Short takes

Four new JCC chief executive officers started in the past week—Paul Frishman, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Alison Trachtman Hill.

Paul Frishman became the CEO of the Galbut Family Miami Beach JCC on Sept. 1. Most recently, he was the COO of the Michael-Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach. Frishman has also been the executive director of the JCC at Milken in Los Angeles, the COO at the Valley of the Sun JCC in Scottsdale and the assistant executive director at the Alper JCC in Miami.

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus also began as CEO of Shalom Austin on Sept. 1. As CEO of an integrated community, Septimus will be overseeing the Federation, the JCC, the Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Foundation. Daniel replaces Jay Rubin, the long-time CEO, who recently retired, and will be working with Shelly Prant, JCC executive director. Daniel most recently served as director of Texas Hillel at the University of Texas in Austin.

Dr. Alison Trachtman Hill, CEO of the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center in Denver, Colorado, started on Sept. 6.  Hill was the CEO and founding partner of Critical Issues for Youth and a managing partner in Sound Advice Consulting services. She has worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations, providing support and advice on fund development, program design and implementation, research evaluation and more. She has also worked as a project manager for Girl Scouts of the USA.

Rabbi Bradley Solmsen has started as the new CEO of Surprise Lake Camp, in Cold Spring, New York. Solmsen is replacing Jordan Dale, who recently retired after 30 years as the executive director.

Solmsen most recently served as the North American director of youth engagement at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Previously he led the nationally recognized Jewish residential summer programs for high school students at Brandeis University.

Introducing: The Bender JCC of Greater Washington

Mazel tov to the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, formerly known as the JCC of Greater Washington. Thanks to a gift of $6.25 million from the Sondra and Howard Bender family to name the JCC and its early childhood center, the JCC raised $15.7 million, exceeding the $12 million goal set for its Centennial Capital Campaign.

This is the JCC’s second name change. It was originally called the Jewish Community Center of the District of Columbia up until 50 years ago, when it was redubbed the JCC of Greater Washington.

Kol hakavod to the JCC for a job well done!