Mahloket Matters Fellowship

Rise to the Challenge and Heal the Rifts in Our Society

Break Out of Your Echo Chamber

Understand the other rather than automatically canceling, dismissing or demonizing them

Heal Your Community

Gain tools and skills to foster healthy disagreement based in Torah texts and social psychology

Find Connection

Receive professional mentorship and join a growing network of Mahloket Matters fellows and alumni.

We live in a moment of unprecedented breakdown in civil discourse.

Join an online cohort of Jewish leaders who want to make a difference. In this fellowship  you will explore the following questions:

  • What distinguishes constructive disagreement from destructive disagreement?
  • How might good people have diametrically opposing views on moral issues?
  • What are the variables to consider when determining if, when, and how to engage in a difficult conversation?
  • What are some value tensions within Jewish tradition related to specific contentious, contemporary issues?
  • What practical tools and skills can I use to become adept at considering an issue from multiple perspectives and engaging with the other?
  • How can I help foster a culture of constructive disagreement?

As part of this eight-week fellowship, you will plan and implement a Mahloket Matters Community Engagement Project using this unique curriculum, with financial support from Pardes.

Fall Cohorts begin the last week in October

Sessions meet weekly from 9:30-11am Pacific/12:30-2pm Eastern

Application Deadline: October 1, 2024

Community Engagement Project Requirements:

Each fellow will be asked to lead either a single high visibility event for 75 people or a series of events (minimum 3 sessions) for at least 10 people per session. 

Project Content options:

  • Teach pieces of the Mahloket Matters (MM) curriculum 
  • Use the MM curriculum or its content to model or facilitate a difficult conversation
  • Innovate a new way to teach the MM messaging 

Types of fellow-led programs or events could include:

  • Fellows lead discussion based directly on texts and themes cited in the curriculum.
  • Fellows use parts of the MM curriculum as a starting point to facilitate discussion about other topics
  • Fellows form a Jewish text study group or book club on themes and authors that emerge from their learning.

Other Requirements:

  • Writing – Fellows will write an op-ed piece about their experience in the fellowship. This can be for their synagogue newsletter, JCC bulletin, etc. or for an organization to which they are connected. Fellows can also write for a national or local Jewish newspaper, if they so choose.
  • Evaluations – Fellows will fill out evaluation forms at the end of each session providing feedback about their experience in the fellowship.

Fellowship Funding

Fellows will receive a $400 stipend for their participation.
Funding up to $400 is available for community engagement programs designed and implemented by fellows.

For more information about the Mahloket Matters Fellowship, contact Monica Kleinman at monica@pardes.org.

What people are saying about the Mahloket Matters Fellowship:

Past Cohorts

Community Leadership Cohort

Judy Bornstein
Steven Haber
Elyse Haber
Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás
Sophia Katz
Sarah Lisovich
Hadassah Mativetsky
Molly Moses
Dr. Larry Schooler
Judy Victor

Jewish Professionals Cohort

Mayer Adelberg
Rabbi Leah Berkowitz
Adva Chattler
Sierra Debrow
 Rabbi Neil Janes
Andi Kahclamat
Emily Kaiman
Susan Leff
Staci Rosenthal
Jennifer Saber
Rory Michelle Sullivan

Educational Leadership Cohort

Rabbi Stacey Peterson
Dr. Bella Tendler Krieger
Branden Johnson
Miranda Bass
Stephen (Shmuel) Feingold
Alyssa Silva
Rabbi Aaron Levitt
Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum
Rabbi Tracy Nathan
Jen Zak

Volunteer Leadership Cohort

Jessie Duke
Ann Elyachar
Julie Kaplan
Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein
Betsy Strauss
Sarah Victor
Tzippi Zach
Ellie Mout
Lauren Slva
Jane West Walsh
Rebecca Woolfe

Clergy Cohort

Rabbi Arielle Shimko
Rabbi David Baisor
Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein
Rabbi Greg Weisman
Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld
Rabbi Jenni Greenspan
Rabbi Megan Doherty
Rabbi Michael Werbow
Rabbi Michele Paskow
Rabbi Nathan Roller
Rabbi Peter Stein
Rabbi Shanee Michaelson
Rabbi Stephen Berger

Alumni Cohort

Rabbi Avi Spodek
Craig Borkowf
Haley Schulman
Jennifer Daks
Norys Figuera
Pia Spector
Yehudit (Yuliya) Mazur-Shlomi

Community Leadership Cohort

Dana Sender-Mulla
Danielle Tomson
Dawn Rosenblum
Jaynie Schultz
Jeffrey Bergman
Jodi Perelmuter
Mauricio Friedman
Monique Rodrigues Balbuena
Naomi Bar-Yam
Rebecca Leeman
Shel Simkin

Lay Leadership Cohort

Rebecca Speier
Adam Masser
Wendy Kalman
Kara Wilson
Amy Benarroch
Julie Tonti
Rabbi Ezra Weinberg
Jessica Fink

