Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

Last week, Pardes North America faculty member Rabbi Jessica Minnen traveled to Cape Town to teach 110 Fellows from 27 different organizations the nuts and bolts of Mahloket Matters during their Momentum conference.

We are so honored to partner with such an incredible organization!

This Thursday join us for a free open to the public Mahloket Matters class exploring the question “Can Zionists and anti-Zionists Share the Same Tent? Should They?”

Join 400+ learners this week by signing up, here: https://www.coing.co/Pardes/146416

Momentum

Dear Pardes Community,

An eerie quiet has descended on Jerusalem this evening. A sense of uncertainty hangs in the air as we await the threatened strike of Iran and its proxies. In typical Israeli fashion, as a show of resilience, we have continued our routines – working, exercising, shopping, spending time with family and friends, and studying Torah. The corners of our living rooms may be filled with bottled water and canned food, but like most people here, we refuse to allow our enemies to define the shape of our days or to abandon the quotidian pleasures of life.

At Pardes, our second Summer Session is in its final days with 54 students of all ages from North America, Australia, England, France and the Netherlands. Even in the midst of these difficult days, our students are learning Torah together, reassuring one another, building friendships and strengthening their connection to Israel. All of them are embodying the Talmud’s maxim that “the students of Torah increase peace in the world” (Berachot 19a). The learning we do together, building community across different perspectives, is a source of hope – for the future of Jewish life and for the world.

We at Pardes are prepared for this moment. Our students have been briefed on how to respond to sirens, and our bomb shelter is ready. We remain committed to the year-long programs scheduled to begin in September and are working to ensure that the learning in our Beit Midrash continues uninterrupted.

As this Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av comes to a conclusion, may this month be one in which we embrace honesty and integrity, bringing to realization the prophecy of Zechariah (8:19), “Thus said God of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month shall become occasions for joy and gladness, happy festivals for the House of Judah; but you must love honesty and integrity.”

Wishing you all peace and besorot tovot (good tidings),

Rabbi Leon Morris
President, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

Leon Morris

We’re thrilled to share some good news!

Pardes’s beloved Director of Leadership Gifts, Jackie Frankel Yaacov and her husband Sagiv, welcomed a healthy baby girl today in Jerusalem. Proud papa Sagiv made it home from reserve duty just in time.

“May Am Yisrael grow in health, nachat and peace” shared Jackie.

Shabbat shalom and mazal tov from the Pardes family.

300 days.

It’s time today to do everything we can to Bring Hersh, and every hostages, home.

May this learning be in the merit of the safe return of every hostage.

Today’s learning is dedicated in memory of Joan Sara Brigham z”l, mother of Faith Brigham Leener, Pardes Chief Innovation Officer.

Check out this beautiful reflection from Pardes Summer Program Participant, Akhila Raju.

“This summer session was my first time learning at Pardes. When I signed up to be here this summer, I was at a point in my life where I was seeking deeper Jewish study and community with people who are also seeking similar spiritual growth and learning.

I was supposed to move Israel last October, and had to change plans due to the war. I was looking to be in Jerusalem and heal the pain from this past year and create more joy in relation to my Jewish identity. Pardes gave me the opportunity to go deep into Torah and Talmud study – I took a scribal arts class and learned how write on a klaf, taught by a sofer, uncovered hero journeys in the Torah, analyzed the 5 megillot, learned essential skills for Talmud study in Hebrew and Aramaic, discussed Jewish great thinkers including Heschel and Plaskow, celebrated Shabbat, practiced Jewish meditation, and sang a lot of songs. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I love learning full-time at Pardes and I realized that I want to deepen my knowledge and practice, and continue learning in Israel.

Pardes is very intentional in creating an inclusive learning environment that is accessible to people from all Jewish backgrounds and practices, and this can be felt from the faculty, staff, and students. I thoroughly enjoyed the summer session at Pardes and am continuing for the second session – and I’m already thinking about when I will study at Pardes again! Three weeks at Pardes was a perfect amount of time for me to gain the spiritual knowledge, growth, and healing I was looking for, the community of lovely people with similar values and goals, and a love for Jewish studies.”

