Jerusalem – September 15, 2025 — The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies is proud to announce the appointment of Dammara Rose Markowitz as Chair of its Israel Board, marking a new phase of global vision, rising leadership, and renewed investment in the future of Jewish learning.
An alumna of Pardes and a lifelong Jewish educator, Markowitz brings to this role not only professional expertise but a deep personal connection to Pardes’ mission. Her appointment comes as Pardes constructs a new, purpose-built campus in Jerusalem that will serve as a global center of Torah learning for Jews worldwide. At the same time, the institution is expanding its model beyond Jerusalem, bringing Jewish learning to communities worldwide through strategic partnerships and programming.
As the youngest person to hold this position, Markowitz represents a new generation of Jewish leadership: embracing innovation while rooted in tradition, and committed to building a Jewish future grounded in deep learning and engagement.
“Dammara’s leadership is arriving at exactly the right moment,” said Leon Morris, President of Pardes. “As we grow our international presence and prepare for a new home that embodies our values, she brings vision, global reach, and a deep understanding of how Jewish learning transforms lives. Her leadership will help us strengthen our institutional voice, galvanize new supporters and partnerships, and guide Pardes into its next chapter.”
Canadian-born Dammara Markowitz’s leadership is already shaping the broader Jewish world. Dividing her time between Israel and New York, she brings deep knowledge of both Israeli society and North American Jewish communities to her role as Israel Board chair. A Wexner Heritage Fellow and member of JFNA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, she plays a key role in organizations that bridge Jewish identity, philanthropy, and global engagement. She sits on the boards of The Jewish Education Project and Mem Global, and serves on UJA of New York’s Jewish and Israeli Committee. These positions reflect the experience, networks, and strategic thinking she brings to Pardes during this pivotal moment of growth and expansion.
A graduate of Hebrew College with a Master’s in Jewish Education and an alumna of the Pardes Day School Educators Program, Markowitz has spent her career helping others access Jewish learning that is rigorous, inclusive, and alive. She previously served as Head of Jewish Studies for grades 2-4 at a major Manhattan day school and has been honored with The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” and The Jewish Education Project’s Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award for her contributions to the field.
Blending educational leadership, governance, and experiential design, Markowitz has created initiatives that reimagine Jewish learning in modern contexts. These include Jewish Cocktails, an innovative venture that connects Torah and heritage through mixology, and a forthcoming fragrance gallery and workshop space in Israel dedicated to exploring scent in Jewish history, ritual, and identity.
“Now more than ever, the Jewish world needs strong, values-driven institutions that can engage and embrace all Jews in rigorous study of classic texts and experiencing Jewish life, regardless of background or ideological perspective,” said Dammara Markowitz. “Pardes has always excelled at this, and as chair, I’m honoured and excited to help strengthen that model and expand it to new audiences who can discover how accessible Torah study cultivates lifelong engagement with Jewish community.”
Markowitz’s appointment signals a new chapter for Pardes and its next phase of expanding serious Jewish learning beyond traditional boundaries, ensuring that every Jew can access the transformative power of deep textual study and experience its impact on their connection to heritage, the global Jewish community, and Israel.
