For 20 years, he served as the scholar in residence and director of the Jewish Resource Center of the UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local Jewish philanthropy in the world. He also served for many years as the university chaplain at Columbia University, and as the Jewish chaplain at Dartmouth College.

 

Before his arrival at UJA, Rabbi Paley was a professor of Jewish studies and dean at Bard College. He also served as vice president and faculty member at the Wexner Heritage Foundation, an organization dedicated to education and leadership programs in the international Jewish community. He also was founder and first director of the Edgar M. Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel, a program that brings together outstanding students from diverse Jewish backgrounds. Recently retired, Rabbi Paley has continued his work with Jews in Eastern Europe.