Annie Keith has left the Mandell JCC in West Hartford to become CEO of the Levine JCC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Annie Keith at a Singing Bowls mediation session at the Mandell JCC. Courtesy photo

Submitted 

After 16 years as COO of the Mandell Jewish Community Center (JCC), Annie Keith’s final act this month was honoring the impact the JCC has made on her life and the community by participating in 16 JCC activities over 16 days to represent her 16 years of work.

Her philanthropic adventure included attending a spin class, eating lunch at the J Café, joining her son Patrick in leading an arts and crafts project in the afterschool program, participating in Shabbat in the pre-school, and a Singing Bowls mediation session with a group of colleagues and friends. For each activity, she made a contribution to her Designated Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation to benefit the Mandell JCC. She’ll also ask people in person, by email and through social media to make gifts to her fund – whatever approach it takes to inspire generosity!

“I can’t imagine what my life, and my family’s life, would be without the Mandell JCC,” Keith said. “I started at the JCC with my kids in the preschool, then I got involved with the PTO and met most of my close friends here,” she explained. “I want to pay it forward so others can enjoy the endless benefits of the Mandell JCC.”

This isn’t the first time Keith has sparked creative excitement for giving back. Leading up to her 50th birthday in 2016, Keith did 50 group exercise classes at the Mandell JCC. Each time someone joined her for a class, she made a contribution to the JCC in their honor. “I wanted friends to be part of my 50 for 50 challenge to celebrate with me and let them experience firsthand the impact the JCC has had on me.”

“For 16 years, Annie Keith has made an indelible impact as an inspirational leader,” said Elana MacGilpin, senior development officer at the Jewish Community Foundation. “Her idea to inspire gifts to her fund this month is just one of the many thoughtful ways she has supported the community.”

Want to celebrate your special occasion and support your favorite organization? Contact Elana MacGilpin at [email protected] or 860-727-6180.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.