ou can tell that Rabbi Yehuda (Kevin) Aaronson is a builder, because as he describes his new job at Darche Noam, he keeps adding sections onto it.

Yehuda's position, Director of Development, is new for Darche Noam as well. Up until now, he explains, fund-raising has been an additional responsibility for the Rabbis, which "takes away their time and focus from what they're great at - education." Professionalizing the fund-raising operation and freeing the Rabbis and Roshei Yeshiva for teaching and learning - that's the first wing of the house.

At the same time, Yehuda will be erecting the structure for an alumni organization. "Darche Noam wants to invest in its students, both men and women, beyond their time here," he explains. "We want to maintain a personal connection - to let them know that we're here and that we care."

For that, Yehuda's tools will include educational programs, shiurim, even networking to help far-flung alumni find a chevrusa, as well as short-term and summer learning programs and Shabbatonim to bring alumni back, bring them together, and keep them in contact with their teachers. Building in part on Friends of Darche Noam organizations in the U.S., Britain, and Canada, he plans to create a network of alumni volunteers in various localities to provide an infrastructure for outreach and activities.

And then, adding an extra room onto the house, Yehuda, who has smicha, will take on light teaching duties. "I want to connect with the students before they become alumni, so that I know them and they know me."

The structure, when complete, will act as a bridge between Darche Noam and its alumni. The bridge will enable Darche Noam to continue to contribute to and work together with the alumni as well as to offer ways, as Yehuda puts it "for the alumni to give back to Shapell's and Midreshet Rachel so that others can benefit and accomplish what they did."

"Overall, my aim is to raise the profile of Darche Noam among alumni and the general Jewish population in Israel and the Diaspora." Whoops - he just added publicity onto the blueprint of his job.

An oleh from Chicago, Yehuda learned at Shapell's from 1986-89, then spent three years in an advanced learning program leading to smicha. In 1993, he earned his MBA in the joint Boston University-BGU program, worked in marketing and venture capital for several years and then created the successful "SpeedDating.com" program for Aish HaTorah. Thirty-six years old, he is married with three children.

An oleh from Chicago, Yehuda learned at Shapell's from 1986-89, then spent three years in an advanced learning program leading to smicha. In 1993, he earned his MBA in the joint Boston University-BGU program, worked in marketing and venture capital for several years and then created the successful "SpeedDating.com" program for Aish HaTorah. Thirty-six years old, he is married with three children.

Yehuda's wife Annette - a Midreshet Rachel alumna - had this to say about Yehuda coming to work for Darche Noam: "The institution gave us both so much, we learned what it means to be Torah Jews and what God expects from us. The Rabbis didn't only open up texts to us, enabling us to go to the sources and see what our Sages say on a given topic. They have also proven to be lifelong role models. Yehuda's job excites me because now we have the chance to give something back and help build Darche Noam's future."

Every house should find a builder like this.