James Jacobson-Maisels

James is adjunct faculty at Pardes. He grew up outside Hershey, PA and in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He teaches Jewish Thought and Mysticism and Jewish Spiritual Practices and Meditation at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, at Yeshivat Hadar in New York City at Haifa University and at the Hannaton Educational and Spiritual Center in the Galilee.

James holds a PhD in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago, a B.A. in Philosophy and Judaic Studies from Brown University and a M.St. in Modern Jewish Studies from Balliol College the University of Oxford. He studied at the Conservative Yeshiva, the Shalom Hartman Institute and in the Advanced Learning Seminar at Pardes and received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes in Jerusalem. He has taught in a variety of settings in America and Israel on Judaism, Jewish mysticism and Jewish spirituality. In addition to teaching at Pardes, he also teaches at Drisha. He strives to integrate his study and practice and to help teach and live Judaism as a spiritual discipline.

Online learning: Click here to view online learning material from James on Elmad, online learning powered by Pardes.

Books/Publications:

  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “My Aid Will Come From Nothingness: The Practice of Negative Theology in in Maggid Devarav Le-Ya’akov.” Negative Theology as Jewish Modernity. Ed. Michael Fagenblatt. Forthcoming.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Inviting the Demons In: A Hasidic Approach to Suffering, Conflict and Human Failings.” Kerem, 11, 5768 (2007-2008).
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Non-Dual Judaism.” Jewish Theology in Our Time: A New Generation Explores the Foundations and Future of Jewish Belief. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2010.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Prayer as Transformation: A Vision of Tefillah Education.” HaYidion, Spring 2013, pp. 18-20, 31.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Tikkun Olam, Tikkun Atzmi: Healing the World and Healing the Self.” Tikkun Olam: Judaism Engages with a Broken World. Ed. Martin Cohen. Matrix Publications, forthcoming.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Receiving Blessing: The Priestly Blessings and Receptivity.” Priestly Blessings. Ed. Martin Cohen. Matrix Publications. Forthcoming.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Sanctification as Expansiveness.” Kaddish. Ed. Martin Cohen. Matrix Publications. Forthcoming.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Review, Moshe Halbertal, Concealment and Revelation: Esotericism in Jewish Thought and its Philosophical Implications.” Conservative Judaism 64:1, Fall 2012.
  • Jacobson-Maisels, James. “Review, Arthur Green, Radical Judaism: Rethinking God & Tradition.” Conservative Judaism Volume 65, Numbers 1-2, Fall-Winter 2013-2014, pp. 107-115.
    Liebes, Yehudah, “Ma’ase Merkava u-Ma’ase Bereshit as Esoteric Subjects in Philo of Alexandria.”  Trans. James Jacobson-Maisels; in: Scriptural Exegesis: The Shapes of Culture and the Religious Imagination: Essays in Honor of Michael Fishbane. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Contact: jamesmoshejm@gmail.com

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.