Summer '16
“I came to Pardes because I have always been connected to Judaism, but for the last couple of years plus, there has been a kind of disconnect. Not like a major disconnect, but I was “that Jew” that went to shul on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, if I had to, on Shabbat, but there has always been a part of me that was missing, and I knew it, but I just didn’t do anything about it. So, it started slowly at my shul with this service, Kabbalat Shabbat, which has always been my favorite, ever since I was little–I just sing the tunes on regular days, I just love it–so I started going there Friday night, and growing up, a big part of me growing up was a sense of community and I found it again. So that was a pathway to learning more. I grew up Modern Orthodox and I went to Jewish Day School my whole life, so I think I took advantage of that and I didn’t really pursue it after high school…then my brother was in a really bad car accident a few years ago, and there was a real struggle within me. I kept saying, “Thank God he’s okay,” and I kept saying “Thank God, why am I saying ‘thank God’? You’re angry.” And I realized that I’ve always had faith in God, and when it happened, all of my different communities came together, and it was truly unbelievable. Everyone was praying, and emailing, and Facebook messaging and getting in touch. And the prayers we felt, even when we didn’t know it was happening. My friend texted me that she was praying for this kid and was like, “I had no idea it was your brother.” So that really got me thinking and re-evaluating. A lot of people told me that I could connect at Pardes. And the learning and atmosphere, and the choice to make the commitment to do something was really fantastic. The choices of classes were fantastic. I’m still coming back for the second session because I finally got what I was craving, and I just need more.”
Dassi Bass, Los Angeles, California
Pre-school Teacher