Study Bible, Talmud and Jewish Thought in Jerusalem for a few weeks or more; earn a Master of Jewish Education.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFpardes c 224(photo credit: Courtesy)"My summer at Pardes introduced me to life-long friends"
I first came to Pardes for a summer session after graduating college. I began to delve into studying the laws of Shabbat, women and mitzvot, Bible and Mishna, which uncovered a yearning inside of me to learn more about my Jewish heritage and traditional practice.
I left Jerusalem that summer knowing not when I would return to Pardes or to my newfound skills of learning traditional texts, but I always held my experiences deep within my heart. My one summer at Pardes introduced me to life-long friends, one who, within a few months of returning to Boston, introduced me to my husband over a Shabbat meal. But more importantly, my one summer at Pardes awakened in me the desire to learn more.
Pardes Dean David Bernstein told a room overflowing with new faces to look around the room at all of the books in the Beit Midrash. He told us that these books were our heritage, our traditions and regardless of our denomination, our level of observance or our upbringing, these books, these codes, belonged to each and every Jew.
It is that moment that I carried with me every day when I entered the door at Pardes, my little non-coercive environment in the holiest city in the world. Whenever I was overwhelmed with Hebrew grammar or frustrated, when I did not understand the complex commentaries of Rashi, I reached inside my pocket and pulled out my Get Out of Jail Free Card and remembered to give myself the time and patience to begin anew. I am simply a Jew, walking humbly inside the walls of this sacred school, retracing the footsteps of my people and once again I have come home.
- JL, Boston, Massachusetts"There are questions I might never be able to answer, but that's OK"
After my summer session at Pardes, I feel comfortable in my Jewish skin, something I didn't feel before. Pardes was really the greatest gift I could have: a forum for asking questions, discussing answers, agreeing and disagreeing, as a sign of commitment to Jewish tradition and religion. Suddenly it was not only OK, but something we all did. Hurray! and of course, the best part: my own faith got so much stronger.
I now feel at peace with myself, the revelation of accepting that there are questions I might never be able to answer and there are answers I'll never like, but that's OK - and plenty of other people feel the same way. So, it is truly amazing to be able to relax now (not afraid that unanswered problems will knock me over) and just keep learning and growing in my own way!
- KH, Copenhagen, DenmarkJoin us for one or more Summer Learning sessions of dynamic text study. Find out more!The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
Pardes in Jerusalem offers a variety of educational Israel programs at all levels in an open environment. We welcome students of all Jewish backgrounds and belief systems, including Jews who are unaffiliated, Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and post-denominational.
Join our Year, Summer, Educators,Advanced,Executive, or Ulpan Programs for in-depth learning from beginner to advanced levels. Our academic-year programs are open to college and university graduates. Summer and Winter programs are open to students who have completed one year of college. Programs for synagogue groups, evening lectures and Continuing Education and day-trip Tour with Text programs are open to everyone.
Pardes Educators Program
The Pardes Educators Program, a highly subsidized two-year program in Jerusalem, with advanced studies in Jewish text and education, prepares its graduates to teach in North American Jewish day schools. While studying in Israel, students in the Pardes Educators Program may simultaneously pursue a Master of Jewish Education from the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education of Hebrew College.
Pardes Educators receive $1,100 per month for the first year of the program and $1,200 per month for the second year of the program for living expenses, tuition assistance and airfare to North America for teaching internships each spring.
This is a sponsored article. The article should not be considered as advice.
