Rabbi Carnie Rose started as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Mandel Jewish Community Center (The J) on Jan. 16, 2023. He succeeds Michael G. Hyman, who retired Sept. 2, 2022 after nearly 19 years in that role. Richard Zakalik was the interim CEO.

A veteran in Jewish congregational and communal service, 55-year-old Rose spent the past 18 years as senior rabbinic chair of Congregation B’nai Amoona in St. Louis. The Mandel JCC search committee placed significant value on Rose’s experiences building the synagogue’s community programs and leading philanthropic efforts for a successful capital campaign.

Similar to the Mandel JCC’s 42-acre campus in Beachwood, B’nai Amoona is on 33 acres of wooded property with sports fields and basketball courts. “As with The J’s mission, it was important to use the synagogue’s space as a center for our community and place to build connections for people of all ages,” Rose said. In addition to adult learning classes, it offered summer camps and early childhood programs.

As a community center, the business model of The J is to bring people together. The COVID-19 pandemic kept the community separated and accessing programs virtually. Over the past year, The J has steadily increased in-person programs and is growing membership.

“The Cleveland Jewish community is very robust and active,” Rose said. “Through creativity and innovation, I am convinced that The J is in a position for revitalization and rebirth.”

“We are excited about the experiences Carnie brings to us,” Board Chair Neil Tramer said. “He is very collaborative and has the innate ability to lead and inspire our outstanding staff to invent new ways to provide robust programs and services for the entire community.”

The one-year national search was led by Tramer and search committee co-chair Keith Polster, honorary board member, and Jeanne Tobin, past president. A consultant from the JCC Association conducted the search process with the committee.

According to Tramer, “The search took a long time because it was important to identify a candidate who not only met our strategic and leadership requirements but who also demonstrated the acumen and desire to build a new generation of the Mandel JCC.”

Previously, Carnie also held director and coordinator roles for student summer and leadership experiences, day camps, Jewish education and the 2022 Maccabi games. He is currently on the board of Jewish Federation of St. Louis and the rabbinic cabinets of Israel Bonds and Jewish National Fund.