How Joel Dinkin and the staff at Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston serve as the connective core of the city.
In Houston, Texas, when someone mentions “the J,” what comes to mind first isn’t recreation or a place to have a great workout.
It’s also a destination synonymous in the city with connection, community and the meaningful work that makes all JCCs and rec centers unique.
Joel Dinkin, the CEO of Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston, said for nearly 90 years, the center has served the community through the value of “Tikkun Olam” — a Hebrew term for repairing the world.
It’s a principle Houston reflected on the JCC, as the community rallied to raise over $50 million for new renovations to the center after it flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and experienced hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since reopening the expansive, state-of-the-art facility in 2023, membership has doubled to over 11,100 members.
“Houston has the biggest, most giving heart,” said Dinkin. “We’re a community that rallies together during times of challenge and rises to the occasion in moments of beautiful possibility. In the wake of COVID-19 and all it brought, our community made the extraordinary happen by raising millions to transform the JCC into a facility for generations to come. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of Houstonians. But what truly sets us apart is how deeply they impact us in return.”
Commitment From the Start
As a youth growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dinkin hung around the local JCC all the time.
Fast forward to today and over 46 years as a JCC professional, he insists he never saw himself in the industry for that long. However, it’s a career he’s cherished.
“What has evolved over time are two things: the J programming continues to expand and be more comprehensive, and the level and type of competition has also increased,” said Dinkin. “We have to continue to focus on our mission while also delivering high quality programs in today’s world where individuals and families have many good choices and options to meet their social, cultural, educational and recreational needs.”
The center currently has around 15 different businesses under one roof. Such offerings include early childhood education, a tennis center, a robust gymnastics program, and arts and culture all in separate departments.
Also, there’s the J’s Meals on Wheels program; a partnership with Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston around adult education and fitness-related educational programming; and collaborations with the American Camping Association, United States Gymnastics Academy and National Association for Education for Young Children.
“We look at partnership opportunities based on the program and the department and the model,” said Dinkin. “External resources and partnerships provide opportunities for us to strengthen our programs, and we look to the experts in various disciplines to better understand how to grow and develop.”
This variety of offerings not only stems from Dinkin’s lifelong commitment to the JCC, but from a pledge to fulfill the needs and wants of Houstonians.
Paige Fitzgerald, the chief wellness officer at the J, said the organization’s recent success comes from its deep obligation to building meaningful connections not just between members, but also between the JCC and the larger community.
“We provide programs that reflect the diverse needs and interests of our neighbors, while staying rooted in Jewish values and traditions that inspire inclusivity, learning and service,” said Fitzgerald. “We’re home to a nationally recognized arts and culture program, robust recreation and fitness programs, and a strong commitment to Jewish cultural celebration. Our expansive aquatics complex and state-of-the-art fitness facilities stand alongside programming like the Houston Jewish Film Festival, specialized tennis and pickleball leagues, and adaptive inclusion opportunities, allowing us to serve a truly wide range of community members.”
A Devoted Staff
While much of the JCC’s recent success can be attributed to a newly renovated center, Dinkin insists the hard-working team deserves their fair share of credit.
“We have a very dedicated staff,” said Dinkin. “I think they’re here because they choose to be here. Are we perfect? No. But I think we’re pretty good at what we do in regard to both the nature of the services we provide and in the philosophy and culture of being responsive. I say this based on the feedback, but also to be sensitive to and recognize that people choose to be here. The J is a people-oriented, people-facing kind of place. It’s a role that you must be comfortable with.”
Fitzgerald said part of why the team works so well with each other is because of their connection with members. She said staff have been at the JCC for years and even decades, which creates consistency and strong relationships. Together, they emphasize collaboration, open communication and professional growth. By encouraging creativity, supporting innovation and celebrating each other’s successes, the center fosters an environment where staff feel empowered to do their best work.
For Morgan Steinberg, the chief program officer, this environment is empowering because of its diversity.