Today's Day of Learning is sponsored by Pardes alumn Carole Daman (Year Program ’73-’74, Spirituality Retreat, PLS) in memory of her father Isidor Goldberg – Simcha Yisroel ben Shmuel z”l.

This Dvar Torah was written by Carole Daman in memory of her late father. https://theseandthose.pardes.org/2024/07/18/dvar-torah-on-parshat-pinchas-by-carole-daman/

May his memory be for a blessing.

Dvar Torah on Parshat Pinchas for Isidor Goldberg's 20th yahrzeit - These and Those This Dvar Torah was written by Carole Daman (Year Program ’73-’74, Spirituality Retreat, PLS) in memory of her late father, Isidor Goldberg z”l. Monday, July 22, 2024 will be a Pardes Day of Learning in his memory sponsored by Carole. This year the 20th yahrzeit of my father, Isidor Goldberg. ...

We are thrilled to announce that Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies has partnered with Brandeis University’s Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program! This collaboration offers our Pardes Experiential Educators Program (PEEP) students an incredible opportunity to gain expertise in strategic planning, nonprofit management, communications, and fundraising, and is a big step in our mission to support Jewish learning and nurture future leaders.

Collaborating with renowned universities like Brandeis helps us continue to inspire and equip the next generation of Jewish educators and leaders.

Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University

Can we really disagree constructively?

In this article by Yehudit Mazur-Shlomi (Mahloket Matters Fellow and Summer Program Alum), she explores the intricacies of constructive disagreement, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and empathy in our conversations.

“When we approach disagreement with curiosity and a willingness to understand, we open doors to deeper connections and solutions,” Mazur-Shlomi writes, reflecting on her experience in the Pardes Mahloket Matters Fellowship.

We’re hosting a free 3-part Mahloket Matters mini series with Rabba Shani Gross and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield on Israel Issues. Learn more about the series and sign up, here: Mahloket Matters Mini-Series: Israel Issues

Dive into this thought-provoking article and discover how we can transform our disagreements into opportunities for growth. Read the full Times of Israel article here:

Can we really disagree constructively? From the blog of Yehudit Mazur-Shlomi at The Times of Israel

Sunday night Summer Program students heard from Times of Israel journalist and Rabbi, Elhanan Miller, in a session called Hamas and Me. The Beit Midrash was full for an educational presentation about Hamas’ history and mission where Elhanan shared personal stories of interviews with Hamas officials. His talk sparked meaningful conversations among students in attendance about the war and each of our experiences with it.

Yesterday’s hike through Jerusalem’s Sataf forest was an absolute treat. Our guide Haim Shalom opened up a Tanach and brought the ancient text alive, sharing about historical agriculture. Hail helped us find and identify the 7 species and we explored why they were chosen to represent the land of Israel.

Shabbat shalom!

Mazal tovs are in order! Mazal tov to:

Pardes Faculty, Rahel Berkovits and David Eisental on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ami.

Anna Wolfe (PEEP '23) and Sam Langstein on the birth of a baby boy.

May joyful occasions increase among the people of Israel!

The Pardes Summer Program has begun! Over 40 new and veteran learners have gathered in the Beit Midrash for three weeks of intensive Torah learning, community building, volunteering, and Israel exploration.

“What are these texts challenging us to do? Who are they challenging us to be? And how can we begin to answer our deep questions together over the next 3 weeks? This is *your* Beit Midrash. Let’s do it!” shared Summer Program Director and Pardes Faculty, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield.

Students are already forming close friendships, exploring their questions in Havruta, and enjoying great local grub! It’s an honor to learn with one another for the summer of a lifetime.

Up next: our first Tiyul! Stay tuned in our stories for a peak inside our first big hike as a group.

Check out Pardes’s very own Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy who has been highlighted as the Jerusalemite of the week by The Jerusalem Post

Meesh, now the Rosh Beit Midrash of Pardes, dreamed of teaching at Pardes.

