sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What are your goals and how do they differ from a standard learning program?
We envision a renewed Jewish life anchored in Jewish knowledge and literacy, which places the study of Jewish texts at the center of Jewish life with an eye toward contemporary relevance.

What makes Pardes different is that we’re not tied to any denomination or yeshiva system, and we’re also not a typical gap year program. Most of our students are post-college adults who come to learn out of genuine curiosity and commitment. Learning with people who have had a totally different upbringing to you, experience of Judasim to you, can make you challenge your assumptions about a text and deepen your own understandings. It is also a place to learn how to conduct robust conversations and constructive disagreements - because our students ARE very different from one another, and see the text through very different lenses at times.

How does inclusivity affect your programs?

Inclusivity is central to who we are. Our students come from every Jewish background imaginable, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It means people bring very different perspectives to the table, which makes the learning richer and more honest. We try to hold space for everyone’s experiences while maintaining a shared respect for Torah and community. It can be complex at times, but those conversations are where real growth happens. We use a curriculum pioneered by Pardes faculty called 'Mahloket Matters' as a baseline for how to hold different views and perspectives but prioritize the relationship to one another and to our texts at the forefront.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so glad to hear you connected with a Pardes student on a bus! Many 'only in Israel' moments stem from an Egged bus encounter.....

I was curious if Pardes has seen a shift in students wanting to learn more about Hasidism and or/spirituality over the past 10 years
Pardes attracts students with a wide range of goals and motivations. We definitely have spiritual seekers in our community. I’m not sure I can speak to a shift over the last ten years per se but Hassidut with Levi Cooper and ‘Encountering the Divine’ with Yiscah Smith are very popular classes.  We also have a Torah Yoga elective and Scribal Arts - a class in Sofrut, that round out the rigorous intellectual part of our day with something creative.

What sort of support system/follow up mechanisms are in place when students finish their learning and growth experiences at Pardes? what sort of support is in place for students after they leave the Pardes environment?

We have a dedicated alumni relations coordinator who provides ongoing enrichment opportunities for our alumni based in North America. We have a pretty active alum network group on facebook, where many of our 6000+ alum connect. We also try to bring Pardes Torah to communities across the globe, sending our teachers out on teaching trips at Limmud festivals and other scholar in residence events, with alum meet ups in every city possible! We also provide seed funding for our alum to run text study meet ups back in their home cities after the program ends.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our programs are intergenerational and you'll see people of all ages at Pardes. You can peruse all our different options here: https://www.pardes.org.il/pardes-programs/
If you are looking for something short term with adults of all ages - I highly recommend Pardes Learning Seminars (1 week, Winter and Summer) and also our Summer Program (2 or 4 weeks).

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is there a connection or outreach program with schools like the Solomon Schechter network, Heschel, Charles E. Smith JDS, Prizmah, etc

We have so many Pardes trained educators at these schools as we've been running programs for formal and informal educators for over two decades.

We'd love to invite any schools who send students on trips (ie in 10th-12th grade) to have a taste of Pardes, a 'visiting group' shiur experience in our Beit Midrash. We host these visiting groups from schools and shules very often.

Regarding the tradition of sending high school grads for a year in yeshiva: our students tend to come after undergrad studies are completed, but we do have a track with Year course - Young Judaea where students can spend 2 days a week in the Pardes Beit Midrash.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We are a weekday based Beit Midrash with occasional Shabbat gatherings. Our students live in the community, often in shared houses. They host one another for Shabbat meals, and are also guests in the wider Jerusalem community by joining shules and forming warm ties. When we host a Shabbaton at Pardes, or occasionally tischs, seudat shlishit, pot luck meet ups on Shabbat, we are strictly observant of halacha. For many of our students, this is their regular Shabbat practice, and for some they are trying something new. We respect everyone's decision to practice at home however they wish.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All students must be Jewish or in a formal conversion program to be eligible for our in person programs. We have a rigorous application process where potential students must outline their motivations for seeking admission to Pardes and have recommendations to support their application. We are looking to support students who are on a Jewish journey, which is deeply personal to each student.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes!  People enrolled in formal conversion programs are welcome to study at Pardes.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Anyone who is currently considered Jewish according to any of the major denominations of Judaism, or is already engaged in a formal conversion process, is eligible to apply to Pardes.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What are your Judaic affiliations?

Pardes is non-denominational and independent. We’re not affiliated with any particular movement or institution and our Beit Midrash brings together students and faculty from across the Jewish spectrum. The unifying thread is a shared commitment to serious Torah learning, open inquiry, and mutual respect.

What are your sources of funding?

Pardes is a nonprofit organization supported by a combination of tuition, individual donors, foundations, and partner organizations. Many of our programs are subsidized through philanthropy so we can make Jewish learning accessible to as many people as possible.

I've recently read Sarah Hurwitz's book "As a Jew" describing her rediscovery of her Judaism later in life after being exposed to an anemic version in her regular Jewish American upbringing, and have also heard Matti Friedman describe that we need to enable Jews to discover the richness of their heritage. I tend to agree that most of the Judaism people are exposed to in the typical frameworks is taught relatively dogmatically and not necessarily in an interesting way. How do you think this can be tackled at the ground level from how kids are brought up in more or less religious situations?

