Opening Comments about Arthur Fried

When Pardes asked Susan, my wonderful mother-in-law, to choose a family member to introduce him at this event, she turned to me. On the surface this made sense. After all, Arthur dedicated much of his philanthropic work to Jewish education, and I have spent my entire adult life in Jewish education, I have a PhD in the field, and I am his son-in-law. Thus, it would be reasonable to assume that over the years he and I would have spent many hours exchanging stories, thoughts, ideas, visions, and experiences on the subject, and that I can share some of these with you today.

In reality, however, that was not the case. Most of what I know about Arthur’s commitment to, and involvement in, Jewish education and about the countless projects that he supported, I know only from snippets, passing comments and brief exchanges.

This is not because he and I didn’t have much to share or to talk about- we certainly did- but because Arthur embodied and exemplified the important lesson of פרקי אבות א, טו:

אמור מעט ועשה הרבה- “Say a little and do a lot”

Some people talk endlessly about their achievements even when they are few, whereas others say little even when they are many.

Arthur, talked very little, especially about his own work and accomplishments as the chairman and CEO of the Avi Chai Foundation, even though they were breathtakingly many, and here is only a partial list:

In Israel,

  1. Developing Judaic curricula for Israeli State schools
  2. Supporting open and pluralist בתי מדרש
  3. Producing contemporary commentaries on ancient Jewish classics such as the Siddur, פרקי אבות, חמש מגילות
  4. Creating and supporting mixed religious and non-religious pre-army academies-מכינות קדם-צבאיות- all over the country
    צו פיוס-promoting Jewish unity
  5. Building Keshet, the pluralist day-school
  6. Supporting the work of the Beit Morasha educational center
  7. Utilizing the Internet and modern technology to develop innovative resources for Jewish education
  8. Funding the production of film and other media with Jewish-Israeli themes and content
  9. Building and sustaining Beit Avi Chai for the promotion of Jewish-Israeli culture

In North America

  1. Building and strengthening Jewish Day schools
  2. Promoting Jewish summer camps and the Jewish content at these camps
  3. Cultivating and training quality teachers and educators of which the Pardes Educators program is a key contributor

He did all of this and more, quietly and under the radar, without fanfare and without taking any personal credit. He simply didn’t feel the need to talk about these things, especially when we spent time together as a family.

Furthermore, he didn’t like people talking about him or that he would become the focus of attention and, as those of you who attended his funeral know, he refused to have any eulogies so as not to have people sing his praises, and he repeatedly refused to have anything done in his honor.

So how, pray tell, can we have an event like this? A. Because it involves Torah learning which he believed in deeply, B. Because he and Pardes shared a similar vision:

  1. A commitment to perpetuating Jewish life and tradition
  2. A recognition that Jewish education, more than anything else, is the key to Jewish survival and continuity
  3. An understanding that text-based knowledge and engagement must be at the heart of Jewish education if it is to be substantive and meaningful
  4. A deep and abiding respect for Jews of all backgrounds regardless of belief, orientation or religious observance
  5. A passionate love for Israel, and a conviction that Israel is, and should always be, the center of Jewish life
    Thus, it is no wonder that Arthur was personally enamored with the Pardes Institute, and that he offered significant support for many of its projects over the years.

And that is why we, as his family, are deeply appreciative and honored that Pardes has decided to host this day of learning in his memory.

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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