Israel at War 2023: Updates from Pardes
Torah and community: lights shining through the darkness
On October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorists entered Israel from Gaza, committing devastating atrocities that have horrified the world. Many, including children and elderly, were murdered while hostages were taken, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the son of Pardes staff member Rachel Goldberg. Active soldiers and reservists have been called to the front, many of them related to the staff and faculty at Pardes. Across the world, Jewish communities are shocked, in pain, and feeling terror for the safety of their loved ones.
Yet, despite this fear, we have not been silent, hiding ourselves away. Instead, Jewish communities and organizations have been coming together, gathering in solidarity and support for one another.
Since October 7 and throughout the ensuing war, we have seen a beautiful outpouring of love from the Pardes family, as alumni and friends reach out to those of us in Israel and gather for Torah learning and support. In Israel, the Torah learning at Pardes continues uninterrupted, with students of our Year Program filling the Beit Midrash, celebrating Rosh Hodesh, and doing great deeds to help others during this time of darkness.
Still here,
Still learning,
Still together.
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Prayer List
We are praying for all those civilians and soldiers who have been injured to experience a complete healing. We also pray for the brave members of the Israel Defense Forces called to serve, and particularly have in mind the following soldiers who are a part of our extended Pardes family.
Send Notes of Chizuk
Our staff and faculty in Israel have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support they have received from Pardesniks across the world. We have created a form to better facilitate the sending of notes to them. If you’d like to send a note, please use the form below.
Bring Hersh Home
On October 7, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, son of Pardes staff member and alumna Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin, was taken hostage by Hamas during the attack at the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Reim in Southern Israel. During the attack, Hersh was injured, losing a portion of his left arm, and he is in dire need of medical attention. Pardes stands with Rachel and Jonathan during this difficult time.
Learn more about the campaign to bring Hersh home.
Uninterrupted Torah study
At Pardes, we believe that Torah study can be a source of strength and comfort during a crisis.
The Pardes Beit Midrash is still illuminated with the voices of Torah study as Year Program students and faculty continue to study Torah. Alumni and friends are also learning together, both with alumni gatherings and through online learning opportunities.
Video Messages
Live learning gatherings and programs
Please note: The Community Education Fall series will be holding classes online through Zoom during the current crisis. Please contact Debra Weiner at ce@pardes.org.il for more information.
Dating back to the days of Ezra, the Jewish people have gathered as a community on Mondays and Thursdays to share in words of Torah. Embracing this tradition during a time where community is so vital, we will be gathering each Monday and Thursday for Torah learning.
Each gathering will begin with a brief update from Pardes in Jerusalem, followed by learning dedicated to the loved ones of members of our community who have been called into army service.
Standing together as a community
Pardesniks are gathering together as a caring community to support one another during these difficult times. In Jerusalem, students are coming together to pray in the Pardes Beit Midrash while giving each other strength, while also engaging in a variety of community service activities. Abroad, Pardes alumni and friends have been organizing gatherings to hold space for one another and, of course, engage in Torah study.
Follow Pardes on Facebook or Instagram to see more pictures, watch videos, and read stories of how the Pardes family is coming together as a community.
If you would like to organize an alumni community gathering, please contact Tani Cohen-Fraade at Alumni@pardes.org.
Praying with our feet
Over a quarter million people from across North America gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday for the March for Israel.
We were touched to see the many Pardes staff, faculty, board members, and alumni who came out to stand in solidarity with Israel and against antisemitism.
Pardes students visited Tzur Hadassah for the second time to help families of miluim soldiers.
Students helped by playing with kids, making dinner, folding laundry, doing dishes, and creating art projects.
Group volunteering at the nursing home neighboring Pardes has again picked up; the intergenerational singing and dancing lifted the spirits of all those present!
Several of our students are quietly and steadfastly continuing to run point on key projects in service of larger communal needs.
One student receives a daily list of items needed for evacuees from the south. With the help of a dedicated faculty, she makes frequent drop-offs to those in need.
Families of our staff took part in the creation of a hands-on public art piece, designed to raise awareness around soldiers fighting to restore Israel’s safety and security.
Students in Judy Klitsner and Nechama Goldman-Barash’s classes prepared the Post Hotel for evacuees arriving from across Israel.
Nechama gave an impromptu class on art and the akeida, embodying our effort to bring the Beit Midrash wherever we go!
Levi Cooper’s students visited Zur Hadassah to help families with parents called up to reserve duty. They played with kids, chopped veggies, tutored English, and even brought gifts!
They ended with dinner, divrei Torah, and singing led by Spencer Garfield.
When Gila Fine and students went to clear a miklat in a building filled with seniors who were uncomfortable using the shelter, they went above and beyond.
Together, they cleared the miklat, cleaned out 2 gardens and gathered 10 bags of trash from the premises.
Pardes students, staff, and family invited local kids to join us in transforming a dreary elementary school shelter into an ocean wonderland!
We had so much fun painting, and we’re so glad to give this school a cheerier safe space!
In the midst of crisis, our Year Program students are stepping up to help those in need. Many of our students volunteered to make food packages and to deliver them to those in need.
Supporting one another
Happy Birthday Meesh!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to be together for life-affirming smachot, and appreciated the chance to show some hakarat hatov for the tremendous, unfathomable leadership that Meesh has shown in holding up our learning community with such care, during such trying times.
Magen David Adom volunteers led a class at Pardes on the basics of CPR, how to apply a tourniquet, and how to stop bleeding.
On October 26, students Alden and Sophie hosted a beautiful evening of poetry writing and reading, with guided meditation and writing prompts.
While the majority our students are in Jerusalem learning in our Beit Midrash, a group in London has gathered to connect, share, eat and continue learning Torah via Zoom.
In the US, alumni and friends gathered at the home of Professor Deborah Barer to study, be in community, and bake cookies together.
Another gathering occurred in Atlanta at the home of alumna Falynn Schmidt.
For Rosh Hodesh Cheshvan, students gathered for learning over breakfast and to pray together as a community and sing Hallel.
More than 160 alumni gathered online on the Monday following the attack to read Tehillim, study Torah, and hold space for one another.
Happy Birthday Meesh!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to be together for life-affirming smachot, and appreciated the chance to show some hakarat hatov for the tremendous, unfathomable leadership that Meesh has shown in holding up our learning community with such care, during such trying times.