Celebrating Faustine Goldberg-Sigal

Zina: In late August of 2009, I sat in a circle at Pardes’ Beit Midrash, surrounded by nearly 150 students. A surge of emotions coursed through me — excitement, apprehension, worry, and joy all intermingled. My gaze swept across the diverse faces of individuals hailing from various corners of the world, each with a unique background that would soon intertwine with mine. Little did I know then, but the extraordinary blend of Jewish texts, talented faculty, and a rich tapestry of life stories among my fellow students held an undeniable promise. And it certainly did not disappoint! Looking back, I can confidently say that my transformative experience at Pardes has played an instrumental role in shaping both my professional and personal journey.

Faustine: I still vividly remember the tour of the Old City we did with Mejdi as part of the Mahloket Matters class with Rabbi Daniel Roth. We were led by a Jewish Israeli guide as well as a Palestinian guide. It was the most experiential way I could think of for breaking boundaries between diverse truths, heritage and modern activism, and sacred and mundane, all of which are values that I explored during my time at Pardes.

Zina: Many things; I lived on my own for the first time, I lived in Jerusalem for the first time, I shook a Lulav every day of Sukkot for the first time (I’d shaken a lulav before, but not every day), went to Hebron, and celebrated Passover in Jerusalem.

Faustine: Reading the Torah (leyning as people called it at Pardes!) I had known how to do it for a while but had never found a space where I felt comfortable and excited to do it.

Zina: Ir David (City of David.) It was one of the first tiyulim with Pardes at the beginning of the year. It was an opportunity to connect archeology and Jewish text, and engaging in hevruta learning while sitting on the stones used by Jews around three thousand years ago was priceless. Since then, I love bringing my friends and groups that I’m staffing there and sharing connections between Jewish text, history, and modern-day Israel.

Faustine: Machaneh Yehuda market! Café Casino de Paris (yes – cliché) and the restaurant Azura in particular.

Zina: My perspective is undoubtedly influenced by my role as a Jewish Educator. There is an urgent need to establish supportive frameworks that address two crucial aspects: guiding individuals in discovering how Jewish tradition can enrich their daily lives and fostering respectful dialogue on sensitive subjects.

In my work with young adults from diverse backgrounds worldwide, I often encounter skepticism towards Jewish texts and traditions, deemed outdated and irrelevant. However, when these individuals engage in a meaningful connection with a Jewish educator or rabbi who tailors Jewish learning to their specific needs, they are frequently astonished by the profound insights and practical wisdom that can be applied to their own lives.
The global Jewish community is increasingly fractured by divergent political, social, and Israel-related viewpoints. We are too swift to judge others based on their stances on particular issues, causing a rift between Jewish individuals. However, if we delve deeper, pose thoughtful questions, and strive to discern the values that underpin these viewpoints, we can foster more meaningful and profound conversations. Without the ability to recognize the personalities and values that shape others’ opinions, achieving unity among American, Israeli, and global Jewry will remain arduous.

Faustine: Menschlichkeit! Walking the talk! Jews are blessed with so many ideas but our job isn’t to be custodians or gatekeepers, it’s to bring these to life, in the small and big actions of our lives, individually and as communities. I often feel that staring at Judaism as a museum, while not upholding its values, is close to hilul hashem.

Zina: I’m most proud of my ability to take risks in my professional journey. The first was the decision to leave my corporate career and devote a year to studying at Pardes in Jerusalem. Despite working part-time for Jewish organizations, I was never a full-time Jewish professional. Since my first master’s degree did not focus on Jewish Education, I recognized the need to pursue text-based Jewish education at Pardes. After returning to SPb, Russia, I secured a full-time position at the Jewish organization, and my path remained unwavering. This experience taught me the value of pursuing one’s dreams and wholeheartedly dedicating oneself to achieving goals.

Working at SPb’s JCC provided me with invaluable skills, experiences, and confidence in my abilities. When I made the audacious decision to relocate to the United States, I knew that I would ultimately succeed, even if it meant years of further studies, volunteering, and rebuilding my life from scratch.

These risks have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing new challenges. They have shaped me into a professional who is unafraid to pursue their passions and fully commit to making a meaningful impact.

Faustine: I’m proudest when I witness someone realizing for the first time that they have an exciting spot at the Jewish table: whether they realize Judaism speaks to them – or that they muster the courage to share their Torah with the people around them.

Zina: My journey would be incomplete without the profound impact of Pardes. Professionally, the knowledge and skills I acquired there have been invaluable. Yet, the true treasure lies in the relationships forged with the remarkable individuals I encountered—faculty, fellow students, and the broader Pardes community—who have offered unwavering support throughout my career. When I embarked on the search for employment in the United States, the mention of Pardes on my CV unfailingly led to discovering shared acquaintances, enabling me to obtain valuable references. The network of Pardes alumni is truly unparalleled.

Equally significant, Pardes provided me with the opportunity to engage with diverse expressions of Jewish life, allowing me to shape my own path. Through exposure to a myriad of Jewish perspectives, I was able to discern the contours of my own observance, connection to the divine, and alignment with Jewish values. Pardes granted me the space and resources to navigate and define what my Jewish life could truly entail.

Faustine: The intellectual baggage is still very present in my everyday life and work. And perhaps even most importantly, the conviction that we can create the Judaism we seek with the people around us.