How the new CEO at the JCC Indianapolis is moving her community forward.
Sam Dubrinsky had the unique opportunity to travel and visit different Jewish communities around the world early in her career. While her journeys took her to new, exciting places, she saw firsthand how many of these groups were often in a state of crisis.
Specifically, she was in Ukraine during the war in Crimea and witnessed many Jews having to hide their religion and who couldn’t be in community together. From that moment, Dubrinsky committed her career to ensuring strong Jewish communities could be found in the U.S.
“That was a defining moment for my leadership because I was seeing a community that was really struggling, and I — along with many Jews in the U.S. — come from a place of privilege,” said Dubrinsky. “So, I started writing about my experience. I realized telling that story through my writing was such an empowering gift. It allowed me to really hone my voice as a leader.”
Finding her purpose early is one reason why Dubrinsky was named the CEO of the Levite JCC in Birmingham, Alabama, and then the Springfield JCC in Springfield, Massachusetts. Those experiences eventually led her to being named the new CEO of the JCC Indianapolis on September 25, 2024.
Already in her first few months, the J is reaping the benefits of hiring a leader of Dubrinsky’s caliber.
“She’s just a gem and a great person,” said Eric Ratner, the board chair of the JCC Indianapolis. “The more time I spend with her, the more I’m glad at our fortune and our decision to bring her here. All the time I get feedback from the community about how great she is. That kind of feedback in such a short amount of time is something you don’t see often. They see her as genuine.”
A Next-Gen Leader
Dubrinsky’s path to leading three different JCCs all before the age of 40 came in part due to her first stop in the industry as an intern at the Birmingham Jewish Federation.
There, her mentor Richard Friedman, the former executive director of the Federation and the Birmingham JCC, saw her potential firsthand.
“She climbed the ladder and did a spectacular job,” said Friedman. “The executive director of the JCC had left and I was asked to run both institutions simultaneously. She played a critical role in that evolution and was the day-to-day executive director of the JCC. Then, she became the permanent director after I retired.”
Friedman said one of the most unique facets of her personality he noticed right away is while she has a warm, southern charm on the surface, inside is a tenacity and hunger that drives her actions.
“She’s a throwback to the old days in terms of work ethic,” said Friedman. “She started at the Jewish Federation and figuratively was sweeping the floors. That means no task was beneath her. She had a craving to learn every square inch of that organization. Everything she’s achieved has come through good ol’ fashioned hard work. What makes her unique is that juxtaposition between a kind exterior but a leader who is made of iron.”
That leadership was seen in both Birmingham and Springfield when both JCCs were hit with hard times.
First, in Birmingham she navigated the JCC through the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing innovative programming and by serving the community through a collaboration with the local food bank, passing out meals to those in need. Then at the Springfield JCC, a fire destroyed a significant portion of the center, and she led the organization back literally from the ashes.
“Those who she encounters want to be part of what she’s part of,” said Friedman. “I’ve seen her navigate some very complex issues that really reflect that. She’s among the few people I’ve come across who has the whole package of skills. She can relate to people with a gentle touch and engaging presence. She’s proud of what she’s achieved but she carries herself with humility. She’s one of those people where every day she wakes up, she wants to make the world a better place.”
For Ratner, he noted Dubrinsky’s valuable experience despite being on the younger end for CEOs made her stand out as a next-gen leader and someone who can lead the community for many years to come.
Making Connections
When it came time to help select the next leader of the Indianapolis JCC, Ratner said the search committee didn’t have to wait long to find who they were looking for.
“She was our first Zoom meeting in the process,” said Ratner. “After that, it was unanimous from everyone that we could see her being our next CEO. Just based on one single conversation, we all felt a connection on multiple levels. She was the standard we used to go through all the other interviews and set the tone in our minds. For us, we felt her positive attitude, decision-making process, leadership qualities and experience at two other JCCs made her a great fit.”
Luckily for the JCC Indianapolis, those positive feelings were mutual for Dubrinsky.
“The moment you walk into the JCC Indianapolis, you can feel the warmth of the community,” said Dubrinsky. “I’ve often said Indianapolis is a well-kept secret. It’s a city with a lot of opportunity to enhance the community and provide services that support community wellness. From the moment I stepped foot inside the JCC, I knew I wanted to be here.”
