New Year, New Team

Dear friends,

I am so very excited to share our new staff structure at the J. Next time you come to the J, you’ll see some new faces, as well as some familiar faces taking on new roles and responsibilities. I believe deeply in the team we have assembled at the J: each person is talented, passionate, and brings a unique perspective. Our new structure will afford us increased interdepartmental collaboration so that we can best serve our entire membership and community. Our new structure has 4 work streams:

1. Wendi Weingartner has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director, overseeing Member Services, Fitness, Marketing, Development, and Senior/Adult Services. Get ready for a slew of new programs coming from JFit, targeted to meet each member’s individual fitness and wellness goals. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @siegeljcc to stay up-to-date on all the fun we’re having at the J. We are also hard at work building the next season’s curriculum for the Delaware Valley Learning Institute, with a variety of topics to spark thoughtful discussion. Additionally, we have 2 promotions: Katie Glazier to Membership Director and Anna Saul to Marketing & Communications Director.

2. Mona Duwell has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director, overseeing all Youth programming, Recreation, and Aquatics. This school year, our Pre-K program will be revamped to better ensure Kindergarten readiness. We will be offering Youth Social Club membership to our friends in grades K-5 and 6-8, providing access to monthly kids’ night in, parents’ night out activities. We will also be expanding the hours of operation of babysitting and adding supervised options for school-age children. In our ECC, Pam Kreuer has been hired as the Director, focusing on admissions and curriculum, and Amie Baker will continue developing our teaching staff in her role as Assistant Director. Additionally, Carrie Kee will be returning to the J following several successful years with UD Hillel and taking on the new role of Recreational Services Coordinator.

3. We have hired a new Facilities Director, Aris Kufasimes, who will carry on our tradition of maintaining an impeccable campus.

4. Elena Kupchik continues to oversee Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology for both the J and Jewish Federation of Delaware.

I also want to express my gratitude to Brent Saliman for taking on the role of President of our Board of Directors. Brent has shown strong leadership on the Board and the Finance committee (among others), and I know that he will bring great vision to drive our J forward.

I am grateful to our members for their support of our community-building efforts at the J. I am confident that our team will continue to deliver programs and services to inspire and connect people.

B’Shalom,

Ivy

Wendi Weingartner – Assistant Executive Director

17 years at the J

Positions held: Senior Director, Membership Director, Director of Member Services

“After 17 marvelous years at the J, I am thrilled to move into the shoes of Assistant Executive Director. My co-workers have become my family and my friends. I am grateful for our J members who add to our wonderful community every day.”

Mona Duwell – Assistant Executive Director

15 years at the J

Positions held: ECC Teacher, ECC Director, Director of Youth Services

“As Bill Belichick said, ‘on a team, it’s not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together.’ This could not be truer for us at the J. Every single person plays a vital role in our success and growth, and I am privileged to take on the Assistant Executive Director role.

Katie Glazier – Membership Director

10 years at the J

Positions held: Assistant Director of Youth, Family, Teens, & Camp, Assistant Director of Special Projects, Special Projects Director

“The J has always felt like home to me. Our membership is so diverse, and that’s one of the most special things about this place. The staff here are like family to me; we support each other and work together to make the J the best it can be for our members, and we do it with smiles and laughter. I’m grateful every day that I get to be here.”

Anna Saul – Marketing & Communications Director

1.5 years at the J

Positions held: Executive Assistant

“I feel so incredibly honored to be tasked with sharing all of the wonderful things about the J with our community. I am proud to work here every single day. I have found the community to be so welcoming and my fellow staff members like extensions of my family.”