Alumni Cohort

Dr. Ellen Beck
Rabbi Laurie Franklin
Rabbi Raanan Mallek
Rabbi Miriam Gonczarska

Future Changemakers Cohort

Dr. Yehuda Silberman
Rabbi Samuel Kaye
Rebecca Krasner
Rabbi Kyle Savitch
Karolyn Benger
Michaela Slutsky
Emily Goldberg Winer
Dr. David Orenstein
Rabbi Daniel K. Alter
Cantor Marc Stober

Pardes Alumni Leadership Cohort

Dr. Sharon Pollin
Tadea Klein
Rabbi Tobie Weisman
Renato Huarte Cuéllar
Cantor Jana Schachter
Johanna Press
Elisheva Gray
Lilyfish Gomberg
Erica Riddick
Mira Shore
Binyamin Cohen
Ben Soloway
Andrew Spector
Dr. Laurie Fisher
Emily Simon

Rabbinical Assembly Cohort

Rabbi Penina Alexander
Rabbi Charles L. Arian
Rabbi Joshua Cahan
Rabbi Ben Herman
Rabbi Abby Jacobson
Rabbi Mordecai Miller
Rabbi Louis Polisson
Rabbi Miriam Green Potok
Rabbi Hazzan Marcia Tilchin
Rabbi Cara Weinstein Rosenthal
Rabbi Neil Zuckerman

Hillel Professionals Summer Fellowship Cohort

Joey Abeles
Sarah Balis
Sarah Birch
Jacob Brickman
Avi Dave
Rebecca Ezersky
Lily Gross
Doria Killian
Rabbi Suzy Stone
Beth Vander Stoep

Covenant Leadership Cohort

Maxine Berman
Maiya Edelson
Jonathan Emanuel
Maxine Segal Handelman
Natan Kuchar
Isabel Mares
Russel Neiss
Liz Soloway Snider
Stephanie Stavsky

Educational Leadership Cohort

Rachel Dingman
Rabbi Sam Englender
Rachel Hillman
Lisa Langer
Rabbi Daniel Levine
Rabba Claudia Marbach
Rabbi Lori Shapiro
Malka Z. Simkovich
Rabbi Ron Symons
Judith Talesnick

Rabbinical Assembly Educational Leadership Cohort

Rabbi Rachel Ain
Rabbi Natan Freller
Rabbi David Gedzelman
Rabbi Ari Kaiman
Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz
Rabbi Jill Levy
Rabbi Micah Liben
Rabbi Avi Olitzky
Rabbi Carnie Rose
Rabbi Sydni Rubinstein
Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky

Volunteer Leadership Cohort

David Benger
Valerie Habif
Jason Caplan
Merle Eisman Carrus
Rick Gordon
Leslie Kirby
Judge Bruce Manning
Zachary Schaffer
Suzanne Schreiber
Sarah Snider

About Mahloket Matters

The Mahloket Matters methodology combines social psychology with the rich Jewish textual tradition of deeply engaging with conflicting opinions in order to learn. This curriculum helps provide learners with the motivation to better engage constructively with those with whom they disagree, thereby improving civil discourse. Mahloket Matters reframes what previously felt hostile and threatening as an opportunity for connection and change.

FAQ

What is a Mahloket Matters Cohort? What if I don't fit into one?

In order to cultivate an intimate group of Fellows, we invite Fellows to learn together in targeted cohorts. These are sometimes based on profession, stage in life, physical location, or affinity group. If you don’t feel like any of the current cohorts represent you, please contact Monica at monica@pardes.org.

We meet online for ninety minutes weekly for eight weeks. We use that time to learn with our faculty, each other, and explore how we can understand ourselves better in order to engage with others l’shem shamayim (for the sake of Heaven).

Missing one session is not a deal-breaker, but we ask that you watch the recording to catch up. Each session contains crucial information that builds on the week before. The nice thing about virtual learning is that you can sign in from anywhere! We have had Fellows join us from all over the world during the eight week session.

Right now our sessions are in the middle of the day so we can learn with our amazing Israel-based faculty. If you would like Pardes to reach out to you with opportunities at other times, please let Monica know at monica@pardes.org.

Yes! We utilize a combination of full group learning (15 Fellows maximum) and havruta learning (paired study) so it is an interactive learning experience. Your presence matters and we value what you have to share. 

Fellows work on planning and implementing their Mahloket Matters Community Engagement Projects. Pardes is here to support you as you choose your audience, key takeaways, and how you’ll share this valuable learning with your community. Our faculty and staff are happy to meet in small groups or one on one to help you along the way.

Each Fellow is granted access to the entire Mahloket Matters curriculum for their use. This is non-transferable and a valuable resource for your future teaching endeavors. You will also receive access to the Mahloket Matters Teens curriculum.

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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