“I said to Rabbi Levi Lauer, then the director, that when I grow up, I want to teach at Pardes. He said, ‘Forget about it. Everyone wants to teach at Pardes – study something else.’ Boy, did I show him! It’s such a privilege. I can’t believe it’s happened to me. It’s such a dream come true.”

Read the full article, here:

Rabbi Meesh Hammer-Kossoy: Cultivating Pardes’s halachic studies Jerusalemite of the week: Rabbi Meesh Hammer-Kossoy in a senior role at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

Yesterday, Pardes Learning Seminar participants stepped out of the Beit Midrash to undertake the painful and powerful journey to the Gaza envelope.

During the visit, participants went to the Sderot police station, the Nova Music Festival, and other sites, honoring the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust took place.

A particularly poignant moment was learning about the heroes who sacrificed their lives on October 7th, including Aner Shapira who hid in the same shelter as his dear friend Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Faced with relentless attacks, Aner displayed remarkable bravery. Despite Hamas throwing seven gr***des at the bomb shelter where he and others were hiding, Aner heroically threw them back, losing his life to the eighth gr***de in an effort to save others.

One participant reflected, “We’ve seen the footage on the news, but seeing the destruction and the pain in real life is brutal.”

While the books and the magic of the Beit Midrash are central to who we are at Pardes, our learning is not confined to its walls. When we leave the Beit Midrash, we do so to pray with our feet, to bring the learnings of our texts and our community into the realities of the world. Yesterday we had the true honor to bear witness to the realities of October 7th. This holistic approach to Jewish learning enriches our learning and strengthens our resolve to support and uplift one another.

May Hersh Goldberg-Polin and every hostage return home safely.

Today's learning is sponsored by Melissa Werthan in honor of the entire Pardes faculty and staff.

We are halfway through this year’s Summer 2024 Pardes Learning Seminar, with nearly 70 amazing participants who have chosen to be here in Israel during this incredibly challenging periods for the Jewish people. We’ve had an incredible lineup of classes from our world-class faculty and inspiring guest speakers, including a keynote address from Haviv Rettig Gur. On Day 2, participants spent the morning volunteering with Tachlit, packing produce for over 1,500 Israeli families in need. Tomorrow, we’ll be heading to the Gaza Envelope to bear witness to the events of October 7th and experience the ways in which communities have begun to return and rebuild.

We deeply appreciate the Pardes community and how alumni have stepped up to support our work during these critical times. Your contribution is instrumental as we plan to accommodate the surge of students interested in the Pardes Year Program.

Support Pardes today, here: https://www.pardes.org.il/support/donate-now?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=sm&utm_campaign=general

Today is a special day of learning in memory of Arthur Fried z”l. Arthur z"l was a dear friend and partner who helped grow and bolster Pardes's work for Jewish educators and cared deeply for the future of the Jewish people.

“All of you are here for the transformative Torah and Jewish community. But your presence here now is also a profound act of solidarity with this nation and with the Jewish people,” shared Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris on the opening night of the Pardes Learning Seminar (PLS).

Every summer, PLS brings learners of all ages and backgrounds to Pardes for a week of exceptional meals, top speakers, and profound Jewish wisdom from Pardes faculty. This year, despite immense challenges faced by Israel and the Jewish people, we will welcome over 60 participants to the Beit Midrash this week!

It is an honor and a privilege to come together to study our sacred texts and uphold the tradition of learning from them and from one another.

Its never to early sign up for next summer: https://www.pardes.org.il/pardes-learning-seminar/

Today's learning is sponsored by Michael and Rebecca Gordon in memory of Michael's brother Christopher B. Gordon
חנן ברוק בן יחזקאל יעקב ז’’ל, אחי

Today's learning is endowed by the Kluger Family in memory of Aryeh Natanel Kluger ז״ל.

