Text Comes Alive at Pardes

Our new video, narrated by faculty member Leah Rosenthal, brings alive a passage of Talmud through a dynamic havruta (paired study) between two Pardes students. It showcases Pardes’s unique approach to living text study and our deep-rooted connection to the city of Jerusalem.

The featured story (moed katan 16b) discusses a Rabbinic decree that “you should not teach students in the open public market place.” In our piece, Machane Yehudah shuk (market) represents the public world, immersed in commercialism, exteriors, labeling and practical matters. On the other side is the beit midrash, the cerebral, spiritual world, pursuits of passion and inner life.


Video credit: Ori Salzberg

Want to understand this story even deeper? Click here to listen to the accompanying podcast by teacher Leah Rosenthal on Elmad.

Click here for the source sheet.

Continue the conversation…

Does Torah belong equally in both domains? What tensions exist between them? How do they complement each other? We hope to provoke and create debate and continue the conversation among our students, teachers, alumni and the wider Jewish world. Continue the conversation in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

You can continue the conversation in person as part of one of our short- or long-term learning opportunities. See www.pardes.org.il/programs.

Meet the stars of the video!

Jonah Potasznik (Pardes Experiential Educators Program, 2016-17)
I grew up as a camp and youth movement kid in Rockville, MD. In many ways, Pardes makes me feel like I’m back in those formative spaces: a loving community and energized environment that make the long days very much worth the effort. Before coming to Pardes, I worked for BBYO for three years in a pluralistic space, helping Jewish teens connect to their community and their tradition. The learning that I have done as a student in the Experiential Educators Program has broadened my knowledge base and skill set, and deepened my sense of purpose as an educator. Pardes helps me pass on the best parts of Jewish learning — and Jewish life in general — to the next generation of our communal leaders.

 

Naomi Burke (Pardes Fall Semester Program, 2016)
Originally from England, I recently completed my masters in Human Rights and Transitional Justice. At Pardes, I have felt very lucky to be studying amongst great individuals who share the value of grappling with Jewish texts. Studying the text reveals to me the vast number of arguments and differing opinions that exist in relation to Jewish concepts, which I find very liberating. Receiving guidance from my teachers and gaining insights from peer discussions has been fun and truly rewarding! I am now in the process of Aliyah, and am hoping to find a job in Israel which will help people live in a more peaceful society. I hope to continue my Jewish learning in parallel.

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.