Celebrating Myra Meskin Gurin

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 MYRA

Rabbi Myra Meskin Gurin is the Associate Director of the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys at the American Jewish University, where she’s honored to work with those engaging in meaningful identity formation through the Ziering BCI Program, the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, Marriage for Life and the AJU Community Mikveh.

SHARE A PARDES MEMORY.

Going to Turkey with Levi and dancing the Hora with Turkish Jewish women at the grand opening of the restored Great Synagogue of Edirne.

HOW DOES PARDES CONTINUE TO AFFECT YOU TODAY?

Being in a pluralistic community at Pardes is actually what helped me recognize and take pride in what I love about my particular brand of Jewish observance, and it helped me claim my voice in that conversation. Being in conversation with so many different voices helped me articulate my own in a new way that served me throughout rabbinical school and to this day. When a BCIer or Intro. to Judaism student asks me what I love about Judaism, my answers are inspired by that voice I found while at Pardes.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK?

As the Director of BCI, a summer program for Jewish young adults from around the world, I’m most proud of the community we build. A community where participants feel safe enough to express themselves exactly as they are, where they can be respected while sharing an unpopular opinion, where they can enjoy Shabbat alongside someone who practices Judaism totally differently. I’m proud that the BCI community gives participants a vision for what is possible in community, where joy is unbounded and trust and vulnerability are sacred, where creativity is holy and where every voice matters.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PASSAGE, PASUK, OR TEXT?

Shabbat 88b-89a, where Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi imagines what happened to Moses when he ascended Mt. Sinai. It forces us to face our imposter syndrome, and claim what we know to be our birthright.

MAKE A DONATION IN MYRA'S HONOR

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

My sister Diane. She lives far away, and when we’re together there’s lots of kids and noise – which is beautiful and lovely – and also, I love when we can just talk without worrying about the time. I’d ask her about her current spiritual needs and practice, something I was first inspired to think about because of her.

WHAT DOES THE JEWISH WORLD NEED MOST RIGHT NOW?

The Jewish world needs creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, and communities ready to experiment. Jewish community’s ability to survive and thrive over the generations has been due to those creative thinkers that respected the tradition while daring to step just beyond the accepted norm, and communities willing to attune themselves to a new vision and take that leap of faith.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE?

My greatest blessings are my husband Ben (Year Program ’12-’13, Kollel ’17-’18) and our 19-month-old daughter Eleanor.

MAKE A DONATION IN MYRA'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.

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