Pardes Strategic Plan: 2023–2025

Strengthening Jewish Life Through Inclusive Torah Study

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE THE IMPACT OF PARDES: 2023–2025

“The courses at Pardes make Jewish texts come alive and provide meaning in so many realms of life. Beyond any specific class, there is a phenomenal energy among the student body. It is a transformative environment.”

Ilan Glazer

Year Program 2010 and Summer 2010

OUR MISSION is to ensure that Jewish learning is a life-long endeavor that inspires students to engage in Jewish life as communal and spiritual leaders, educators and active participants worldwide. By creating radical access to traditional sources and world class scholars in open, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous environments, we enable diverse Jews to cultivate a life-long relationship with Jewish learning, the Jewish people and Israel.

Pardes creates open, inclusive, diverse and intellectually rigorous environments that engage a wide spectrum of Jews in the study of classic texts and ideas, students intense experience inJewish life and tradition. Pardes cultivates a lifelong love of Jewish learning, the Jewish people and Israel, and inspires students to engage in Jewish life as communal and spiritual leaders, educators and active participants worldwide.

WE ENVISON a renewed Jewish life anchored in Jewish knowledge and literacy, which places the study of Jewish texts at the center of Jewish life, enlivened with contemporary relevance. Jewish study is a roadmap, helping people to navigate the contemporary world. In short -- the Beit Midrashification of Jewish Life.

Table of Contents Page INTRODUCTIONS 3 VISION FOR GROWTH

6

CORE VALUES 7 THEORY OF CHANGE

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HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR GOALS 9 Build On Our Programatic Success 10 Build our Presence in North America 10 Build The Team That Leads Us 11 Build Capacity for Organizational Leadership 12 Build Our New Home 13

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2022–2025 We firmly believe that Torah study must be the way for Jews to connect to their tradition and with one another. Pardes is the premier destination for pluralistic Torah learning and exploration, and we are on a growth trajectory to reach further than ever before.

Just as our teaching is anchored in ancient text, our plan for the future draws from all that we have learned. Imagine with us what Pardes can be just three years from now: the global platform for meaningful and accessible Torah study that fosters a sense of belonging and community.

We know that Pardes enriches Jewish lives from young adulthood to old age and serves both those who seek immersive experiences and those looking for shorter-term encounters.

This strategic plan lays out the components needed for Pardes to reach its full potential

as a leading global incubator and accelerator of Jewish knowledge and the institution to which the most engaged lay and professional Jewish leaders from around the world turn to Jewishly nurture and inspire themselves and their communities, for our generation and for generations to come.

Mark Freedman CHAIR, NORTH AMERICAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brad Grob CHAIR, ISRAEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HOLDING ON TO OUR PAST TO MOVE FORWARD In my six years at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies, I have spent time teaching and learning from one of my favorite rabbinic texts, the description in the early Rabbinic midrash of Moshe remembering to take the bones of Joseph with him as the children of Israel escape from Egypt.

Usually, I teach this text to explore what it means to be a living embodiment of Torah.

As we embark on a three-year strategic plan, I think about this text in a new way: How can we hold on to our past in a way that helps us to move forward? Just as Joseph’s bones symbolized the foundation upon which the Israelites could build their future, the rich and storied history of Pardes must be our launching pad, the basis for our own transformation as we march toward our bright future.

Pardes has inspired five decades of Jewish leadership marked by openness, passion, knowledge and inclusivity.

This is our hallmark, and it will continue to strengthen us and our community in future generations. Pardes alumni educate, inspire, and transform their own students peers and communities on a daily basis. Our impact is far-reaching and

long-lasting — over 1,200 Pardes alumni are past, current and future Jewish professionals.

As we begin to implement our strategic plan, we do so within the context of ever-evolving Jewish identities. While our year-long immersive programs will remain our signature offering, the Pardes commitment to learning will increasingly need to adapt and expand to accommodate the new ways in which Jews think about religion, denominationalism, and personal growth.

Our ability to reach more learners, in more places, is only possible because of the strength of those who walk alongside us. Moses didn’t carry the ark with Joseph’s bones himself. Over 40 years, numerous people stepped up to fulfill the task. What a blessing it is for Pardes to be able to draw from the power of our community. We invite you to join us as we work to strengthen Jewish life around the world.

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

Leon A. Morris PRESIDENT, PARDES INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES www.pardes.org.il

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OUR HISTORY In 1971, Michael Swirsky seeded the idea of an educational institution in Jerusalem that would provide entry to the world of Jewish religious learning with no agenda other than to facilitate knowledge. Its approach would be nondenominational and open-ended, combining the spiritual seriousness and non-instrumentalism of the yeshiva with the intellectual openness and tolerance of the university. A one-year, noncredit study program would be tailored to postcollege young adults, primarily from North America.

The institute, which named Pardes—suggestive of the mystery, multifacetedness and fruitfulness of Torah—opened its doors in the fall of 1972 with a student body of 25 and an exciting roster of teachers.

Because of its independence, Pardes has the unique ability to create and adapt to meet the needs of an ever-evolving Jewish world. Innovative educational opportunities have been added to the curriculum, and its faculty expanded.

