Lookstein.org – Experientializing the Text: An Invitation to Join
Posted on March 3, 2022
Written by Aviva Lauer (Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators) – Those of us reading this journal are a pretty self-selected group. We love studying Jewish text. We find meaning and value and personal relevance in the word of God, in the divinely inspired writings of our ancient leaders, and in the holy Continue Reading »
Times of Israel – Carry That Weight
Posted on March 2, 2022
Written by Rabbi Brent Spodek (PNA Faculty, Year ’00-’01) – The first and only time I tried to impress a girl by singing was when I was 15 years old. I had gone to the closing dance of my summer program with Franchesca, even though I really had a crush on Stacey. However, when the Continue Reading »
New York Times – Opinion | In the Jewish Tradition, the Words We Choose Matter
Posted on February 20, 2022
Written by Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt (Year ’99-’00) – Rabbi Holtzblatt is a co-senior rabbi at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C. The Torah begins with the world being created by words. “Let there be” is the recurring refrain. God names each item — Light. Day. Night. Darkness. Earth. Sea. Heaven. From this emerges the concept Continue Reading »
Jerusalem Post – This is How Jews Can Be a Light Unto the Nations
Posted on February 17, 2022
Written by Sherwin Pomerantz – The immediate past Chair of the Israel board, Sherwin discusses the recent public remarks made about race in America and what alternatives we have to improve the situation. What does that mean to us in today’s society? How can we Jews fulfill the mandate to be a light unto the nations Continue Reading »
Pardes Alumna Miriam Lorie Makes History with Rabbinical Appointment at UK Orthodox Community
Posted on February 6, 2022
Written by Simon Rocker of the Jewish Chronicle – Miriam Lorie (PCJE ’16-’17) makes history with rabbinical appointment at UK Orthodox community. She hopes her role as ‘rabbi in training’ at Borehamwood partnership minyan will have ‘positive ripples on the Jewish world’. An Orthodox community in Hertfordshire is making history as the first in the Continue Reading »
eJP – Retrospective of a Retired Pardes Board Chair
Posted on February 3, 2022
Written by Sherwin Pomerantz – As the immediate past Chair of the Israel board, Sherwin shares why serving Pardes was so meaningful and how Pardes is making a difference. What has impressed me about Pardes and seemingly, the motivating factor for everyone involved, is the incredible impact our graduates have had and continue to have, Continue Reading »
Mazel tov to Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler on winning the National Jewish Book Award in Modern Jewish Thought and Experience!
Posted on January 26, 2022
Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler (Pardes Alumna Summers ’03 and ’04) is a faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. She is also the Dean of Students and the Director of Spiritual Development at Yeshivat Maharat, where she teaches Hasidism and Pastoral Torah, and a faculty member at the Institute for Jewish Continue Reading »
Times of Israel – Colleyville: ‘It is burning, brothers, it is burning’
Posted on January 19, 2022
This blog for Times of Israel was written by past Israel Board Chair Sherwin Pomerantz – In February 2019, I was in Colleyville, Texas, at Beth Israel Congregation for the bat mitzvah celebration of the daughter of Charlie Cytron-Walker, the rabbi who was held hostage with his family this past Shabbat. His mother-in-law is my Continue Reading »
eJewishPhilanthropy – Shmitta and Organizational Change
Posted on January 6, 2022
Written by Pardes Alumna Elyssa Hurwitz (PCJE ’19-20) – What would it look like for employees to have individualized or intentionally chosen professional development every six months, with the purpose of supporting growth in the areas they need? How would it impact the retention of employees to offer bonuses or benefits of some kind at Continue Reading »
Jerusalem Post – Which Israel educator are you?
Posted on November 11, 2021
Written by Ilan Bloch (Community Education ’06-’07, ’15-’16, Year ’20-’21). This article was inspired by Pardes faculty member Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash. A tour guide or teacher might also have higher expectations of her students. She may embrace the Socratic method continuously, even when students are exhausted. Our Sages teach (Taanit 23a) that halfway through Continue Reading »