Pardes Center for Jewish Educators Launches Innovative GS2JS Program to Empower General Studies Teachers in Jewish Day Schools

Pardes Center for Jewish Educators Launches Innovative GS2JS Program to Empower General Studies Teachers in Jewish Day Schools

Jerusalem, May 30, 2024 – The Pardes Center for Jewish Educators (PCJE) is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking General Studies to Jewish Studies (GS2JS) program. This innovative initiative aims to bridge the gap in Judaic education by equipping existing general studies teachers at Jewish day schools with the knowledge and skills needed to teach Jewish studies classes.

Recognizing the potential within their current faculty, many Jewish day schools have identified excellent general studies teachers who are deeply committed to their school’s mission and values. These educators often lack the specific content knowledge required to teach Jewish studies. The GS2JS program is designed to provide these teachers with intensive training in Jewish content and pedagogy, enabling them to make a smooth transition to teaching Jewish studies.

Over approximately 18 months, the GS2JS program offers one-on-one virtual mentoring, participation in the Pardes Summer Program, and independent literacy readings tailored to fill individual knowledge gaps. Participants will receive tutorials in content-specific pedagogy to develop skills such as fostering multiple interpretations of texts and using bibliodrama. The summer immersion includes intensive text study, educational trips around Jerusalem, and in-person mentoring. Continued virtual mentoring supports curriculum development, lesson planning, and assessment design.

The program is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of participants and their schools. Learning begins in the winter before the educator starts teaching Jewish studies and continues through the summer after their first year of transition. This flexible approach allows for varying levels of initial commitment to Jewish studies teaching, ranging from a full load to just one or two classes.

Success in the GS2JS program hinges on strong three-way communication between the mentor, the participating teacher, and the school administration. This collaboration ensures that the goals and content priorities are aligned with the school’s vision for its Jewish studies program.

The GS2JS program builds on PCJE’s successful Mentor Matching program, which has already helped several educators transition from general studies to Jewish studies. By integrating tailored content study, text skills, and pedagogical techniques, the GS2JS program channels expertise to meet the unique needs of general studies teachers.

PCJE has actively sought feedback from day school administrators to refine the program. Responses have highlighted both enthusiasm and important considerations, such as the suitability of participants and the need for financial compensation to recognize the teachers’ time and effort.

PCJE is committed to continually improving the GS2JS program based on feedback and ongoing research. Future considerations include setting minimum Jewish text skill levels, ensuring achievable goals, preventing teacher burnout, and identifying ongoing learning opportunities for program alumni.

Since its inception, PCJE has trained over 300 Jewish educators, with 78% currently working in the field and 38 graduates in leadership roles. The programs have had a lasting impact on more than 200 educational institutions worldwide, fostering a vibrant and knowledgeable Jewish future.

For more information about the GS2JS program or to participate in this exciting initiative, please contact Reuven Margrett at reuvenm@pardes.org.il .

About Pardes Center for Jewish Educators:

The Pardes Center for Jewish Educators (PCJE) is a division of Pardes dedicated to creating, mentoring, and supporting Jewish educators. Through innovative programs and a commitment to excellence, PCJE aims to enhance Jewish learning and teaching worldwide.

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.