Throughout its 50 years, Pardes has instilled a life-long love of learning by creating an open, inclusive, diverse and intellectually challenging Jewish learning community.

WHAT MAKES PARDES UNIQUE? The Torah we engage with is distinguished by four elements that differentiate the impact Pardes has on its learners and their communities:

DEPTH OF LEARNING AND WORLD-CLASS FACULTY COMMITMENT TO PLURALISM, CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES, AND MAINTAINING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL JEWS, REGARDLESS OF GENDER, DENOMINATION OR BACKGROUND EMBRACING DIVERSITY OF IDEAS THROUGH A SPECTRUM OF VOICES, QUESTIONING AND HAVRUTA/PEER DIALOGUE

ACCESS TO TOOLS FOR A FULLER ENGAGEMENT WITH JEWISH LIFE

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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THE CHALLENGES THAT FEED OUR FUTURE

Vision for Growth

Pardes has identified five strategic priorities that support our mission and vision as a plan for growth.

BUILD ON OUR PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESS Affirm our focus on our core competency - education. Increase access to our innovative opportunities for learning by building measured capacity and sustainable programmatic growth.

OUTCOME Expand on our best-in-class programs to serve and inspire more learners of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs who directly and indirectly shape their personal and professional communities in meaningful and substantial ways.

BUILD OUR PRESENCE IN NORTH AMERICA Increase our sphere of influence by maximizing our role as the central address for Torah study, particularly in North America.

OUTCOME Develop affinities for Pardes by increasing access to our leading voices Jewish learning.

Serve as the vital Jewish learning resource that others look to when adding Torah study in to their programs. Engage our alumni base in new ways.

BUILD THE TEAM THAT LEADS US Invest in human capital and a stable structure to implement our growth plan.

OUTCOME Cultivate professional and lay leaders who work seamlessly to provide appropriate oversight, operations and revenue generation. Exceptional people and professional development will position Pardes to better deliver on our mission.

BUILD CAPACITY FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE Optimize our strengths and secure our financial future through actions and strategic communications.

OUTCOME Achieve operational effectiveness and financial stability by supporting the twoway relationship between program success and organizational strength and sustainability. This will result in the next level of maturity for our organization and enhancing our ability to have a positive impact on students.

BUILD OUR NEW HOME Create and activate first-class facilities and infrastructure.

OUTCOME A new infrastructure — in our new home

in Jerusalem as well as throughout the world — will align resources, expertise, and technology to support our learners and partners, and optimize our strengths to pursue manageable growth.

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

www.pardes.org.il

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THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WILL BE DRIVEN BY OUR CORE VALUES A LOVE FOR THE STUDY OF TORAH, BOTH FOR ITS OWN SAKE AND FOR THE SAKE OF PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL TRANSFORMATION PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF COMMUNITY-BUILDING IN WELCOMING MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES AND CONSTRUCTIVE DISAGREEMENT DEEP CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE JEWISH PEOPLE WORLDWIDE AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL AS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR ZIONIST COMMITMENT Pardes enriches Jewish lives from young adulthood to old age and serves those who seek out immersive experiences and those looking for shorter-term encounters. In all of its programs, Pardes serves as an incubator and accelerator for knowledgeable and engaged Jewish leaders, lay and professional, in North America and throughout the world.

On September 1, 2025, we will reflect on Pardes as the global platform for meaningful and accessible Torah study. Our approach and growth will foster a sense of belonging and community, reaching 127% more learners than we did when we began the implementation of this plan.

The growth of Pardes will increase our impact around the globe. Our powerful immersive model, central to the success of our mission, gives learners the most significant outcomes.

GROWTH IN ISRAEL 30% GROWTH 75% GROWTH

370

483

2022 2025 Participants: Immersive Programs

171

300

2022

2025

Participants: Short-Term Programs

GROWTH IN NORTH AMERICA 2022

8,000

2025

30,000

275% GROWTH

Participants: In Person + Digital Programs A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

www.pardes.org.il

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THEORY OF CHANGE WHAT Pardes is the central address for interdisciplinary initiatives, partnerships and creative programs. We are an inclusive and equitable learning establishment aiming to serve a wider community.

HOW Build THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE + OUR INFLUENCE AND IMPACT + INTERNAL CAPACITY + AN OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION SO THAT More people become engaged with Jewish texts, are open to a diversity of viewpoints and bring others into the conversation.

THE CHANGE WE SEEK We aim to promulgate an understanding that Torah belongs to everyone, bringing that idea to life by a cadre of learners and alumni with broad access to tools that increase engagement through Torah and the enthusiasm and encouragement to create and incubate new forms of Jewish life.

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

www.pardes.org.il

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HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR GOALS

BUILD ON OUR PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESS Affirm our focus on our core competency - education. Increase access to our innovative opportunities for learning by building measured capacity and sustainable.

