Masa Israel Journey Blog

Published : August 22, 2012

By Alex Willick, Otzma

Gourmet ice coffee and my Hebrew notebook are good friends of mine in Israel:

A bona fide child of the Tri-State Area, Alex Willick was born in Bergen County, NJ, raised in Westport, Connecticut, and subsequently lived in New York City. He graduated from Colgate University in 2009, where he studied music and philosophy, both of which continue to be passionate areas of study. He has spent the last few years working for the Jewish community in New York City, including a year and a half at UJA-Federation of New York and some time at Heeb Magazine.

Since the summer of 2011, Alex has been living in...

Summing up my time at Pardes

Published : August 21, 2012

By Joanne Loiben, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

It is difficult to sum up these past 3 years at Pardes - the memories, the moments, the worlds that existed on this 3rd floor hidden paradise along with the teachers, the knowledge, the learning and the constant flow of engaging conversations.

Who I was three years ago is not exactly who I am today, and I have Pardes to thank for that. I came not knowing what to expect, packing up my bags after college graduation and landing at Ben Gurion airport, without even so much as an address in Jerusalem or a phone number to dial to let someone know I had arrived. I am leaving a confident and inspired member of the Jewish people, with an enormous Pardes community eager to greet me in the States.

In משלי...