I Am Sam, Sam I Am

_{JCC CEO Sam Dubrinsky (left) with husband Jamil and son Max at a welcome cookout with JCC Indianapolis board of directors and staff}

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, new JCC Indianapolis CEO Sam Dubrinsky spent much of her childhood swimming and going to day camp at the Levite JCC, not knowing that one day she would become the Center’s Executive Director. She began her JCC career as a spin instructor (and still misses teaching fitness classes), interned at Birmingham’s Jewish Federation in college and eventually become the Director of Community Impact, then moved back into the JCC world when she saw the impact it was making (and loved that she could give back to a space she grew up in). “The JCC is truly part of me, and I believe that the JCC is the future of the Jewish community,” she said. “We are the center of the community — not just the Jewish community, but the broader community as well. As we think about how Jews are coming to Jewish life today, the JCC is where many go to feel connected. I believe we truly do holy work, and it’s a privilege to do it.”

Settled in Springfield

After two years as the Levite JCC’s Executive Director, Sam had the opportunity to spread her wings and become CEO of the JCC in Springfield, Massachusetts. While in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic recovery, the board of directors had just approved funds for architectural drawings as part of a capital campaign when a fire broke out, so much of Sam’s time in Springfield was spent working through fire remediation, ensuring that programs were still continuing to the best of their ability, and trying to keep the staff glued together while at different locations. Though the fire was devastating, from the ashes the Springfield JCC was able to build three new locker rooms as well as their own JFIT space from two of their racquetball courts (almost identical to the Indy JCC’s blueprint), as well as share the JCC’s message.

“We took it as an opportunity to really amplify what the JCC was doing because we were at so many different partner agencies we were able to tell our story to about what the JCC was,” Sam said. “That ultimately led us to being able to invite local elected officials into the J, helping them realize the impact we made. They fell in love with it and were like, ‘We didn’t realize that the JCC did all of this.’ Developing those relationships resulted in a $1 million grant for renovation and expansion of our early childhood and after school care programs, as well as $50,000 in the Massachusetts state budget for security.”

Home in Indy

When Sam found out about the open CEO position at the Indy JCC, she was so excited about the opportunity presented by the JCC community. “I was so impressed with the staff and inspired by the committment of the volunteers. And to be in a facility as diverse as this JCC and to see relationships forming on a grassroots level, with rising antisemitism and hate, is incredible. We’re building friendships every hour of every day, from ECE to the fitness center,” she said. Sam has also appreciated how warm and welcoming the general Indianapolis community has been since her arrival: “There is really something special about this community.” Having already begun finding cool new restaurants and attending events like Carmel PorchFest, Sam and family are fitting right in. “I am honored to be leading our J forward,” Sam said, “and my family and I are excited to continue to make this community our home.”

Fun Facts About Sam and Family

• Sam loves to cook; she’s currently perfecting gluten-free challah (has Celiac’s, so favorite food is a good gluten-free baked good)
• Favorite book: All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
• Sam loves theatre; her favorite musical is Chicago
• Favorite word: Collaboration.
  Least favorite phrase: “That’s how we’ve always done it.”
• Sam’s husband Jamil is a CPA who loves the outdoors and Alabama football, and their son Max is a kindergartener at the Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis. They have three rescue dogs (Bea, Sally Mae and Ollie), and the whole family loves being active together.

_{Sam mingling with members in the J Cafe outside the Mordoh Fitness Center and at ECE pickup}