A Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

This past year alone, Pardes ran hundreds of programs, touching students around the world. In early 2019, our first-ever Winter Learning Intensive in Jerusalem brought together college students and young professionals to explore Power, Privilege and Responsibility. In December 2018 and July 2019, our Executive Learning Seminars, geared towards more established adults, explored the themes of War and Peace: The Challenges of Sovereignty and Shaping Meaningful Relationships in a Lonely World. And, in July and August 2019, our sold-out Summer Program drew more than 120 students, ranging in age from 18 to 81, from 14 different countries. These are just a few examples of the vitality of our beit midrash in Jerusalem, above and beyond our long-term Semester, Year and Educators learning programs.

Meanwhile, in North America, Pardes provided important retreats as well as professional development opportunities for Jewish educators, such as our Tefilah Education Conference for Day School Administrators and the Pardes-Kevah Teaching Fellowship, which is designed to help Jewish educators more effectively teach Jewish texts to adults. We also saw 50 communities sign up
for Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively.

Elmad, our online learning platform, was accessed thousands of times this year, bringing Pardes faculty members to learners globally through podcasts, recorded lectures, holiday companions, articles and much more. And, early this coming January, we will post the 800th episode of our signature podcast, Pardes from Jerusalem! Be sure to subscribe and visit Elmad to listen at elmad.pardes.org/podcasts.

Our two biggest projects are both a result, and an extension, of our successes: first, the imminent construction of our new home in Jerusalem, Beit Karen, fueled by an exciting $36 million  endowment and capital campaign, and, second, our ambitious and budding program expansion in North America.

We – Pardes students, alumni, and supporters – are builders. And, as Rabbi Elazar said in Berakhot 64a, when we build through a love of Torah, we increase peace in our homes, in our  communities and in the world.

In the following pages of this year’s Havruta magazine, I invite you to be inspired by the stories featuring our alumni and how their paths have been shaped by their experiences at Pardes. I invite you to be engaged in a stimulating back and forth discussion between two faculty members on the meaning and complexity of identity. Last but not least, I invite you to join us in thanking the hundreds of supporters whose generosity and partnership make the Pardes experience possible. Thank you.

L’shalom,

 

 

 

Rabbi Leon A. Morris
President

Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Hanina: The students of the Sages increase peace in the world, as it is said [in Isaiah 54], “And all your children shall be taught of the Eternal, and great shall be the peace of your children [banayich]. Read not “your children” [banayich] but “your builders” [bonayich].
Berakhot 64a

אמר רבי אלעזר אמר רבי חנינא תלמידי חכמים מרבים שלום בעולם שנאמר וכל בניך למודי ה׳ ורב שלום בניך אל תקרי בניך אלא בוניך

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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