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JCC Association of North America Appoints Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus as Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Peoplehood
New leadership role supports JCC Association’s strategic framework and deepens Jewish identity and community engagement across North America
JCC Association of North America today announced the appointment of Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus as executive director of the Center for Jewish Peoplehood, one of the three newly formed Centers of Excellence under the organization’s strategic framework. In this role, Rabbi Septimus will provide strategic leadership and strengthen partnerships with JCC executives, staff, and their boards across North America. Rabbi Septimus—who has served as a congregational rabbi, Hillel director, and, for the past 10 years, CEO of Shalom Austin—will work closely with funders and community leaders, and will oversee a portfolio that spans Jewish identity, education, and community‑building programs across North America and Israel, as well as globally.
JCC Association is advancing its work through a new strategic framework developed by President and CEO Barak Hermann in partnership with the board of directors. Central to this evolution are three Centers of Excellence: the Center for Talent Development, the Center for Jewish Peoplehood, and the Center for Innovation and Impact. The Centers are designed to bring greater alignment to the organization, strengthen and expand existing programs, launch new initiatives, and ground the work in measurement and analysis. Together, they will reshape the organization’s portfolio, connecting and supporting lay and professional individuals, communities, and the JCC Movement as a whole. More information will be shared as this work progresses.
At the heart of this framework is the Center for Jewish Peoplehood, a unified home for the programs and experiences that shape Jewish identity, belonging, and shared community across North America and beyond. The Center will bring together many of JCC Association’s most influential initiatives, including JCC Maccabi®, the Center for Israel Engagement, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®, and the Mandel Center for Jewish Education, and create a renewed strategy that positions JCC Camps of North America as a leader in Jewish day and overnight camping. By aligning and reimagining these efforts, the Center will ensure they remain responsive to today’s Jewish communities while also strengthening identity and connection and helping create a vibrant Jewish future.
Rabbi Septimus, whose appointment will begin on July 1, 2026, will act as the strategic and public head of one of JCC Association’s largest portfolios. Along with the organization’s leadership teams and board of directors, he will oversee the vision for the center and implement a network of programs that shape Jewish life across the continent, while managing a multimillion-dollar budget and a cadre of professionals, consultants, and partners.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Daniel Septimus to lead the Center for Jewish Peoplehood,” said Barak Hermann, president and CEO of JCC Association. “Daniel is a visionary leader who understands both the opportunities and responsibilities of strengthening Jewish life in this moment. His strategic experience, education, and passion for nurturing Jewish community make him uniquely suited to steward this new Center for Jewish Peoplehood. With Daniel at the helm, we will bring greater alignment and energy to some of our most successful initiatives, from educational programs and Israel experiences to JCC Maccabi, day and overnight camping, and more, ensuring they evolve to meet the needs of today’s diverse Jewish communities across North America.”
“I am honored to take on this role and to work alongside the extraordinary JCC professionals, community leaders, and partners who strengthen our movement every day,” said Rabbi Septimus. “JCC Association programs to be housed within the Center for Jewish Peoplehood are already among the most effective in Jewish life today, and I am deeply proud to champion and elevate this remarkable work. Together, we will strengthen Jewish identity, create meaningful experiences, and ensure that every program under this Center fosters belonging, learning, and connection for communities today and for generations to come.”
Currently, Rabbi Septimus is the CEO of Shalom Austin in central Texas, which serves the greater Austin Jewish community through its four major branches: Jewish Federation, Dell Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Foundation. For the past decade, he has advanced Jewish life by innovating engagement models and leading major capital initiatives. Rabbi Septimus was previously the executive director of Texas Hillel, recognized by AIPAC as Campus Partner of the Year, and prior to that, served for seven years as associate rabbi and director of congregation learning at Seattle’s Temple De Hirsch Sinai, the largest Jewish congregation in the Pacific Northwest. Rabbi Septimus graduated from Tulane University and was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is the recipient of prestigious Hartman and Schusterman Fellowships.
At Shalom Austin, Rabbi Septimus guided the organization through a transformative era of growth, resilience, and community leadership. He oversaw a $40 million capital campaign that expanded and renovated the Dell JCC facilities and enabled the relocation of Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service headquarters to the Dell Jewish Community Campus. During this period, annual revenue grew from $12 million to more than $28 million, and membership more than doubled. He strengthened engagement and philanthropy, launched a strategic plan focused on a stronger connection to Israel and Jewish peoplehood, including inaugurating Austin’s Z3 conference. Rabbi Septimus also led the community through rising antisemitism rates, convening major public gatherings, launching the “No Hate in the Lone Star State” campaign, mobilizing over 1,500 faith and civic leaders, and coordinating the local response following the October 7 attacks. Under his leadership, the community raised $2.8 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign and more than $840,000 to support families affected by the Central Texas floods.
“Rabbi Septimus brings a remarkable blend of leadership, vision, and dedication to Jewish life,” said David Wax, JCC Association board chair. “His appointment marks a significant step forward in the new vision and strategic framework being led by Barak Hermann and our board, and shaped in deep partnership with JCCs and JCC Camps across the continent. JCC Association is evolving to meet the moment—responding to the needs of our communities and to the growing call from funders and partners for greater clarity, alignment, and impact.”
Rabbi Septimus will continue to be based in Austin, enabling him to remain deeply connected to a vibrant JCC community while leading continental efforts to strengthen Jewish peoplehood. JCC Association is currently recruiting executive directors for the Center for Talent Development and the Center for Innovation and Impact.
JCC Association, in partnership with the JCC Movement, dynamically influences efforts to drive stronger Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. JCCs serve more than 1.5 million people weekly—in person, and online—and drive an economic engine that totals $1.6 billion annually.
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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads the JCC Movement, the most expansive and inclusive platform for Jewish life in the U.S. and Canada, which comprises nearly 150 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs). By virtue of its size and scope—serving more than 1.5 million people weekly, in person, and online—and with guidance and support from JCC Association, the JCC Movement dynamically influences efforts to create Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. Learn more at JCCA.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Please note that JCC Association of North America should not be referred to as JCCA or the JCC Association but initially as JCC Association of North America and as JCC Association in subsequent references.