“Our staff is wonderfully diverse representing different ages, backgrounds, religions and life experiences, which makes the JCC a truly welcoming place for all,” said Steinberg. “For many local teens, the J is their very first job. Over 150 high school and college students were employed with us during summer 2025 and many come back year after year. What makes our work environment successful is so many of our staff don’t just work here — they participate in programs, bring their families and are active members of the community.”
Repairing the World
In addition to having a strong staff and commitment to purpose, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston lives out its motto of Tikkun Olam through action.
Dinkin said when there have been community disasters, floods and hurricanes, the JCC acts as a supply distribution, collection and distribution component for surrounding communities.
For example, when the tragic floods on July 4, 2025, struck Kerrville, Texas, the center held a supply collection for families in the area impacted.
“We also have a relationship with the city of Houston and work with the Office of Emergency Management,” said Dinkin. “If there are critical needs in the city at a time again in the future, we’re a partner and can support the community, irrespective of membership and activities. Those are the values in which we sort of operate under.”
While rec centers can look very different from city to city, Steinberg said the JCC is fortunate to be located near the center of the community. With Houston being the fourth largest city in the U.S., that location can present challenges.
However, the center still manages to be part of the fabric for Houstonians across the area.
“Houston is a large and expansive place and while our location may not be the most convenient for everyone, we have a deep understanding of the needs, culture and values of the people around us,” said Steinberg. “This connection helps us build meaningful relationships, create relevant programs and be a true gathering place for our community.”
The JCC’s success isn’t just about location — it’s about the people who believe in the JCC. For nearly 90 years, donors, committee members, board members, and countless volunteers continue to invest their time, talents and resources to help the organization grow. It’s an achievement the team doesn’t take lightly.
“We simply couldn’t do what we do without a community that cares so deeply about having the JCC here,” said Steinberg. “We know the future of our JCC depends on the experiences we create for today’s younger generation. If we can inspire in them the same love and sense of belonging that so many of us feel, then they will make the Jewish community a priority wherever life takes them. That’s the kind of lasting impact that will keep us thriving for generations to come.”
A Proud Farewell
The massive renovation and surge in memberships are just two of many achievements from Dinkin’s leadership, who at the end of 2025 will retire after nearly half a century in the JCC world.
With his imminent exit, Dinkin is excited for the opportunity the next leader will have at their disposal. After reaching new heights in membership, he said the JCC is now working on benchmarking salary and benefit packages in relationship to the marketplace and ensuring the center will continue to be competitive in those areas heading into 2026.
That level of care and empathy is why his staff will cherish Dinkin’s time at the center.
“Joel’s leadership has been transformational,” said Fitzgerald. “Over his tenure, he’s guided the JCC through major facility expansions and community challenges with vision and steadiness. He has championed inclusivity, strengthened our financial sustainability and expanded our reach well beyond our walls. On a personal level, Joel’s open-door leadership style and trust in his team have fostered a culture where people feel valued and heard. His legacy is one of growth, resilience, and genuine care for both our mission and the people behind it.”
For Steinberg, she said Dinkin’s passion will be felt for years to come, not only in the spaces he helped make a reality, but the sense of pride he helped instill in the community.
“Joel seems to have been gifted with more hours in the day than the rest of us — though none of us know his secret,” said Steinberg. “Somehow, he knows all the staff, what’s happening in their departments and even what’s going on in their personal lives. There isn’t a single department that doesn’t feel seen and valued by Joel. His leadership has left a lasting mark, not only on our facilities, but on those who bring them to life both within and outside our walls.”
But what Dinkin sees as the secret to his long and successful career is simple. He said the best strategy leaders can employ is to hire the right people and then get out of the way. When that level of trust is put into the right individuals, communities can thrive.
“When we did our renovations, we raised $50 million,” said Dinkin. “That was because of relationships that exist in the community and the reputation of this center. It’s all about finding people, empowering them and getting out of the way. Leadership in today’s Jewish and nonprofit communities is exciting, challenging and often complex. True leadership lies in integrating these elements with purpose. At the heart of my work — and what I’ve valued most — are the meaningful relationships we build. The success of the J is built from meaningful relationships and a true sense of trust and belief in our desire and abilities to make a difference in our community.”
