Jessie Mallor: Building the Jewish Future

For teacher Jessie Mallor, working as a Jewish educator at Milken is more than just a job. “I had an epiphany – like a voice from heaven was calling me to this profession,” she says.

“I believe teachers are caretakers in the garden of HaShem [God], and all of us have a

responsibility to make ourselves pillars of the house of Israel.”

It’s a responsibility Mallor takes seriously. Through her classes in Introduction to Jewish

Thought, she inspires students with her passion to create meaningful Jewish experiences for

them, and she enables them to gain a nuanced understanding of what makes Jewish learning so unique. “Judaism is both deeply spiritual and deeply practical,” she says. “I love that about our tradition: There’s such a focus on elevating human dignity and making sure everybody feels they have a sense of worth. By reaffirming this and passing it down to subsequent generations, we move closer to creating a truly just society.”

From Mallor’s perspective, advancing justice requires equipping students with the tools they will

need to make meaningful strides in their chosen fields of endeavor. “My colleagues and I are

helping develop future rabbis, teachers, lawyers and other leaders – the next generation of people who will shape the Jewish future,” she says. “By the time they leave Milken, I hope they have learned how love and pride in their people can become a catalyst for action.”

Through courses like Introduction to Jewish Thought, Mallor says, Milken gives students an

invaluable opportunity to discover where they fit into their community and how they can wield

their influence as a positive force for change. “There are a lot of adults out there who have never had a moment to sit and think about this stuff, but it’s so important to do it,” she points out.

“Where we stand on these big issues informs the way we interact with everyone around us and

also empowers us to make choices about the right path to take.”

As Mallor sees it, just as a Milken education is a blessing for its students, so, too, being part of

the Milken family is a privilege for its teachers. “This is a place that models warm, loving Jewish

community,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be somewhere so supportive and affirming – where

every stakeholder has a strong voice and a dedication to doing good.”