Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, located in Jerusalem, is the world’s premier pluralistic Jewish learning center. Pardes faculty member Alex Israel will visit Penn State to meet, teach, and learn with students!

THE TOPIC:

Building Relationships: Criticism, Compromise, and Constructive Language
In this session, we will look at the greatest of Jewish leaders: Moses and Aharon, Hillel and Shammai; we will study their differing strategies in negotiating thorny human situations. We with then move further, discussing our own potential in fostering an environment of growth and peace rather than conflict, using language as a creative force.

Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Bible at Pardes, where he also serves as Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Alex has taught for twenty years in many top Jerusalem learning institutions. He is also a volunteer for Tzohar – a group that seeks to bridge the gaps between religious and secular communities In Israel. Alex lives with his wife and 4 children in Gush Etzion. He recently published his first book – I Kings:Torn in Two (Maggid: 2014) – a sweeping and enlightening commentary on Sefer Melakhim (The Book of Kings).

The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies is an open, co-ed and non-denominational Jewish learning community, based in Jerusalem and with programs worldwide. Students encounter and grapple with classic texts and traditions of Judaism, while exploring their relevance to today’s most pressing issues. Pardes empowers students with the knowledge and tools to take ownership of their Jewish experience. Come learn more about our Summer Programs and Semester/Year Program, including a new internship add-on and international travel opportunities!