Many Paths, One Pardes

Meet David & Yael, Itay & Tmima, Oliver & Elana, Riki & Jeremy and Yocheved & Ariel. Here are their journeys that led them to Pardes and the paths they have since taken.

Yocheved and Ariel FINAL Oliver and Elana FINAL Itay and Tmima FINALRiki and Jeremy FINAL David and Yael FINAL

We would love to hear your story. What led you to Pardes? What paths have you taken since? You can submit your story on Facebook or Twitter using #pardespaths or you can email them to emma@pardes.org.il.

Personal Paths

Josh Fleet:

North Florida suburban
Raised in the rain and sun
Reform roots, Conservative shoots
Solomon Schechter shaped my youth
Summers at Ramah of the South
Turned my world inside out
USY conventions between AP classes
Dreams of Phish tour, too young to access
Born a ‘Nole, schooled as a Gator
In college I learned to speak with the Creator
Jewish newspaper editor w/ journalism degree
Arrived in the Big City, not enough money to leave
Landed at HuffPost, edited the Religion page
Wrote a story about Phish, met Dori, got engaged
Moved to Israel with my beloved, a soon-to-be teacher
Envious of her learnin’, I felt drawn to join her

Leanne Lieberman:

  • USYer/Hebrew U
  • Mediator/Pardes
  • Reform Hebrew School organizer
  • Jewish YA author

#pardespaths

Kim Phillips:

I came to Pardes because, as a recent convert to Judaism, I was looking to deepen my Jewish knowledge. Had done the Sh’liach Kehillah program at HUC in Cincinnati, was teaching in religious school, and had not yet been to Israel. So my first visit ba’aretz was an immersion for sure. The first night I arrived, it was erev shabbat and we davened on the roof of Pardes facing the Kotel. I hadn’t met anyone yet, but it was so beautiful, everyone there to pray together, like a warm embrace in a Jerusalem summer night. It was on that trip that I found my calling as a Jewish artist, thanks to the creativity and generosity of the artists in that city, and the teaching at Pardes. It was a life-changing experience. My work is at www.hebrica.com … very text-based, thanks to Pardes.

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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