The Orchard Sessions

The Orchard Sessions offer text-based study for learners of all levels, with a fantastic lineup of Pardes educators. Summer 2026 Schedule: For the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and the release of Pardes’s Talmud of America, Pardes faculty invite you to take a deeper look into fundamental ideas from the Declaration of Independence, through the lens of classical Jewish sources. July 7 Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor with David I. Bernstein Dr. David I. Bernstein is Dean Emeritus of Pardes, serving as Dean for over 20 years, following 11 years as Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum. He currently instructs aspiring educators in pedagogy and leads Jewish heritage trips throughout Eastern and Central Europe. July 14 That All Men Are Created Equal with Rahel Berkovits Rabbi Rahel Berkovits is Senior Faculty at Pardes, where she has taught Mishnah, Talmud and Halakha for more than twenty years. She lectures widely in Israel and abroad on topics relating to women and Jewish law and Jewish sexual ethics. July 21 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness with Yiscah Smith Yiscah Smith is an adjunct faculty member at Pardes, where she teaches Hasidism and spiritual texts. A spiritual activist, educator, mentor, and meditation guide, Yiscah approaches Judaism as a spiritual practice rooted in the encounter with the Divine spark within and beyond oneself. July 28 Prudence and the Right of Rebellion with Jess Minnen Rabbi Jessica Minnen brings her passion for transformative Jewish learning to her position as North American Faculty Coordinator at Pardes. She has taught widely for Jewish educational organizations, was part of the founding team of OneTable, and works with Momentum developing immersive learning experiences for women around the world. TIME: 9:00-10:00 AM Pacific / 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern / 5:00-6:00 PM UK / 7:00-8:00 PM Israel