by our experience in the Pardes community. As an invitation to Pardes I would like to share my story with you. I hope you will become a part of our community.
I am a Reform rabbi. I grew-up in the Reform movement, was active in NFTY and Union of Reform Judaism summer camps. I served as a congregational rabbi for 18 years on Long Island. I have chosen to take a year off to study at Pardes and live in Israel.
Why did I choose Pardes? Pardes offered an important step for my Jewish journey. URJ summer camps are called Institutes for Living Judaism. I always valued the feelings of community and acceptance of camp. I was introduced to Jewish study at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. We viewed classical Jewish texts through the eyes of the historian and scholar. I embraced learning Jewish philosophy and theology. The past five years I participated in an intensive Spirituality institute. I have practiced Jewish mediation and studied Hasidic texts.
My Jewish life is enriched by learning from people with many different beliefs. I was drawn to Pardes because I wanted to learn about Jewish sources and community life from the perspective of Halacha. Reform Judaism is based on informed personal decision. I saw study at Pardes a [m1] way to enhance my Jewish practice and deepen my relationship with God through this vision of Jewish learning. Pardes has touched me in ways both expected and unexpected.
Torah study has been one of the most moving experiences for me at Pardes. Based on the words of Pirke Avot, I believe that when 3Two people study Torah the Presence of God rests between them.2 I do not focus on where the Torah comes from. I view each word and letter as offering insights about life. I feel a powerful connection to God through this study.
Torah study at Pardes is done with a partner, called a Havruta. I enjoy hearing the words of Jewish texts through the voice of another and learning from their thoughts. This process offers me insights for life and makes me feel blessed with the touch of God. The entire community learns together with Havruta in the Beit Midrash. It is awe inspiring to sit in the Beit Midrash with 100 other people all engaged in this sacred dialogue. To me, this captures a part of the wonder which the Jewish people experienced at Mount Sinai.
The work of Havruta is reviewed in class with teachers. I have been especially inspired by the knowledge of the teachers. The unique gift of Pardes is connection with 2,000 years of Jewish learning. The focus of the classes is to understand the P'shat, direct meaning of the texts. The teachers help us find the connections to Jewish values and practice through the sources. The Pardes faculty members are some of the best teachers with whom I have learned.
It is also important to stress the supportive nature of the learning community. People come to Pardes with all levels of Jewish knowledge and experience. It can feel intimidating to be learning Hebrew and to be in the presence of more advanced students. Personally, I had not studied Talmud for 20 years when I started this year at Pardes. The faculty and entire student body are committed to Jewish learning. There is no embarrassment in asking for help or learning from a mistake. Everyone is supportive and encouraging. Pardes is accepting of people from all parts of the Jewish community. There is a feeling of excitement to learn from one another and shared commitment to Jewish learning.
Prayer at Pardes is also an especially rich experience. The community offers three choices for prayer, traditional, egalitarian, or none. I strive to attend Minchah, the afternoon service, daily and to go to Shacharit, the morning service at least once a week. I have developed greater fluency in Davening. I find that the regular experience of prayer and sharing prayer with a community has opened by heart in new ways to God.
The sacred nature of Pardes is manifest by the way ideal of Hesed pervades the community and actualizes the values of Torah. I have greatly learned this year from the daily acts of caring. There is a special gift in the efforts each week to make sure everyone has a place to go for meals for Shabbat the support in the community when a bombing or tragedy has occurred and the feeling of joy as we dance when a couple becomes engaged. The community as a whole also has deep commitment for doing acts of kindness for the larger community of Israel. People are involved in a myriad of service projects from helping new immigrants to tutoring children in English. Everyone feels a calling to make the values of Torah live through Hesed.
Pirke Avot offers the words, 3Who is wise, one who learns from everyone.2 Pardes offers a marvelous opportunity to learn about Judaism through the classical style of Yeshivah learning. We grow through the insights of Jewish sages, the insights of Pardes teachers and sharing with one another. Coming from the Reform tradition I have gained knowledge, experience and love with which to enhance my religious practice, add meaning to my life and affirm my relationship with the Divine. I am blessed to be a part of the Pardes community.
Darryl C.
New Haven, Connecticut
University of Maryland
Pardes Year Program 03