Aryeh Natanel z"l was an entrepreneur, voracious reader, award-winning software developer, talented piano student, and Lego inventor. He was known for his red hair, beaming smile, bravery, and concern for others. Aryeh deeply loved his family, his friends, and was deeply loved by all. He loved living in Israel. Despite world-class medical care, Aryeh died from a rare form of brain cancer on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. He was 12 years old, studying for his Bar Mitzvah. May his memory be for a blessing.

At the recent Hebrew Union College 2024/5784 Graduation and Ordination Ceremony, Pardes president Rabbi Leon Morris shared his groundbreaking vision for the future of Reform Judaism.

Leon emphasized balancing personal autonomy with deep Jewish commitment, and asked those newly ordained to consider both the promise and the peril of unlimited freedom.

Watch his full speech, here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=776543454589223

Pardes Assistant Director of Engagement, Rebecca Leeman, (Berkshires Alum Gesher ‘11) just wrapped up an incredible staff week at Ramah Berkshires! Rebecca led staff through an engaging session on “Constructive Disagreement Mindset in Jewish Tradition.” This training, inspired by Pardes’s Mahloket Matters curriculum, provided staffers with tangible tools to handle conflicts productively.

The impact was immediate—one Israeli staff member said it was the most beneficial session of the week! We are so honored to have been hosted by Ramah, and to have other Pardesniks working at Ramahs throughout North America this summer!

up next! Sefi Kraut can’t wait to learn with staff this Shabbat.

We at Pardes are proud of our enduring bond with Camp Ramah, highlighted by numerous fabulous Ramah alumni who become Pardesniks and uphold the shared values of both programs.

Join us in wishing a Mazal Tov to cohort four of the Jewish Studies In-Service Teacher Training (JSITT) fellows!

JSITT is a comprehensive 12-month program designed for Jewish studies teachers. Led by seasoned Jewish studies educators, JSITT provides pedagogical training for current teachers with strong subject expertise but lacking formal teacher training.

The program opens with our 4 week synchronous webinar Summer Pedagogy Intensive. During the intensive, teachers will develop core pedagogical tools, learn to cultivate a positive classroom culture, and prepare for the approaching school year. Participants have the option to join us virtually from anywhere in the world, or come to Jerusalem study in-person at the Pardes beit midrash, and join the intensive in the evening.

Throughout the school year, the professional development continues with a series of online webinars tailored for the Jewish studies teacher. These sessions delve into pedagogical insights and explore unique subjects such as havruta learning in the classroom, meaning mining with Jewish texts, and tefilah education.

Learn more about JSITT here: https://www.pardes.org.il/jewish-studies-in-service-teacher-training-program/

Mazal tovs are in order!

Mazal tov to:

Ali Zak (20’-22’ Year Program) and Gidi Rubin on their wedding!

Ilan Weismark (PTF/PEP ‘11-’13) on his recent marriage to Jamie Silverboard.

John (Israel Board) and Tabby Corre on the wedding of their grandson, Gidon Odes to Shira Weiss.

May joyful occasions increase among the people of Israel!

Shabbat shalom from us to you!

At Pardes, we’re in the final preparations for the Pardes Learning Seminar and the Summer Program.

In just a few weeks we’ll be welcoming new and veteran learners to our Beit Midrash in Jerusalem. We can’t wait to co-create an amazing learning community with you all.

Check out the one and only Miriam Anzovin’s review of “The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic” by Gila Fine!

Jewish Book Reactions: “The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic” Shalom friends! Welcome back to ! In which I talk about Gila Fine’s INCREDIBLE book “The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Wom...

We are thrilled to announce the fourth cohort of our Senior Educator Learning Fellowship (SELF)! This program supports congregational school directors and senior educational leaders with enriching professional development and an immersive cohort experience.

SELF kicks off in Jerusalem with a two-week, fully-subsidized intensive beit midrash experience, focusing on how deep exploration of texts can enhance our civil discourse. The journey continues back home with monthly webinars led by esteemed faculty and mentors from the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators.

Join us in wishing Mazal Tov to the fellows!

Learn more about SELF, here: https://www.pardes.org.il/SELF/?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=self24