Celebrating Maxim Delchev

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 MAXIM

Maxim Delchev is currently serving as the Director of Jewish Education for Shalom, the umbrella organization for all Jewish community life in Bulgaria. Since March, Maxim has also been president of the Sephardic Orthodox community of Bulgaria.

CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL PARDES MEMORY?

I remember when I presented my community’s story in front of everyone. I explained events that, at that time, were not comfortable discussing and teaching; the complicated story of saving Bulgarian Jewry. I only had 5 minutes! I looked around the Beit midrash and saw all of those people, my Pardes cohort and my teachers, who only 5 months before were totally strangers, but at that moment they gave me the strength to tell my story and the story of my community. It was an incredible experience.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR THE FIRST TIME AT PARDES?

I had a meaningful hevruta. Before Pardes, I thought that I needed a hevruta that was similar to me, with similar interests and worldviews. At Pardes, for the first time, I had the opportunity to learn from people that are very different from me, and that made me appreciate the Torah and our culture more.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS AT PARDES?

I really enjoyed Gila Fine’s class on understanding Talmudic stories and the heroines in those stories. I found many connections to my non-Jewish education and knowledge, and those classes helped me in connecting ideas from the Jewish and non-Jewish world. This is incredibly valuable to me now in my role as an educator.

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

I would invite my grandparents z’l, who grew up during the Holocaust and made the decision to stay in communist Bulgaria. I have never had the opportunity to have a Shabbat meal with them, as Shabbat did not exist in our family, though it did exist for them when they were children. I am not sure what I would ask them, I would just sit and listen.

MAKE A DONATION IN MAXIM'S HONOR
MAKE A DONATION IN MAXIM'S HONOR

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN JERUSALEM?

The bench at Yacov Sheskin street. During my first month in Jerusalem, I was constantly going through that small street next to the Hansen house. It is one of the steepest streets in the city. And right in the middle there is this bench where you can just sit and take a breath. For me, Jerusalem is like this street; a breath-taking experience where the people, history, and emotions can easily overwhelm you. And you need that bench like you need the Torah in Pardes classrooms, so you can be prepared for the next day in the city and its emotions.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK?

I am most proud when I am able to teach Torah. To anyone. And to learn from anyone. To teach and learn from my 7th graders, to teach and learn from my camp team, and even to teach and learn from the President of Bulgaria for Pesach. I am proud of my work when I can ignite the same spark and light that someone ignited in me decades ago.

HOW DOES PARDES CONTINUE TO AFFECT YOU TODAY?

Pardes taught me that every day, even in the most stressful and exhausting moments, we can put aside time for Torah and learning. This is a principle that I try my best to continue to follow.

 

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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