Every year the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies gathers individuals from around the Jewish world (i.e. U.S., U.K.,and Israel) who spend 5 intensive days together studying Jewish texts. This year's topic is the Golden Age of Tzfat. Personally, when I thought about the topic I wasn't sure that it was one in which I really wanted to engage, but I have since changed my mind! The teachers here are masters of choosing text material, arousing one's ability to question, and providing guidance for understanding that which can be so difficult to understand. I can't imagine a richer setting for studying Torah than at Pardes in Jerusalem. The Institute will be sharing the topic for next year's study very shortly and I hope to convince a few others to come and study with me in 5776!
Every year the group holds a final dinner at a top-notch restaurant in Jerusalem. This year's dinner at Touro Restaurant not only had good food, but also a fantastic view of the walls of the old city. I was privileged to have Charlie and Ken Greenfield as my guests at this final dinner. I believe they both found the Pardes kehilla a very welcoming group. Who knows, maybe next year some of us from Tifereth Israel will enjoy a similar experience together here. L'shana Ha'ba-ah B'yerushayim.
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