29 Pierre Koenig Street, Jerusalem
Pardes is located on the border of the residential Baka neighborhood and the Talpiot commercial district. We are on the corner of Pierre Koenig and Rivka Street. There is a large sign on the building from the Pierre Koenig side with the Pardes logo. The entrance to the building is on the side of Rivka Street. It is the first entrance on the right. Pardes is on the third floor. Click here for a map and directions.
Absolutely! The best way to experience what it is like to study at Pardes is to visit and try out our classes. By joining us for classes, you can meet our teachers and our students and get to know the Pardes community. We ask that you let us know in advance when you would like to visit so that we can facilitate a smooth and positive experience and let faculty know to expect you. Email a member of the recruitment team at visits@pardes.org.il who can set up your visit. Click here for the Year Program Schedule, and click here for the Summer Program Schedule.
Yes. You are welcome to join us for special events, such as evening classes, lectures, book signings, and holiday programming offered throughout the year. Click here for a calendar of upcoming events or click here to be added to our mailing list.
Yes. Pardes faculty travel to teach in many cities around the world. Click here for the latest events in your area. You can also arrange to meet with a faculty member while she/he is in your area. Email visits@pardes.org.il to inquire.
You can meet with a member of the recruitment team or arrange to speak to an alumna/us to ask about her/his personal experience studying at Pardes and living in Jerusalem. Email haley@pardes.org if you are in North America, and carmella@pardes.org.il if you are in Israel or the rest of the world.
A year at Pardes goes by very quickly, and there is so much to learn. Most students find that immersing themselves in Pardes classes, trips, lectures, and special events provides a more holistic experience. Classes and activities complement each other to build upon your learning. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to study full-time for a full year. However, part-time and hourly study is possible for students with other commitments.
Students often experience tremendous personal growth while studying at Pardes. While you are in Israel, you are challenged to grow in many ways: learning a new culture, adapting to a new environment, meeting new people, learning a new language, and engaging in tradition, history, religion and spirituality in new ways.
Often described not as a “a year off,” but rather as “a year on,” studying at Pardes and living in Israel challenges you to look at the world, religion, politics and geography in more nuanced ways. The first-hand, up-close experience you gain cannot be matched by university or job experience.
Pardes is a place where students are empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to take ownership of their Jewish heritage. Learning about your place in the history and tradition of Israel is an education all its own. The self-discovery and affirmation of values that comes with Torah study helps to define one’s personal path.
Studying at Pardes increases your knowledge and understanding of the world, which makes you stand out against the competition. At Pardes, you will exercise critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills, which are highly sought after in the workplace.
You will also expand your network through the close personal relationships you build with your peers and your teachers. You benefit from joining the strong and influential Pardes alumni network, which represents the next generation of leadership in an array of professions.
If you work, or plan to work, in Jewish communal service, either as a lay leader or as a professional, Jewish literacy is an invaluable part of your job. The Jewish studies skills you acquire at Pardes give you an advantage in your field. You will leave Pardes more familiar with the texts and traditions that serve as the foundation for the work you do.
Including Pardes on your resume falls into two major career categories: Jewish professional positions and non-Jewish professional positions.
For Jewish professionals, Pardes is often a gateway into the Jewish professional world. One quarter of our alumni go on to be Jewish professionals, whether they intended to go in that direction when they came to Pardes or whether they were inspired to do so during their time at Pardes.
With so many alumni working in the field, and with Pardes so highly regarded, those seeking Jewish professional jobs or university/graduate educations have the advantage of having studied at Pardes. They also have the advantage of a strong and committed alumni network. Fellow alumni often act as mentors and references for their peers. They are often the people running the organizations and hiring new people.
The majority of our students go into fields not related to Jewish communal service. Employers and universities like to see that their employees/students are well-rounded, diverse and well-traveled. A year abroad shows independence, insight into other cultures and adaptability.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “People who have international experience or identify with more than one nationality are better problem solvers and display more creativity.”
Students often list their time at Pardes as “international studies,” and they can boast having lived in the Middle East and Hebrew language skills.
According to an Australian study of oversees programs:
Many employers said that undertaking an international study experience shows an individual has drive, initiative and the ability to adapt to change and uncertainty, attributes that make a candidate stand out. While the technical skills you gain at an international institution are appealing to Australian businesses, it is the ‘soft’ skills you acquire that are most sought after. Being an effective communicator, demonstrating cross-cultural understanding and leadership skills are important in many industries. Company executives said that, in their experience young people who have been exposed to different cultures and ways of thinking have a greater capacity to innovate and deal with change.