By Justin Pellis Up an echoey staircase, I found my giggly Nachshon family talking about the parsha and playing with Rabbi Zeff’s kids. Once we finished our sushi lunch, Rabbanit Tamara Schagas joined us on the patio. After days of speakers who defended their passion for Halakhic observance, Schagas, a Reform Rabbanit, brought a totally […]
By Samantha Brenner I went into the Jerusalem Shabbaton excited, nervous, and even a little anxious to see and experience Shabbat through a different lens. Leading into the Shabbaton, we experienced different expressions of Judaism, learning how denominations of Judaism are able to manifest themselves. After finishing lunch on Friday afternoon and checking into the […]
By Katherine O'Neill For the breakout sessions during the opening conference I joined the innovation group. I was at first drawn to the Social Justice group, but wanted to get out of my comfort zone and explore a new way of thinking. And I am so glad that I did. Our group visited the town of […]
By Audrey Honig As I walked into the “iron chef” cook off, I was expecting a simple cooking class- a final, relaxed activity to a high energy week. My senses were overwhelmed as I walked into the room and saw two long silver tables with boundless food. There was meat, many fruits and vegetables, and […]
By Shira Farbman During our opening conference we had the privilege of hearing from Laizy Shapiro, creator of Srugim. During our conversation Shapiro spoke about his background, growing up with two American parents in Jerusalem, as well as the process of writing and directing his hit show. There were a few aspects of our time […]
By Julian Biller We recently met with Rav Shmuel Klitsner, a Modern Orthodox Rabbi, who currently teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. For many of us, however, he was better known for his involvement in the animated Chanukkah film, “Lights” (I hope it was for many of us, at least. It may be projecting my own excitement!). […]
By Jamie Gottlieb One of my favorite parts of my Nachshon experience has been learning about the many different ways one can work in the Jewish professional world. One of these ways is by working in the Jewish nonprofit sector. Nachshon provided us with the unique opportunity to meet Laura Solomon, an attorney, and an […]
By Zoe Shir Coming from a non-observant home, Shabbat was not an aspect of Jewish life I had truly experienced in a religious context. From the opening conference until now I have been fortunate enough to have had amazing experiences with Shabbat. Whether I stayed with family, made dinner with cohort members at […]
By Tamar Tecktiel The Siege of Leningrad 1941-1944, The Somme 1916, Stalingrad 1942-1943, Operation Barbarossa 1941, and the Battle on Givat Hatachmoshet in 1967. The aforementioned battles are some of the most brutal and deadly battles of human history. The battle that took place on Givat Hatachmoshet in the Six Day War is lesser known. […]
By Maia Cattan Where do I find kedusha, holiness, in the world? I’ve found it in personal prayer, in a beautiful view, in song, around a campfire, on a run in the park, in looking around a Shabbat dinner table - I’ve found it in lots of unexpected places. How do you teach others about […]
