Celebrating Miriam Lorie

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 MIRIAM

Miriam Lorie is a third year semikha student at Yeshivat Maharat, one of the first British women to pursue Orthodox ordination. She serves as Rabbi in Training at Kehillat Nashira, the Borehamwood Partnership Minyan. She teaches Bnei Mitzvah students, engaged couples and anyone else who loves to learn Torah and finds their way to her! Her favorite part of this work is facilitating lifecycle moments. She has been privileged to be part ofBrit Milah and Simchat Bat ceremonies, Bnei Mitzvah, stone settings (consecrations) and Vorts.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR THE FIRST TIME AT PARDES?

I went to a regular weekday minyan. Not always easy with a toddler in the house, but the space and time to get to know our tefillah in a supportive space with peers was really important to my Jewish development. Orthodox women don’t often get to experience prayer as a communal experience and I learned how much more motivating and meaningful it is to daven alongside others. I also tried to take a photo of the sky outside the Beit Midrash every minyan morning – the patchwork of changing skies that I have in my photo album is a lasting memento from that special time.      

CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL PARDES MEMORY?

The Beit Midrash was the setting of most of my memories, but the learning that happened beyond was also impactful. Tiyulim, Shabbatot, meals with friends and teachers. But if I had to choose one memory then it would be a Tanakh Tiyul, learning stories from Bereishit about Grar, in Grar!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN JERUSALEM?

The unexpected dusty charm of the garden of the Natural History Museum, particularly during a Nava Tehila service where the beauty of people coming together to make gorgeous, spiritual music, matches up to the natural beauty.

MAKE A DONATION IN MIRIAM'S HONOR

HOW DOES PARDES CONTINUE TO AFFECT YOU TODAY?

Pardes was the year when I decided, “I’d like to dedicate my life to this Jewish thing.” For so many reasons. Pardes embodies joyful yet serious text learning. It invites every question. The teachers are phenomenal pedagogues, deep-rooted scholars and most importantly, they’re menches. Pardes models a cross-denominational Jewish way of being that is incredibly difficult to find done well elsewhere. When I arrived, I felt a bit bruised by the criticism my community received when we started the UK’s first partnership minyan. The welcome and acceptance of Pardes was not only healing but helped me build back up to soar into my future work.  

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK?

When my work inspires the next generation of girls and young women. The change that feels difficult and slow to us will, I really believe, be an obvious given for them. A Bat Mitzvah student told me this week, “you’ve made real change happen.” – That was nachas.  

MAKE A DONATION IN MIRIAM'S HONOR

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.

We value your privacy

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies.

Accept

Privacy Policy