On Constructing a New Sacred Space

On Constructing a New Sacred Space

By Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper

The head of the Talmudic academy in the Land of Israel, Rabbi Yohanan, was astounded to learn that there were elderly people living outside Israel. Rabbi Yohanan’s amazement was born of his reading of the biblical verse that forms part of the daily Shema prayer:

.למען ירבו ימיכם וימי בניכם על האדמה אשר נשבע ה’ לאבתיכם לתת להם כימי השמים על הארץ

In order that your days be multiplied and the days of your children in the land that God swore to your ancestors to give them (Deuteronomy 11:21).

Focusing on the words “in the land,” Rabbi Yohanan understood that the only location that held the prospect of growing old with grandchildren was the Holy Land. Outside this unique space, the Divine blessing of longevity was not even a possibility, hence Rabbi Yohanan’s astonishment at the Babylonian elderly.

Rabbi Yohanan was mollified only when he was told that the elderly of Babylonia were people who would rise early to attend morning services and stay late to participate in the evening service, thus spending extended time in the synagogue. “That is the merit which is responsible for their longevity,” he declared (Bavli Berakhot 8a).

A question arises from this Talmudic exchange. What is the connection between longevity and lingering in the synagogue?

According to one commentator, staying longer in the synagogue or in the beit midrash is rewarded measure-for-measure by having life prolonged. The time invested in prayer and Torah study is repaid with a life extension (Rabbi Yehonatan HaKohen of Lunel). This approach teaches that despite the scriptural promise of longevity conditioned on living in the Land of Israel, there may be other deeds that warrant this gift. Indeed, the Bible and the sages detail a number of acts that merit long life.

An alternative approach recalls a fascinating Talmudic image. Our sages teach that in the future, the synagogues and houses of study that are located in the Diaspora will be uprooted and replanted in the Land of Israel (Bavli Megilla 29a). In light of this future relocation, these institutions carry a certain Holy Land quality, even while they are still located all over the world. In a sense, time spent in the synagogue and the beit midrash is time spent in the Land of Israel. Hence the blessing of longevity particular to those dwelling in the Land of Israel, extends to those who habituate the synagogue or beit midrash (Maharsha).

The idea that someone can be standing in one place physically, and yet be considered to be in another locale, is recognized in international law. Countries have extra-territorial jurisdiction over their embassies abroad, even though strictly speaking, the embassy compound is on the land of the host country. Similarly, a vessel or aircraft bearing the flag of a particular country is bound by that country’s laws, even when it leaves the territorial waters or airspace of that country.

Despite the parallel between international law and the image our sages conjure up, there remains a salient difference. International law creates a legal fiction that is limited to questions of jurisdiction. In contrast, our sages teach that despite physical location, a particular space may have an added spiritual dimension that transcends its physical confines.

As we break ground on a new physical beit midrash for Pardes with the vision of constructing an inviting sacred space in Jerusalem, we are proud that our students will continue to go forth from Zion to communities around the world. We are confident that wherever our students go, they will contribute to creating and sustaining learning communities. These Torah circles will be extensions of the holiness of the Pardes beit midrash in Israel. Our historic groundbreaking in the Holy Land promises to facilitate traces of holiness that will be carried forth by all who will to join us for the unique experience of studying within Pardes’s new walls.

This piece originally appeared in the program booklet for the Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 24, 2018.

Adapted from (Relics for the Present: Contemporary Reflections on the Talmud) by Levi Cooper, Published by Maggid and Pardes

Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper teaches Bible, Hasidut, Maimonides and Midrash at 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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