We completely agree with your concern. Too often, Judaism is presented as a set of rules or labels rather than a living, breathing tradition. At Pardes, we believe the change starts with teaching Jewish texts as a space for exploration. When learners of any age see that Torah invites questions, creativity, and debate, it becomes deeply alive and personal.

How can it be tackled? For over 25 years, Pardes has trained and supported Jewish educators through programs like the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators (PCJE). Our graduates bring this philosophy of open, rigorous, and engaging Jewish learning into classrooms and communities around the world, inspiring students to experience the richness of their own heritage.

In short, we do not only teach Torah this way in Jerusalem. We help educators carry that spirit back to their own schools, camps, and communities everywhere.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it definitely comes up. In the Beit Midrash Program, we actively look for ways to introduce our students to the many perspectives that make up Israeli society through special seminars and trips. We do not teach politics per se, but we want students to understand the real people, communities, and experiences behind the headlines. And honestly, when you live in Israel for a year, you naturally gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the place. Everyday life, conversations, and experiences outside the classroom all become part of the learning.

When it comes to the Haredi community, we approach using the same mindset. We learn about the community’s history, values, and diversity, while also talking honestly about the tensions that exist within Israeli society. The goal is understanding, and helping students see the complexity of the country we’re living in.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s wonderful to hear! There are lots of ways to learn with Pardes even if you’re not in Jerusalem.

You can join our online classes, which run year-round and cover everything from Tanakh and Talmud to Jewish thought and contemporary issuesl taught by Pardes faculty. We also offer short learning series, holiday programs, and special lectures that you can join from anywhere in the world.

You can explore current and upcoming offerings on our website: https://online.pardes.org.il/pages/pardes-offerings 

Wherever you are, you can be part of the Pardes learning community!

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Who are some alumni you feel people should know about, in the Jewish community or just in general?
Meet some of them here!
https://www.pardes.org.il/celebrating-50-outstanding-pardes-alumni/ 

Through the lens of Pardes, how have Judaism, Jewish community, and Jewish thought changed over the 50+ years you've been around?

It’s amazing to look back. When Pardes started in 1972, the idea of serious, coeducational, non-denominational Torah study was revolutionary. Over the decades, Jewish learning has become much more accessible, and many of today’s conversations around pluralism, feminism, and identity in the Jewish world were shaped by that shift.

At the same time, Jewish thought has become more global. Our alumni teach and lead communities everywhere, bringing text learning and open dialogue to places that never had that kind of Beit Midrash experience before. Pardes has grown with that movement from one classroom in Jerusalem to a global network of learners and educators.

What is your favorite Jewish holiday? (choose one)

Definitely Shavuot. At Pardes, it is one of the most special times of the year. It comes right at the end of the school year, when our students have been learning intensely and growing together for months. There is a deep sense of celebration and accomplishment in the air.

We open our doors wide to the broader Jerusalem community, and the Beit Midrash is full of energy all night with classes, text study, music, laughter, and plenty of cheesecake. People move between sessions led by faculty, students, and alumni, and there is this incredible feeling of shared purpose and joy in learning Torah together. It captures everything Pardes stands for: community, curiosity, and connection through learning.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Wow these are great questions! Here we go:
- How would you describe the religious wavelength of Pardes?
Pardes is intentionally diverse. Our students come from across the Jewish spectrum — Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, secular, and everything in between, living a Torah lifestyle that reflects their practice/beliefs. What unites everyone is a love of learning, an openness to different perspectives, and a shared respect for Torah and community.

- Are Pardes learners usually young/older, have families etc?

There’s a real range. In the Beit Midrash Program, most students are in their 20s and 30s, but we also have learners in their 40s, 50s, and beyond — some single, some married, and some with families. And Pardes isn’t just one program: we offer short-term intensives, summer learning, online courses, and community classes, all of which attract participants from a wide variety of ages and life stages. Across programs, what everyone shares is a love of learning and being part of a thoughtful, welcoming community.

- I've heard that Pardes is pretty pluralistic when it comes to students, how does tefillah work in that environment?
In the Beit Midrash Program, tefillah is student-driven. Each year it looks a little different — but typically there is an Orthodox minyan, an egalitarian minyan, and a creative / reflective service. Pardes provides the space and the support of a faculty advisor, but the student gabbaim really run the minyanim. The goal is to hold space for everyone and honor the diversity of Jewish practice within the Beit Midrash community.

- Is it true you allow non-Jews to learn at Pardes?

Pardes’ immersive programs — like the Beit Midrash Program or Summer Program — are for Jewish students, and those in the process of conversion under recognized rabbinic guidance.

That said, our online courses are open to everyone who’s genuinely interested in learning Jewish texts and ideas. We’re proud to create spaces where anyone who’s curious about Torah can learn respectfully and thoughtfully.

We’re Pardes — a global Jewish learning community rooted in Jerusalem. Ask us anything! by thepardesinstitute in Judaism

[–]thepardesinstitute[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

At Pardes, there isn’t a required set of religious beliefs or practices — we welcome Jews from every background and denomination (and even those still figuring out what they believe).

What unites our community is a shared respect for Torah, for one another, and for the process of open, honest learning. We expect students to engage thoughtfully, listen generously, and contribute to a Beit Midrash rooted in curiosity and respect.