The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore has named a familiar face to be the organization’s next leader.
Paul Lurie, who has served as chief operating officer at the JCC of Greater Baltimore since 2016, will become the organization’s chief executive officer, starting Sept. 1.
The JCC of Greater Baltimore operates two locations in Northwest Baltimore: the Weinberg Park Heights and the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCCs. It is the oldest JCC in North America, according to its website.
Lurie will succeed Barak Hermann, who announced in January that he was leaving his CEO post at the Baltimore organization to become CEO of the JCC Association of North America.
“I am honored beyond measure to have this opportunity to serve as the next CEO of the JCC of Greater Baltimore,” Lurie said in a statement. “In every role I have held over the past 20+ years, I have sought to optimize the JCC’s operations, foster a positive organizational culture, and drive impactful initiatives that embody our core Jewish values. I am proud of the progress we’ve made in ensuring the JCC is a gathering place that welcomes all, strengthens Jewish identity, and builds bridges with the broader community. Together, we will continue to enrich, connect, and celebrate our vibrant Jewish community, and I am excited to lead us into the future.”
Lurie has served the JCC of Greater Baltimore – and the Jewish community at large – in various roles for more than 22 years.
Lurie’s journey with the JCC began in 2003 when he joined as JCC Maccabi experience director. He became senior program director in 2013; vice president of fitness, recreation, and aquatics in 2014; and COO in 2016.
In his current role, Lurie has overseen several renovation and construction projects, including the 2023 renovation of the Gordon Center lobby. He is also the JCC liaison to The Associated on the redevelopment of the Goldsmith Campus in Park Heights, currently in its third phase.
As the current national co-chair of the JCC Maccabi Games, Lurie helps oversee the annual summer gathering of more than 3,000 Jewish teen athletes for a week of individual and team athletic competition and Jewish engagement.
Lurie graduated from the Mandel Foundation’s Executive Leadership Program’s inaugural class of 2018 and Leadership Baltimore County’s class of 2024.
He earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and mathematics from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore.
Mazel Tov!