As I begin my term as co-president of JFGI with my partner in all things Federation, Todd Maurer, I’m excited to share more about myself and why I am eager to be taking on this new role. My husband and I raised three pretty amazing (if I don’t say so myself) kids, all of whom went to preschool and summer camp at our JCC, and one who also went to GUCI and Six Points Jewish sports camp in later years. We added a fourth “adopted son” to our family when, in 2005, we hosted an Israeli shaliach in our home when he came to Indianapolis to be a camp counselor at JCC’s summer camp. We still consider him to be a family member 20 years later. We are members of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, where our kids attended religious school and celebrated their b’nai mitzvot and confirmations.

I’ve long been involved in the Indianapolis Jewish community, growing up as an active member of BBYO and USY. As an adult, I’ve served on several boards of Jewish organizations, including as president of the Jewish Community Relations Council. So I come to this new and exciting role with JFGI with broad experience of our community’s agencies and synagogues, resources and people.

Each leadership role I’ve had the honor to hold in our Jewish community stemmed from connections with someone who was already in a leadership role who took me under their wings and encouraged and supported me to do more. I intend to do the same as JFGI co-president; whether it’s one of our young up-and-coming leaders who just needs to find the right role to grow as a community leader, or someone like me who was quietly wanting to get involved and didn’t know where to start. I look forward to mentoring and encouraging our next line of leaders to join a committee, come to an event or meeting, or dive right in to a leadership role.

What has impressed and excited me most in the months leading up to this new role is the unwavering support and passion for our Jewish community. This includes everyone from past JFGI presidents to current community leaders to those who are just discovering their passion for serving the Jewish community. I’m also impressed by and extremely grateful for our top-notch professional team at JFGI, without whom none of our work would be possible.

Our incoming lay leadership team has much to do, but because of our strong past lay and professional leadership, we have a solid foundation on which to meet these challenges. We have campus and financial issues to address, board development to take on, leadership development programs to build on and new ones to launch, and of course dollars to raise in support of our work in Indianapolis and Israel. Please reach out to me anytime with your comments, questions, concerns, suggestions, etc. at miriam.dant@dantadvocacy.com.