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TRIBUTE TO OUTGOING PRESIDENT: ANNETTE G SAXON
Annette’s training and experience in marketing resulted in a new emphasis on developing the image of CJE. After all, how can we provide quality services if educators, parents or community members are unaware of the resources available through CJE? A new brochure, an attractive new website, WYPR interview, and feature articles in the Owings Mills Times, Maryland Family, The Jewish Times and even the Baltimore Sun were great ways to spread the word about CJE. Under Annette’s watchful eye, many other exciting initiatives were started. One important example was the creation of the new position of day school liaison. This position, funded by the Charles Crane Family Foundation, was particularly timely since it coincided with the announcement of a generous $16 million gift from The Weinberg Foundation and The Associated to provide supplemental funding for day schools over the next five years. During Annette’s presidency, CJE saw an increase from several outside funding sources like these. Some other areas of visible achievement: Students “became the voices” of Holocaust survivors in a program funded by the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Fund for the Enrichment of Jewish Education. Local educators traveled to Ashkelon and implemented programs with their partner schools with funds provided by the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership Committee. The Charles Crane Family Foundation provided a two-year commitment of $100,000 for special education enhancement grants, raising the bar of school capacity for meeting special education service needs. Other achievements included increased funds for teens traveling to Israel and the opportunity to work with THE ASSOCIATED’s Center for Funds and Foundations to develop fundable projects for donors who want to “follow their philanthropic dollars.” CJE’s commitment to learning and teaching, most central to the agency’s mission, found new and creative outlets. There was a new kind of excitement as adults jumped into studying Jewish ideas through our “Power of an Hour” campaign, our Jewish Speed Learning program and our special website, www.jewishlearningconnection.org, which connects people to all of the adult study possibilities in Baltimore. More educators than ever benefited from the HaMoreh mentorship program, attended our new annual day school teachers’ conference, and participated in our fascinating theme-based Rimon professional development workshop series. Young children and their caregivers joined us weekly for Toddler Tales in a format that included story telling and crafts around Jewish topics and holiday themes. In all of this work, Annette never tired of challenging us to make sure that our programs, services and messages about the importance of Jewish education were reaching the maximum number of participants. All on the CJE Board know that Annette is a stalwart and enthusiastic partner in conveying the importance of the work of CJE to The Associated (and making sure that The Associated’s message is transmitted effectively and passionately to the CJE leadership). In advocating for Jewish education in the community, Annette’s spirit never flagged. We wish Annette much hatzlacha (success) as she continues in her leadership role as a future 2009 Campaign Chair of the Women’s Department at the Associated. We appreciate all of the time and effort that Annette dedicated to her role as president during these past two years and for many prior years as an active board member, devoting her attention to the enhancement of Jewish education in Baltimore. |
One of the hallmarks of Annette’s presidency has been her infectious enthusiasm! Annette brought this quality to every meeting, whether she was the convener or an attendee, and this inspired people to become more involved. Gifts to THE ASSOCIATED were larger and closed earlier, board meeting attendance has been at an all-time high, and we have had fun along the way!