The Pardes Alumni Fellowship

Continue the journey of Pardes Torah by bringing it to your community. 

Pardes alumni have experienced first-hand the magic of Jewish life and learning in a vibrant community and are uniquely positioned to become network weavers, conveners of Jewish learning, and builders of intentional Jewish community in their cities.

The Pardes Alumni Fellowship gives alumni the opportunity to learn with Pardes faculty in an intimate learning community around the theme of “The Torah of Gathering”. Additionally, the fellowship will provide alumni with practical community engagement skills and resources that they will put into practice as organizers of local Pardes communal learning groups that support alumni and friends.


So much of Jewish life happens in the context of community, yet how often do our gatherings lack the warmth, inspiration and sense of purpose that we crave? In this fellowship, we will learn what Jewish tradition has to say about how to build community with intentionality. Together we will gain practical tools in order to create gatherings that lead to connection and belonging. We will explore topics ranging from how to welcome the stranger to how to facilitate meaningful Jewish learning.

Join the Pardes Alumni Fellowship and become an innovative and effective builder and shaper of Jewish community in your city.

The fellowship will consist of two essential components:

  • Group Study & Individual Mentorship – Fellows will learn Pardes’s The Torah of Gathering curriculum and be given individual mentorship by PNA. Each fellow will receive a generous stipend of $400 for their time and participation in these sessions.
  • Community Initiative – As part of their participation in the fellowship, fellows will be asked to transpose the inspiration and learning into a community initiative that engages Pardes alumni and friends in their cities. Fellows will have several months to carry out their community engagement project upon completion of the virtual sessions. Each fellow will receive a $400 community engagement fund to support the development of their own Pardes gatherings.  For more information, please click here for the requirements.

By participating in the Pardes Alumni Fellowship, fellows will:

  • Receive both professional mentorship and financial support
  • Immerse in highly relevant Pardes Torah they can then use to serve their own Jewish communities back home
  • Strengthen their community-building skills and knowledge
  • Join a strong network of colleagues

Meet the inaugural cohort of the Pardes Alumni Fellowship!

For any questions, please contact Tani Cohen-Fraade at Alumni@pardes.org  

Interested in learning more about alumni opportunities? 

Visit the Pardes North America Alumni Engagement Page.

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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