Programs

Growth Rate

Pardes Teacher Fellows (formerly PEP) Training new Jewish studies teachers for community day schools in North America

100%

Year Program Our signature 9-month offering

25%

Pardes Experiential Educators Program Training educators for camps, youth work, supplemental schools

100%

Summer Programs

40%

Pardes Learning Seminar Our 5-Day Pardes Experience for Lifelong Learners

122% (Summer) 163% (Winter)

BUILD OUR PRESENCE IN NORTH AMERICA Increase our sphere of influence by maximizing our role as the central address for Torah study, particularly in North America.

GOAL

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Establish Jewish learning as a normative expression of Jewish identity by connecting “non-native” learners to Jewish learning via the Pardes pedagogy

Affinity Cohorts & Fellowships online and in-person learning groups that bring both “non-native” and “returning” learners

Elevate the Jewish communal field by creating opportunities for a wide array of staff and educators to increase their competence and confidence in accessing and using Jewish texts and traditions to guide their work

Strategic partnerships with Jewish organizations to create workplace “Batei Midrash” and to offer learning, skill development, certifications and trainings for Jewish professionals and lay leaders

Empower and uplift Pardesniks Cultivating and uplifting diverse thought leadership by faculty and in their lifelong Jewish learning, Pardesniks that expands and deepens the communal conversation around leadership and scholarship the Torah’s relevance on contemporary issues Pardesnik activation in peer-engagement models to create hyper local Jewish engagement and learning opportunities A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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BUILD THE TEAM THAT LEADS US Invest in human capital and a stable structure to implement our growth plan.

Goal

Key Performance Indicators

Create a board (composition, • numbers, diversity and skills) that is educated, engaged and activated around optimally supporting the vision Foster and operationalize a core • values-driven culture for faculty, • staff and board

Execution of board strategy and deliverables according to the timeline

• • •

Build organizational capacity and structures to attract, retain and develop top talent to support the vision

•

Create a recruiting plan that supports the growth plan of the organization

•

• •

•

Successful clarification and affirmation of core values Actionable “Culture plan” to bring aspired values to life with desired behavioral norms, including a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work Inclusive process to align staff and embed ownership of culture at Pardes implemented Engage senior leadership team around organizational needs, senior staff structure and capacity building Develop an organizational structure, roles, and rollout plan anchored in five distinct areas: educational programming, marketing, development, operations and North America Staged hiring and onboarding plan, compensation philosophy and related deliverables identified in the plan Identify specific needs for HR support and create a rollout plan Further develop and implement a framework for effective engagement via performance feedback & evaluation, professional development and engagement initiatives Conduct a baseline analysis of current recruitment efforts and specific issues we are trying to solve Increased enrollment, with the appropriate increase to be program-specific

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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BUILD CAPACITY FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE Optimize our strengths and secure our financial future through actions and strategic communications.

Goal Acquire and leverage best tools, technology and systems to ensure excellence across the organization

Key Performance Indicators • • • • •

Creating a strategy to fund the entire strategic plan

Conduct a baseline analysis of current systems and break down into appropriate categories Research, customer data collection and benchmarking for each system Improvement of systems across Pardes Streamlining of required systems and eliminating redundant systems Improving access to data and production of useful data

Engage funder support as shown through a completely funded Strategic Plan Examine and select one of the following models for partnership programming: • Joint fundraising with major foundations • Parlay the success of these partnerships into increased fundraising from individuals and foundations • Charge appropriate fee-for-service

Create an integrated marketing and communications plan that clarifies our brand/messaging, builds awareness, raises our profile and supports recruiting and fundraising efforts

• •

Delivering the marketing plan on time and on budget Establish the necessary systems and working relationships between Pardes faculty and staff in Israel and the marketing department that allow the successful and effective creation and marketing of the programs

Create a comprehensive fundraising infrastructure based on a comprehensive campaign, including completing the capital campaign; completing the two minyanim ($250,000 and $100,000); and designing and implementing a major gift strategy, a Netzach (bequest) strategy and an alumnus giving strategy

• •

Delivery of development strategy Support reaching fundraising milestones, both in terms of the number of dollars and number of donors, according to plan Major gift, Netzach and alumni giving outcomes to be determined by the strategy team

•

Leverage our world-class faculty for • online learning, podcasts, and other digital educational resources and learning series

Podcasts - launch new podcasts, clean up the marketing and podcast platform in ways that drive new people to Pardes podcasts and that make it easier to subscribe and list to individual podcasts.

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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BUILD OUR NEW HOME Create and activate first-class facilities and infrastructure.

Goal

Key Performance Indicators

Leverage the new facility for maximum educational and cultural offerings, increasing the public presence of Pardes, and positioning Beit Karen as a destination for locals and visitors

•

Complete and fully activate Beit Karen to best achieve the institution’s goals according to the existing pla

• •

• • •

Do a “landscape analysis” including a mapping of cultural, educational and religious programming in south Jerusalem Successful implementation of local community engagement plan Numbers of groups and participants engaging in the facility Implement new partnerships with select gap-year programs for immersive Jewish learning in new building Moving into fully functioning facility Remain on schedule and on budget

A 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE OUR IMPACT: 2023–2025

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“The diversity of the Pardes community adds so much to both the learning environment and to the daily conversations in the halls. Every day I am inspired by the opportunity to see Judaism through a new set of eyes.”

Yoni Shear Summer 2007, Educators Program 2009-2011