I came to Pardes because Jewish texts and traditional practices felt inaccessible to me for a long time, like a world of meaning tucked behind a pane of glass. I chose to learn at Pardes because I know some alums who raved to me about it, and because I wanted to be around learners who practice Judaism in diverse ways. I had no idea what to expect. Over the last six months, I’ve been so moved by the community here–how caring and supportive the teachers are, how my peers deliver soup to each other as we inevitably catch colds in this close-knit environment, how we hold space for each other to be who we are and share our unique ways of being. People are so encouraging and helpful that I feel safe taking risks in my learning. I’ve taken on leadership roles that I could not have imagined doing a few months ago, like chanting Torah and leading Kabbalat Shabbat. I’m so grateful and feel like I can’t possibly give back enough to this place. Here’s a little poem tribute to Pardes:
One by one
boi veshalom
detached Hebrew phrases
or zarua
floating in my mind
lehadlik ner
elucidate and connect
u’vlekhtekha vaderech
like constellations
bashamayim u’va’aretz
in an expanding cosmos
ma’aseh bereishit
of Jewish knowledge
shamor vezachor bedibur echad.
I’m very excited about being alive, diving into texts, singing nigunim, and working with youth! I’ve taught in many settings, from an ESL program in Alaska to the farm at Eden Village Camp. After graduating from Oberlin in 2014, I moved back home to NYC for the Avodah Jewish Service Corps. There, I co-facilitated a support group for new members at Footsteps, an organization for people who grew up Chareidi and are exploring their own derech (path). Outside Pardes, I help lead the English club at Hillel, Footsteps’ sister organization in Jerusalem. I hope to serve as a rabbi in the future.
