The Senior Educator Learning Fellowship

Bring the Beit Midrash Back to Your Community

Create Connections

Join a cohort of senior educators committed to improving their communities

Repair Discourse

Master the art of constructive disagreement and build a community of diverse thought

Summer in Jerusalem

Kickstart your learning with a subsidized two-week intensive in the Pardes Beit Midrash in Jerusalem.

Join a cohort of congregational school directors and senior educational leaders for 10 months of professional development and enrichment. As a fellow you will engage in both online and in-person learning while developing a project for your home community.

SELF begins in Jerusalem with a two-week, fully-subsidized intensive beit midrash experience with a focus on a deep exploration of how text can lead us to improving our own civil discourse. It continues back in each fellow’s hometown with monthly webinars with esteemed faculty and mentors from the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators. Each fellow will also design a project for their community that focuses on constructive disagreement. Seed funding of up to $2,000 will be available for each project.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a preferred deadline of April 1.

Program Dates

  • Jerusalem Summer Intensive: July 11 – July 24, 2025
  • Interactive Group Webinars: Monthly, September 2025 – April 2026

Eligibility

  • Six years of work experience in congregational schools
  • Works in a supervisory role
  • A desire to create change beyond the classroom

Funding

  • Program Cost: $1,000 to be paid by the sponsoring synagogue
  • Subsidy: $2,200 subsidy toward flight and lodging for the Jerusalem Summer Intensive

The Mahloket Matters Methodology

We are living in a moment of unprecedented breakdown in civil discourse.

The inability to communicate and engage in constructive discussion has caused significant pain and dysfunction, and it is showing up at work, at schools, on the streets and in our families. 

Utilizing Jewish wisdom and social psychology, the Mahloket Matters methodology seeks to foster a renewed discourse that heals divisions and offers our communities – and the world – a path forward. 

Learn more about Mahloket Matters.

Past Cohorts

  • Abra P. Lee – Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills, NJ
  • Alex Weinberg – Temple Beth Sholom, Cherry Hill, NJ
  • Anne Berman-Waldorf – Congregation Beth Chaim, Princeton Junction, NJ
  • Barbara Glickman – Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, Richboro, PA
  • Beth Young – Temple Judea, Coral Gables, FL
  • Carla Kopf – Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, CA
  • Gina Fass – Bet Torah Synagogue, Mount Kisco, NY
  • Hope Ann Chernak – Temple Kol Emeth, Marietta, GA
  • Jessica Braginsky – Forest Hills Jewish Center, Forest Hills, NY
  • Jessie Lavintman – Park Avenue Synagogue, New York, NY
  • Judith Sandman – Temple Emanu-El, Westfield, NJ & Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ
  • Juliet Gardner – Congregation Beth El, Berkeley, CA
  • Mason Voit – Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, Bronx, NY
  • Melissa Ser – Adat Shalom Synagogue, Farmington Hills, MI
  • Morissa R. Freiberg – Congregation Beth Tikvah, Worthington, OH
  • Rebecca Elkus-Ferst – Temple Israel of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
  • Rebecca Goodman – Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA
  • Roberta Axeloons – Temple Israel of Boston, Boston, MA
  • Shari Sabath – Congregation Beth El of Bucks County, Yardley, PA
  • Rabbi Sharon Litwin – Temple Shaaray Tefila, New York, NY
  • Rabbi Yael Hammerman – Ansche Chesed, New York, NY
  • Cindy B Citron – Congregation Tifereth Israel of Bucks County, Bensalem, PA
  • Rachel Barnehama – B’nai Jeshurun, New York, NY
  • Debra Beland Ackerman – Congregation Olam Tikvah, Fairfax PA
  • Sara Berk – Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, PA
  • Ariel Boxman – Temple Shalom of Naples, Naples, FL
  • Mandy Cheskis – Gesher School, Chisuk Emuna Congegation, and Beth El Temple, Harrisburg, PA
  • Alisa Fineman – Congregation Beth Israel, Carmel, CA
  • Wilhelmina Gottschalk – Alvin Browdy Religious School of Ohr Kodesh, Chevy Chase, MD
  • Abra Greenspan – Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto, CA
  • Cathy Kaplan – Kramer Religious at Beth Meyer Synagogue, Raleigh, NC
  • Beri Kaplan Schwitzer – Temple Emanu’el, Dallas TX
  • Janis Knight – Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott, MA
  • Karen Lewin – Marlboro Jewish Center, Marlboro, NJ
  • Tali Moscowitz – Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County, Bethesda, MD
  • Michele Paskow – Congregation B’nai Emet, Simi Valley, PA
  • Adam Schaffer – Temple Aliyah, Woodland Hills CA
  • Michael Schatz – Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley, PA
  • Rachel Wachtel – Congregation Beth Shalom Religious School, Seattle, WA
  • Andrea Kamens – Temple Beth Shalom,  Needham, MA / Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Newton, MA
  • Rabbi Ariann Weitzman – Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue, Montclair, NJ
  • Edward J Magiste – Temple Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, OH
  • Elizabeth Singer – B’nai Aviv, Weston, FL
  • Gail Greenberg – Temple Emanu-El, Oak Park, MI
  • H. Lee Rosenberg – United Hebrew Congregation, St. Louis, MO
  • Jennifer James – Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Philadelphia, PA
  • Dr. Jennifer Newfeld – Congregation Beth Sholom, Frederick, MD
  • Cantor Jeri Robins – Temple Chayai Shalom, South Easton, MA
  • Julie BenAvram – Westchester Jewish Center, Mamaroneck NY
  • Lynn Anne Cutler – Temple Har Shalom, Warren, NJ
  • Rachel Mersky Woda – Temple Beth El, Providence, RI
  • Serena Solomon – Agudath Israel and Temple Beth-El, New Jersey
  • Rabbi Shawn Simon Hazani – Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley, PA
  • Rabbi Suzanne Brody, PhD – Ithaca Beit Midrash, Ithaca, NY
  • Batya Glazer – Ohr Kodesh Congregation
  • Dana Berntson – Wood River Jewish Community
  • Ariana Estoque – Congregation Emanu-El
  • Mel Berwin – Congregation Neveh Shalom
  • Karen Morris – Congregation Dor Hadash
  • Tammy Stone – Congregation Agudas Achim
  • Heather Dinkin – Congregation Beth Ahabah
  • Aaron Spitzer – Temple Concord; Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School of Jewish Studies
  • Ora Jezer – Congregation Beth Sholom – Chevra Shas; Temple Concord
  • Cara Abrams – Congregation Shaarie Torah
  • Andrea McNellis – Congregation Beth Emeth
  • Jason Cathcart – Beth David Synagogue
  • Lisa Levenberg – Sha’ar Zahav

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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