Bender JCC Of Greater Washington Welcomes New Director of Inclusion
Abbey Plumb will build on the Bender JCC’s long-standing legacy of belonging and inclusion.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | JANUARY 13
The Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington is pleased to announce that Abbey Plumb has joined the staff as the Director of Inclusion.
“As we continue to advance our vision of inclusion at the Bender JCC, we are reminded that this work is rooted in decades of leadership, lived experience, and a belief that every individual deserves to be seen, welcomed, and fully embraced,” said Josh Bender, CEO of the Bender JCC. “We have come a long way since the founding of our Inclusion Program in 1979, and this work remains both a celebration of how far we have come and a commitment to continue strengthening a community where everyone belongs. Abbey Plumb brings the experience, values, and thoughtfulness needed to help carry this legacy forward.”
Abbey’s experience in Jewish communal settings is rooted in children, youth, and family engagement. Most recently, she served as Department Director of Children, Youth, and Family, and Clubhouse Afterschool Program Director at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. In those roles, she led strategic planning, program development, and staff leadership for a wide range of summer and year-round programs rooted in inclusive practice and Jewish values.
Throughout her career, Abbey has focused on creating safe, welcoming environments, supporting staff development, and collaborating with families. Her work reflects a commitment to ensuring that inclusion is intentional, relational, and integrated into daily community life.
“Everyone deserves access to their community, and the Bender JCC’s legacy of inclusion is deeply meaningful to me,” said Abbey Plumb. “I am honored to join an organization that has long prioritized belonging and dignity, and I look forward to working alongside staff, families, and partners to continue strengthening inclusive opportunities across the JCC.”
As Director of Inclusion and a member of the senior management team, Abbey will steward the Bender JCC’s legacy of belonging by working across the Bender JCC. Along with developing skill-building and social workshops for youth, young adults, and families, she will support professional staff through training and collaboration and advance practices to ensure that our programs and facilities are safe and welcoming by design and accessible to individuals of all abilities. To ensure that inclusive practices are holistic and fully integrated throughout the organization, Abbey will report to Aimee Segal, Chief Program & Innovation Officer.
Since establishing its Inclusion Program in 1979, the Bender JCC has worked to create welcoming opportunities for individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and identities across its programs, services, and community spaces. “Building an inclusive community is ongoing work,” said Josh Bender. “It belongs to all of us, and we remain deeply grateful to those who continue to move this mission forward.”
About the Bender JCC:
The Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville, Maryland is a premier community center at the heart of Jewish life in Montgomery County. The Bender JCC operates a full-scale health and fitness center, preschool, day camp, and a wide range of education, arts, and cultural programs. We create a welcoming and inclusive environment that connects the Jewish community, Israel, and the broader community, inspiring individuals of all ages and backgrounds through programs of excellence rooted in Jewish values.
About Abbey Plumb:
Abbey Plumb is a Jewish communal professional with extensive experience in children, youth, and family programming. Her background includes program leadership, staff development, family engagement, and the creation of safe and inclusive environments in Jewish community settings. Abbey is passionate about fostering communities where individuals of all abilities feel a sense of belonging and opportunity.
About the Director of Inclusion:
The Bender JCC’s Director of Inclusion is responsible for advancing inclusion across the entire organization. This includes dedicated inclusion programming, consultation and support for professional staff, and ensuring that programs throughout the Bender JCC are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive by design for children, teens, adults, and families of all abilities.
