Dear JCC Indianapolis Members and Friends: 

As we approached Thanksgiving — grounding ourselves in gratitude, reflection, and the simple act of gathering — I thought about what it means to pause and truly take stock of our blessings. During the month of November, those blessings showed up at our JCC in ways I didn’t expect, each one reminding me of why we do what we do.

Early one afternoon, a woman stopped by with a $100,000 check to support families who otherwise couldn’t afford our childcare. She mentioned that there would be an additional gift from her mother. I was floored — and deeply grateful — knowing how many families these funds would help.

Soon after, the mother’s quiet call came, confirming an additional gift bringing their total contributions to $150,000. They insisted on no recognition — no announcement, no public thanks. 

In their voices, I heard something profoundly moving: a deep belief that every child deserves access, every parent deserves support, and every family deserves to belong. Their anonymity wasn’t just humility — it was compassion in its purest form.

Towards the end of that same week, we received a generous and unanticipated $36,000 gift to the Hand in Hand Annual Campaign from a couple, longtime members and donors, who simply said they knew the campaign needed their support. There was something steadying in that moment — the quiet assurance of folks who have walked alongside us for years and continue to believe in who we are becoming.

Then came a call from a donor who, in the past few years, had been a little distant from the JCC. She shared that she wanted to make a gift of $25,000 this year and has already committed $25,000 for 2026. When I thanked her and asked what inspired this incredible generosity, she told me she grew up at our JCC and is genuinely thrilled by the direction we are heading. Her gift felt like a return — a full-circle expression of gratitude for a place that shaped her, and a desire to help ensure it continues shaping others.

And earlier this week, another moment stopped me in my tracks: an unexpected $50,000 check from a Foundation whose leaders have shared how deeply their own JCC memories shaped them. They want that same sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to continue for future generations, especially now, when community feels more vital than ever.

Late Wednesday afternoon, once the hallways quieted and folks headed home to begin settling in for Thanksgiving, I sat for a moment in my office and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. These powerful expressions of appreciation by our donors — including our Board of Directors (100% participation), Past Board Chairs (97% participation), and staff giving meaningfully — are more than just dollars. The gifts — no matter their size — are generous reflections of love, appreciation for being part of something larger than oneself, and gratitude. Isn’t this what Thanksgiving is about?

While the thank-you’s and affirmations sometimes come directly to me, I want you to hear this clearly: the validation is for all of you. Each and every member of our JCC family. You — our members, staff (especially our staff!), friends, Board, volunteers, and all others who joyfully come through our doors — are the ones creating the experiences that are inspiring these new levels of generosity. You are the ones who gift our JCC and community with energy, vitality, creativity, community and optimism every single day!

As we begin the holiday season, I find myself incredibly grateful — not just for the dollars that have come in but also for what those dollars represent: Trust in our work and institution, celebration of our enduring impact, and a belief that what happens inside our walls matters. It always has and, thankfully, always will.

Wishing you and your families a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude, connection — and, of course, great food!

Sam Dubrinsky, JCC CEO