Shortly after arriving, Dubrinsky went on a listening tour and met with members, staff and board members. Within her first two months, she held a total of 101 meetings, with that number continuing to increase over time.
She said the common theme throughout all the meetings — even when people had constructive feedback of what they’d like to see changed — is a deep-rooted love of the JCC and the community that’s present.
In fact, she was able to meet with Gregg Hiland, the CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, to learn more about the Y’s work. Hiland immediately offered to connect Dubrinsky to leaders in the community.
“That doesn’t happen in every community,” said Dubrinsky. “That desire for connection here was very compelling for me. In Birmingham I had a phenomenal relationship with Dan Pile, the president and CEO of the YMCA there, who’s still a dear friend. I knew I wanted to meet with the CEO in Indianapolis because the work we do as YMCAs and JCCs — there’s nothing like it. We’re both founded on similar values, and we should be working together. Working with him was so uplifting and so energizing. That’s how we’re going to be successful in the community, by lifting each other up as leaders.”
Embracing Differences
While Dubrinsky’s leadership in the community of Indianapolis is making a difference, the atmosphere at the JCC is arguably its most attractive factor.
Dubrinsky said it’s the most diverse JCC she’s seen yet as membership is full of people from many backgrounds and folks who’ve been members for 30 years who have formed life-long relationships. Ratner estimated just 30% of the membership is Jewish, but the JCC’s overall membership continues to grow.
“Some of those members are of a different race and weren’t welcomed elsewhere very openly,” said Dubrinsky. “They were welcomed here and are still here all these years later. We have one board member, Darshan Soni, who is Hindu, and he’s studied the Jewish community infrastructure and has created a Hindu equivalent of a Jewish agency on college campuses and piloted his own program. That speaks a lot to how invested the board is, and most importantly really reflects the population of our membership.”
Ratner added the JCC knowingly diversified the board, which was a bit controversial at the time.
However, the decision to include different viewpoints from the community has since proved positive for the center.
“We’re very proud of the Jewish part of JCC, and you see it in our programming,” said Ratner. “But we’ve realized we’re more than just the J. We now have several board members of Christian and Hindu faith. Our staff has members who identify as LGBTQ+. Our community has embraced it as well and those who aren’t Jewish are able to see the Jewish perspective. The JCC is now a vocal point and tip of the spear when it comes to combatting antisemitism. We have so many members who choose to see the Jewish culture around them, their children see that and they grow up tolerant. I’m proud to have that diversity.”
What Lies Ahead
With a strong, new leader at the helm, the JCC Indianapolis is now positioned to grow even further.
Dubrinsky said while she’s still actively developing many of her ambitious plans, the initial goals are a completed recovery from COVID-19 by bringing back some of the programs that haven’t yet returned. That includes youth recreation and engagement efforts the community would like to see come back from pre-pandemic times. Dubrinsky said the agency will be undertaking a strategic planning process in 2025.
Also, the JCC recently renovated two racquetball courts into a functional fitness space called the Marcia and Bruce Sklare JFit Studio. This space will offer a variety of programs that meet the asks of many demographics and unique needs.
“I’ve made the mistake of moving too quickly and making changes too quickly,” said Dubrinsky. “It’s important to be curious and have an open mind and heart. Just because something works in one community, doesn’t mean it will work in a new community. It’s easy to rely on the success you’ve had at prior JCCs, but it does your new center a disservice if you’re not keeping your ear to the ground and understanding what’s specific to what the community needs and wants.”
With Dubrinsky as CEO and the J’s finances in a good state, Ratner said leadership can now focus on enhancing staff development in new ways to take a growth step forward.
“We have to come up with a new strategic plan and take educated risks,” said Ratner. “You must get out there if you want to grow. She defines the word professional, is prepared for every single conversation and has a purpose when meeting with people. She’s that person who will help us grow and think big now.”
Despite her career success and a bright future on the horizon, Dubrinsky’s core is still filled with the passion she had as an intern at the Birmingham Jewish Federation.
“I feel really lucky I’ve had many opportunities for growth at a fairly young age,” said Dubrinsky. “I’m so proud of our team and all they’ve accomplished. After navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and leadership transitions, the team is cohesive, deeply invested in the mission of the JCC, and creates a safe environment for our community daily. I could not ask for a better leadership team as we lead our JCC forward. I’m excited to take our JCC to new heights.”
