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.
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.