Celebrating Jake Berger

Pardes alumni are making an incredible impact on our world.

They are leading and creating organizations and businesses of all kinds, responding to humanitarian crises, writing novels, educating at all levels, creating works of art, and so much more! In celebration of Pardes’s 50th, we are highlighting 50 standout alumni whose accomplishments exemplify the rich texture of the Pardes community worldwide. 

MEET JAKE

Jake  recently finished a year as the JDC Entwine Senior Jewish Service Corps Fellow in Dubai, supporting the emerging Jewish community. Previously, Jake worked in London at the Board of Deputies of British Jews representing the Jewish community vis-a-vis education. Before that, Jake spent a year with JDC in Finland working in Helsinki’s Jewish community. 

Alongside Jake’s Jewish professional work, he has been a long-term volunteer with Limmud Festival in the UK and co-founded DAVAR, an initiative to connect Jewish learning and creative expression via immersive experiences.

 

CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL PARDES MEMORY?

I remember being totally bewildered and overwhelmed at opening circle. Having 80+ people in a packed Bet Midrash, each introducing themselves was a lot and quite the introduction to Pardes! But it was a great entry into the Pardes community and a springboard to developing meaningful relationships throughout the year ahead.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS AT PARDES?

This is definitely the hardest question in this interview! I enjoyed all my classes for different reasons, though I will give special mention to Hasidut with Levi Cooper. It covered such a breadth of Hasidic life that is ordinarily inaccessible to so many – texts, music, history, personalities. It was a joyful way to spend a Jerusalem evening.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PASSAGE, PASUK, OR TEXT?

I love the Tanur Shel Akhnai story in Baba Metzia 59a-b. It has everything – a wild narrative, complex characters and broad themes. I’ve taught this text multiple times in different contexts, and it has such depth that I am yet to revisit it and not find something newly insightful and resonant.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR THE FIRST TIME AT PARDES??

I lived in Israel for an extended period. Though I’d visited many times before, it was special to be in Jerusalem year-round – especially experiencing all the holidays there.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN JERUSALEM?

That’s easy – Aricha Sabich on Aggripas Street. Grab a sabich ‘im hakol’ and a beer – there’s no better way to gird oneself before the mayhem of a Friday Machane Yehuda shopping trip.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SHABBAT GUEST, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Asher Lev. He is a complicated artistic and Jewish soul that I would love to meet. Chaim Potok created Asher Lev in such a way that you feel you know him personally just by reading the books but meeting him and seeing his art would be a special experience. He’d probably know a few good niggunim for a Friday night too.

HOW DOES PARDES CONTINUE TO AFFECT YOU TODAY?

The Pardes trip to Istanbul with Levi Cooper was deeply impactful. It inspired me to see how global the Jewish world is, and also to see my place within it. I’ve since been fortunate to work with communities around the world. Relatedly, Pardes gave me the confidence to ‘own’ texts and be comfortable teaching them – something I have done globally in the UAE, Finland, the UK and beyond.

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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