Partner with Pardes to equip your team with the tools and confidence to navigate polarization and foster meaningful dialogue—whether in classrooms, camps, on campus, or in Jewish organizations of all kinds.
Pardes gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Covenant Foundation, which makes this fellowship possible.
How do we foster healthy, open conversations about Israel among people with deeply divergent perspectives? And how do we create spaces where those conversations are safe, productive, and truly meaningful?
Across North America, young Jews are feeling isolated and polarized. Many are unsure where they stand, hesitant to speak, and nervous about the repercussions of engaging. Their educators—whether teachers, camp counselors, Hillel professionals, or youth leaders—are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and unprepared.
Even the strongest Israel curriculum can fall flat if educators lack the skills to facilitate conversations in a way that invites real engagement and deep understanding.
This fellowship reflects what Pardes does best: helping people lead complex conversations—especially about Israel—through a uniquely Jewish lens.
While many programs focus on dialogue skills alone, Pardes adds something deeper: an approach shaped by Jewish text, tradition, and identity.
When it comes to conversations about Israel, this approach turns disagreement into an opportunity for growth and connection. Learning how to engage across differences with those who share history, values, and culture strengthens our sense of belonging and the fabric of Jewish life.
Our customizable fellowship includes:
A framework rooted in Jewish texts and values that equips educators to facilitate hard conversations with nuance and respect.
Tools and techniques to create safe spaces, manage tension, and foster productive dialogue across educational settings.
Engaging with Jewish texts and real-world case studies that bring ancient wisdom into conversation with today’s challenges.
Workshops, role-play, and personalized mentorship from expert educators to ensure your team can apply these tools with confidence.
Support in weaving these skills into your specific programs—whether that’s an opening framework for a curriculum, a camp dialogue session, or a leadership retreat module.
– Jewish day and congregational schools
– Camps and youth movements
– Campus organizations
– Federations, JCCs and community-based education programs
– Any organization seeking to strengthen its approach to Israel education and constructive dialogue.
✅ It’s about HOW to teach and talk:
We provide skills, tools, and frameworks that empower educators to guide open, respectful, and thoughtful conversations
🚫 It’s not about WHAT position to take:
We do not provide political content or advocate specific positions. This fellowship is about building the facilitation and conversation skills that make meaningful Israel education possible—no matter your curriculum.
Aviva Lauer
Chief Education Officer & Director of Educator Programs
Sefi Kraut
Director of Mahloket Matters
Zvi Hirschfield
Mahloket Matters Educator
Pardes Faculty Member
Monica Kleinman
Assistant Director of Programs
Faith Leener
Chief Innovation Officer
For over 50 years, Pardes has led the way in inclusive Jewish learning, training over 1,000 impactful North American educators and 10,000+ alumni. Our Mahloket Matters initiative is trusted by schools, camps, campus organizations, clergy, and Jewish organizations across North America to help educators navigate difference, strengthen communities, and build bridges through dialogue.
Questions?
We’d love to hear from you! Contact Sefi Kraut (sefik@pardes.org.il) to discuss how we can tailor the fellowship to your organization’s needs.
Want to explore how the Mahloket Matters Israel Educator Fellowship can serve your educators? Fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps.
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:
Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Benefits:
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
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.