Meet the Union’s New Executive Director

At their annual meeting on June 24, representatives of the UMJC member congregations affirmed the Executive Committee's appointment of Deborah Pardo-Kaplan as Executive Director. 

Deborah is a native Canadian who grew up in the vibrant Jewish community of Montreal, Quebec, and the stunning city of Vancouver, British Columbia. She obtained a library degree, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in Jewish Studies from McGill University and enjoyed her decade of work at the Jewish Public Library in Montreal. Turning to a second career, she moved to the United States where she pursued a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia and then worked both as a librarian at Harvard and a freelance journalist, writing for publications such as Christianity Today and Sojourners. 

Deborah has served in the Messianic Jewish community for more than thirty-five years, including as a contract editor/writer for Chosen People Ministries, the Coalition Against Antisemitism, and the Alliance for the Peace of Jerusalem. Her leadership positions include chairing the UMJC's Dorot Task Force and the Sisterhood Committee, co-leading the twenties and thirties group for Congregation Ruach Israel in Boston, and serving as library commissioner for the City of Austin’s District 10. 

She currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Union rabbi Jonathan Kaplan. Together they have raised two brilliant daughters.

"I am looking forward to championing the Union's mission of uniting and strengthening Jewish congregations who honor Yeshua as Messiah,” Deborah says. “For me that implies welcoming more Jewish families to our congregations, fostering Jewish life and tradition in Yeshua throughout our congregations, and encouraging our communities to connect with the broader Jewish and Christian worlds. Thank you for this opportunity to serve the Union with hospitality, humility, and dedication."