Exactly one year ago today, I walked into our JCC for my second day as CEO. One year later, I am just as energized — though a little less nervous — as I was then. What excites me most isn’t just the work we do, but the way our JCC continues to be shaped, strengthened, and inspired by you — our community.

Over the past year, together we have reignited beloved traditions and launched new opportunities:

• Relaunched youth recreation so our children can grow through play and connection.
• Enhanced current offerings, such as offering pickleball clinics and extending our outdoor pool season to create more moments of joy and community.
• Opened the Marcia & Bruce Sklare JFit Studio and expanded group fitness offerings to meet growing demand.
• Deepened Jewish engagement and outreach, ensuring our culture continues to inspire.
• Enhanced the member experience at every turn, including establishing a reciprocal membership partnership with the YMCAs of Greater Indianapolis. 

We’ve also made it a priority to tell our story more often, strengthen collaborations, explore new partnerships, and connect more deeply within both the Jewish and greater Indianapolis communities.

When I reflect on this past year, I am filled with pride. My promise when I began was simple: to listen. What I heard, again and again, was how essential our JCC is, not just as a building or a program but as a living, breathing community. There’s a profound difference between being a “center for the community” and being a “center cultivated by the community.” Ours is the latter. That difference makes the connection deeper, more authentic, and truly precious.

As I step into my second year — aligned with the spirit of renewal and reflection that Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) calls us to embrace — I want to share where we are headed next:

• Strategic Planning: With the guidance of an outside firm and a volunteer task force, we are charting a bold future for completion in April 2026.
• Elevating Member Experience: Stay tuned this Sunday for exciting announcements from our Fitness department about new investments coming your way.
• Strengthening Philanthropy: Our fundraising efforts will continue to evolve, exploring new pathways to broaden and sustain support.
• Building Partnerships: We’ll deepen collaborations with partners like the YMCAs of Greater Indianapolis, Rock Steady Boxing, and IU School of Medicine, while seeking new alliances that strengthen both our JCC and the greater community.
• Listening and Responding: Above all, we’ll continue listening, adapting, and improving to meet the needs of those we serve.

Our JCC thrives because of the passion of our staff, the dedication of our Board, and the unwavering support of each member. Thank you for your trust, your commitment, and your belief in the power of this community. It is a privilege to lead this holy work — and together, we will continue to change lives in meaningful ways.

Shabbat Shalom,

Sam Dubrinsky, JCC Indy CEO