Pardes Launches New Learning App

JERUSALEM – In 2005, Pardes launched Pardes in Jerusalem, which has been among the most highly rated Jewish podcast series on iTunes. It has been published weekly ever since. In 2013 Pardes launched Elmad, a highly comprehensive online learning platform that has grown tremendously over the last seven years.

Today, Pardes is excited to unveil the newest addition to its online learning infrastructure – The Pardes Daily learning app, now available for free on the App Store and on Google Play, serving Jewish learners of all levels and backgrounds.

First launched in late March to a very limited audience for testing purposes, Pardes Daily was designed to offer high-quality mini-courses in a format suitable for learners on the go who want serious but also accessible learning options.

pardes daily liveLessons are currently 10-20 minutes each and will be offered five days a week for four weeks. This month’s launch offers an Elul-themed curriculum, featuring three mini-courses related to the high-holiday season. Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield will be teaching Chapters 3 & 4 of Tractate Rosh Hashanah (Talmud), Rav Rahel Berkovits will be teaching Mishnah Rosh Hashanah and Rabbi Michael Hattin will be teaching the Book of Jonah. Zvi, Rahel and Michael are each longstanding core members of the Pardes faculty in Jerusalem.

“Building an engaging curriculum with my colleagues in Jerusalem while working with developers to bring their teaching to life on this new platform was a very special experience,” said Rabba Shani Gross, Pardes’s Director of North American Programs, who managed the project. “Pardes is deeply invested in creating positive learning experiences for learners of all backgrounds. I think this app reflects those values wonderfully.”

Like all Pardes programs, Pardes Daily places an emphasis on havruta (partnered) learning and offers a built-in mechanism that allows users to connect with each other. Users can become “accountability buddies” and get notifications when one’s partner completes a lesson. Users can also learn independently at their own pace.

While originally conceived of as part of Pardes’s plan to more deeply engage North American Jews, the app was fast-tracked to meet the needs of the moment.

“With so many Jews largely isolated from their communities and seeking innovative ways to keep Torah and Judaism as active components of their day-to-day life, we felt it was imperative to make Pardes Daily available as soon as possible,” said Pardes’s President, Rabbi Leon Morris. “Our hope is that through this learning, users will seek out more Torah from Pardes and, when the state of the world allows for it, participate in our programs in-person, both in North America and Israel.”

Pardes Daily is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play. More information can be found at www.pardes.org.il/pardesdaily.

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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