The Daniel Thursz Distinguished Jewish Communal Service Award

Mazel Tov to the 2026 Daniel Thursz Distinguished Jewish Communal Service Award Winner: Esther Greenberg – Jewish Community Center

This award was created in 2000 to honor and recognize Dr. Daniel Thursz for his achievements as former Dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and co-founder of the Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development (formerly BIJCS). He also had served as former Executive Vice President of B’nai B’rith International.

This award pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of an individual who has worked in the field of Jewish communal service for at least 20 years and is currently serving the greater Baltimore community. The individual has demonstrated leadership, exemplary professional skills, and a lifelong commitment to the field.

For more than two decades, Esther’s vision and dedication to Jewish life have helped strengthen institutions, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities for connection across Jewish Baltimore.

Through her integrity, creativity and tireless work on behalf of the JCC, Esther has become an indispensable professional and trusted leader. Esther is a pro’s pro, a valued thought partner to her colleagues – humble, kind, skilled and deeply committed.

She understands that healthy organizations are built on trust, communication, and meaningful engagement, and she puts in the effort to nurture those connections. She rolls up her sleeves and does anything that needs to be done, always with a smile.

She has played a key role in shaping JCC community gatherings like JLIVE and the Baltimore Jewish Hall of Fame, enabling people to gather and feel welcomed, celebrate our shared story and strengthen the sense of community that makes Baltimore special.

She played a key role in the JCC’s strategic plan, built a strong board engagement platform centered on thoughtful communication, meaningful shared experiences and authentic relationships.

Esther brings her collaborative spirit to her volunteer opportunities on the Levindale Auxiliary Board, Hadassah of Greater Baltimore and The Associated’s Pomegranate Society. These roles reflect her long-standing dedication to strengthening Jewish institutions and cultivating the next generation of communal leadership.

Esther’s work is driven by a genuine belief in the power and importance of Jewish community. She has become a trusted connector and a natural ambassador for the JCC and the broader Jewish community.