OUR IMPACT

2026 ALUMNI IMPACT STUDY · PARDES INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES

Learning.

Leadership.

Legacy.

For more than fifty years, Pardes has invested in people.
A new study of 760 alumni reveals how immersive Jewish learning shapes identity, develops leaders, strengthens communities, and influences thousands of others through a powerful multiplier effect.

Download the report

Read the highlights

96%

of Pardes alumni serve as trusted Jewish knowledge sources in their families, communities, and professional lives.

96%

of Pardes alumni serve as trusted Jewish knowledge sources in their families, communities, and professional lives.

ABOUT THE STUDY

This study examines how immersive Jewish learning translates into lifelong engagement, leadership, and influence.

760

Alumni surveyed

24

In-depth interviews

5

Decades of programs

54

Years of alumni impact

760

Alumni surveyed

24

In-depth interviews

5

Decades of programs

2

Independent research partners

Conducted in partnership with Research Success Technologies (Ezra Kopelowitz, Ph.D.) and Markowitz Consulting (Stephen Markowitz).

THE COMPOUNDING OUTCOMES

Four stages of impact,

building one on the next.

01  Identity

A strengthened Jewish identity — love of learning, joy in Jewish life, and commitment to integrating Jewish values into daily decisions, sustained over a lifetime.

02  Competence & Confidence

The knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage Jewish texts, ideas, traditions, and communities with depth and authenticity.

03  Leadership

The capacity to lead institutions, communities, classrooms, organizations, and conversations with wisdom and integrity.

04  The Multiplier Effect

The ability to teach, mentor, inspire, and influence others, extending Pardes learning far beyond the Beit Midrash.

BY THE NUMBERS

96%

serve as trusted Jewish knowledge sources

75%

report a strong connection to Israel

21%

have founded Jewish institutions or initatives

38%

built relationships across denominational differences

THE RECIPE

What makes the Pardes impact last.

01  Text & Torah Study

Direct engagement with Torah and Jewish texts develops the confidence and wisdom to lead, teach, and shape Jewish life across generations.

02  The Jerusalem Experience

Living and learning in Jerusalem leaves a profound mark, shaping how alumni engage with Israel decades later.

03  Faculty Mentorship

Faculty serve as mentors and models of intellectually serious Jewish life — relationships that continue long after the program ends.

04  Pluralistic Engagement

Learning across differences develops the skills to navigate complexity, disagreement, and diverse Jewish perspectives.

05  Enduring Relationships

Friendships, professional collaborations, and havruta partnerships sustained across decades.

“Pardes gave me the literacy and the courage to be the Jewish person I wanted to be — and the network to keep becoming her.”

MAYA ZINKOW · CAMPUS RABBI, UC BERKELEY HILLEL

READ THE FULL STUDY

The Impact Doesn’t End With the Student

The study shows that Pardes alumni become educators, founders, clergy, professionals, and community leaders who bring Jewish wisdom into every arena of life.

The result is not only transformed individuals, but stronger institutions, richer communities, and a growing network of people shaped by their influence.

Download the report

Transforming Jewish Learning & Leadership

Discover how Pardes is shaping the future of Jewish leadership, learning, and community. Our latest impact study reveals how immersive Torah study and a vibrant Beit Midrash experience empower students to engage deeply with Jewish life, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their connection to Israel.

At Pardes, we believe in the power of Jewish learning to inspire individuals and strengthen communities. This comprehensive impact study highlights the transformative experiences of our students—whether they come for a year in the Beit Midrash, join our educator training programs, or participate in short-term immersive learning. Explore the data and stories that showcase how Pardes fosters lifelong Jewish engagement, leadership, and community building.

Download the full study to see how your support fuels this impact.

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Essential Insights from the Study

89%

of students cited deepening their knowledge of Jewish texts as a primary reason for attending Pardes.

84%

of students expressed a desire to continue engaging in Torah study after their Pardes experience.

86%

of educators in Pardes programs expressed high motivation to serve as leaders in Jewish education by the end of the program (up from 38% at the start).

86%

of educators in Pardes programs expressed high motivation to serve as leaders in Jewish education by the end of the program (up from 38% at the start).

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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