Day of Learning Remarks Gurin/Meskin Families May 12, 2019

ben gurinToday’s learning is sponsored by
Robin and Leonard Gurin
Ilana and Mark Meskin
In honor and celebration of their son’s ordination
Mazal tov to Rabbi Benjamin Caplan-Meskin Gurin!

Today, Benjamin Caplan-Meskin Gurin will be ordained as a rabbi by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. A native of Fishers, Indiana and a proud Hoosier from the IU class of 2012, Ben came to Pardes as a student in the Year Program in the fall of 2012, just before starting rabbinical school. Today, Ben graduates as a full-time Teaching Assistant in the USC Jewish Studies Program, teaching 100 students each semester, with plans to apply to PhD programs in the fall to continue to pursue his goals as a student and teacher of Torah.

When you mention Ben Gurin’s name to anyone who knows him, their immediate response is “He’s the best! I love that guy!” While Ben is an accomplished student and teacher, what sets him apart is the way that he cares for the people in his life. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “What we need more than anything else is not textbooks but text people. It is the personality of the teacher which is the text that the pupils read; the text they will never forget.” Ben Gurin is most certainly a “text person.” As his students will attest to, it is the combination of Ben’s passion for Jewish studies, his humor and his attention to the needs of each of his students, that makes his teaching impactful. Ben’s time at Pardes was a critical part of his journey, and there is no doubt that the “text people” who teach at Pardes have been important role models on Ben’s journey to becoming a rabbi.

As you approach the end of your year of study, we hope that like Ben, you take a moment to appreciate the “text people” who have been your teachers this year, and that you find new ones who continue to inspire you along the way, wherever your journeys may take you. Your learning in Ben’s honor today is the greatest tribute any student and teacher of Torah could imagine, and to thank you, our family would like to offer you this blessing as you come to the end of this year of learning, adapted from Brakhot 17a:

When study had been completed in Rabbi Ammi’s school, students would say to each other:

May you see your world in your lifetime…
May your eyes sparkle with the light of the Torah, And your face shine like the brilliance of the heavens.
May you speak words of wisdom, and may the deeds of righteousness you do fill your body with joy.
And may your feet hurry to hear the words of the Ancient of Days. Amen.
(adapted from a translation by Danny Siegel)

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Activation

Start date: ASAP

We are seeking a charismatic, creative, and action-oriented Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Activation to lead this initiative. This individual will play a key role in bridging the gap between the immersive Jerusalem-based Pardes experience and the ongoing life-long learning opportunities we offer in North America.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Implement and Iterate Alumni Engagement Strategies:
    • Enhance the current “menu” of opportunities for Pardes alumni to both “give” to
      and “receive” from, Pardes.
      • Give: Empower alumni to take action, create initiatives, and leverage
        Pardes as a platform for leadership and innovation.
      • Receive: Encourage alumni to engage in continued learning through
        classes, retreats, Shabbatonim, cohorts, and other programs.
    •  Ongoing internal evaluation of efficacy of strategies and implementing iterative
      updates to enhance outcomes.
  • Program Development and Management:
    • In collaboration with the wider team, develop and implement ideas for online and in person classes, including holiday programs, one-off shiurim, and limited series.
    • Oversee the execution of programs including but not limited to: email
      correspondence and registration, coordinating with marketing, Zoom production,
      and post-program evaluation.
    • Ensuring cross-departmental collaboration specifically with the engagement and
      development teams
    •  Serve as the project manager for select alumni cohort learning programs,
      ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes.
  • Community Building and Leadership:
    • Foster strong, relational connections with alumni, encouraging their active
      involvement in the Pardes community.
    • Identify and cultivate connections with key alumni leaders. Lead efforts to inspire alumni to take on leadership roles within their communities, promoting Pardes’ values and educational mission.
    • Cultivate and steward and existing external partnerships with organizations and
      initiatives as it relates to our Pardesnik engagement and activation work
  • Alumni Coaching and Mentorship:
    • Provide coaching and mentorship to alumni interested in developing initiatives, such as micro-grants or local events, and support them in realizing their ideas. This may include group coaching within cohorts.
  • Targeted Recruitment and Outreach:
    • Engage in focused recruitment and outreach efforts to involve specific alumni in relevant Pardes offerings.
    • Collaborate with the wider team to manage recruitment for various programs,
      including necessary follow-up and evaluation.

Qualifications:

  •  Proven experience in alumni relations, community engagement, or a related field.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for building and maintaining relationships.
  • Creativity and initiative in developing new programs and strategies to engage alumni.
  • Passion for Jewish learning and a deep connection to the mission of Pardes.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
  • Willingness to travel as needed to engage with alumni across North America.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Pardes alumna
  • Experience working in Jewish education or community leadership.
  • Familiarity with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and its programs.
  • Based in New York City

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary commensurate with experience: $70,000-$85,000
    100% health insurance coverage for the employee (dependent coverage available)
  • 403b retirement plan with Nationwide with up to 5% contribution by employer
  • Paid time off & Paid holidays (Jewish and secular)
  • FSA
  • Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Remote and hybrid working option and flexible hours
  • Opportunities to travel domestically and to Israel to collaborate across the team
  • Opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and growing organization with a meaningful mission.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and passion for this role. All applications should be sent to Assistant Director of Programs at Monica at monica@pardes.org.

Cover letters should answer the following questions

  • What makes you passionate about this role and work?
  • What concrete professional or personal experiences have prepared you best for this role?
  • What is one project, strategy or initiative that this job description stimulates in you?
  • How do you ensure great teamwork and successful collaboration?
    PLEASE NOTE:

Applications are due by October 8th and interviews will be the week of October 28th. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Pardes North America provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all organizational facilities without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

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