Celebrating Aaron Lerner

I am most proud of the unexpected impact I can have on clients, veterans, and my colleagues as a social worker. In social work or any service-oriented work, you are always collaborating with the client to make a difference in their lives. With people in distressing situations, you often find resistance to change, even if it may be in their own interest. Getting the buy-in of my clients and helping shape a plan together requires persistent trust-building, even as I face diverse obstacles to the relationship.

My favorite pasuk is one I learned from my Hasidism class with Levi Cooper. I loved learning about the concept of devekut, or clinging to God, but my absolute favorite would be the vision of the Baal Shem Tov of the Messiah studying Torah. The Messiah told the Baal Shem Tov that he would come when all Jews were able to do mystical supplications. I found this very inspiring in terms of how the teaching emphasized the infinite potential and dignity of each human being to connect with the world around them and help others on a deep and profound level, and our capacity to have an impact on our world. I also love the Burning Bush, no other scene in the Torah speaks to me more.

I have so many memories… tiyulim filled with singing, Meesh Hammer-Kossoy’s passion for the Mishnah and discussing “JewBus” (Jewish Buddhists) with Levi Cooper. My best memories would be the times I spent getting to know a Benedictine monk on Mt. Zion over drinks. He hosted me in his monastery every week for deep conversations. The same day that I met him I attended a random tische as well! Jerusalem is a city of unexpected moments, hospitality, and fascinating people.

I loved many classes at Pardes, from Mishnah with Meesh, Hasidism with Levi Cooper and any bible class with Michael Hattin. However, my favorite class hands down would be Gila Fine’s class on women heroines in the Talmud. I loved her teaching style so much. She allowed us to explore the texts on a deep level, and then revealed new depths with each story of the Talmudic characters we studied. She taught the course as if it were a mystery novel. I learned so much about sexist and patriarchal tropes in literature and about the large, albeit overlooked, roles women play in the Talmud.

My time at Pardes was critical in terms of helping me to transform into the serious Jewish educator that I wanted to become. The ability to spend three years cultivating text skills in a serious Beit Midrash setting with thoughtful and intellectually honest educators and pedagogues was one of the milestones of my career. I draw on those three years daily in some way shape or form.

I studied at Pardes during a critical moment in my life. My mental health was not at its greatest, I was confused about what I wanted to do with my life. Pardes provided me with a space of unconditional love and acceptance among the teachers and students and allowed me to figure myself and my next steps out.