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Springfield JCC Names Samantha Dubrinsky New CEO

BY STACEY DRESNER

SPRINGFIELD - Samantha Dubrinksy has been named the Springfield Jewish Community Center’s new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2021.

Dubrinsky will succeed Michael Paysnick, who has served as CEO since 2008 and will retire at the end of this year.

SAMANTHA DUBRINSKY

Dubrinsky is currently the CEO at the Levite JCC in Birmingham, Ala., where she has served on the leadership team since 2018. Prior to that, Dubrinsky spent seven years in a variety of programming and leadership positions at the Birmingham Jewish Federation.

“We are delighted to welcome Samantha as our next CEO,” said Jonathan Goldsmith, president of the Springfield JCC Board of Directors. “We are confident she is going to be a wonderful, charismatic, visionary leader that will build upon the great work and accomplishments achieved by our retiring CEO Michael Paysnick.”

“I am looking forward to meeting members of the J and hearing about their unique experiences. Creating and building community are what I love most about working in the JCC field,” said Dubrinsky. “My hope for the Springfield JCC, as well as the broader Jewish community, is that despite the unprecedented challenges we’ve all faced this year, we’ll be stronger, more nimble and even more ready to move into a new era, post-COVID. The future is definitely bright and I’m so excited to lead the Springfield JCC forward.”

Dubrinsky’s selection followed a nationwide search by a 10-member search committee, chaired by J Board Vice President Richard Goldstein, in conjunction with the JCC Association of North America. “It was a pleasure working with the search committee these past few months, and it was a true team effort to find the right leader for our J,” said Goldstein. “Michael Paysnick and his team have been immensely supportive through this process, and I look forward to a smooth and productive transition.”

Dubrinsky received her bachelor’s degree SAMANTHA DUBRINSKY AND HER FAMILY. in History from Birmingham-Southern College, and holds MBA and MPA degrees coordinated with over a dozen agencies. from Troy University in Alabama. She and At the J’s Health & Wellness Center, her husband have a 20-month-old son. scores of virtual fitness programming were REIMAGINE CAMPAIGN created and personal training was moved onto the internet. In desperate times, J staff Last week, the JCC launched a $500,000 “Reimagine Campaign” aimed at ensuring overcame layoffs to help the community navigate the pandemic while giving children, continuity of programs and services amidst the unprecedented financial challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 1,000 children and special needs families depend on the J for programs and services. Moreover, thousands of adults utilize our community center to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. The J has served the community for 124 years. Now, because MICHAEL PAYSNICK WILL RETIRE AS CEO of increased costs and OF THE SPRINGFIELD JCC AT THE END OF THE YEAR. lower enrollments, they HE WORKED AT THE JCC FOR 32 YEARS, THE LAST 12 AS CEO. need the support of the community to keep offering in-person and virtual services. Back in March, the J responded to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis quickly and decisively with virtual programs to continue serving its members. From virtual classes for preschool classrooms, to do-it-yourself projects and activities for our special needs community, the J even gave hundreds of campers a FREE ‘Camp-In-A-Box’, a project parents, and seniors an outlet as everyone adapted to the ‘new normal’. “Simply closing our doors is not an option,” Paysnick said. “We will continue to offer virtual programs, reach out to our elderly friends with wellness checks, provide resources for families, and ensure creative ways to maintain physical wellness.” To participate in the “Your J Reimagined” campaign visit SpringfieldJCC.org/Donate.

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