As Family Engagement and Community Partnerships Director at the Pozez JCC, Amy Lummer is quietly (and brilliantly) weaving Jewish life across Northern Virginia—one connection at a time.

“There’s always someone here to catch you if you fall.”

Raised in rural West Virginia, Amy Lummer grew up with a deep sense of mutual care and connection. Now, she brings those values to Jewish Northern Virginia—making sure families feel seen, welcomed, and supported.

Why Here?

Northern Virginia is one of the fastest-growing and most geographically spread Jewish regions in Greater Washington. With families spread across suburbs and cities, Jewish life here can feel fragmented. Turning those fragments into something connected takes intention—and people like Amy.

A Web of Connection

“We are a spiderweb, and whenever you strengthen any one point, the whole web gets stronger.”

Amy coordinates community partnerships, runs the Growing Jewish Families Program, and keeps a running spreadsheet of everything from kosher caterers to coffee shop meetups.

It’s not just about programs; it’s about people. And Amy equips them to create meaningful Jewish experiences for themselves and others.

Bridging Culture, Faith, and Family

Amy’s family has lived in West Virginia for generations, tracing their roots back to Alsace-Lorraine in the 1600s and settling in Appalachia by 1749. The deep community ties and cultural pride she grew up with continue to inform how she builds Jewish life today.

“Judaism and Appalachia both teach that someone is there to catch you if you fall.”

Her kids, now 12 and 15, describe her work like this: One of them says, “She talks to people.” The other adds, “She runs Jewish programs—and makes me volunteer.” Amy laughs, but she’s also serious:

“I want them to grow up knowing that community isn’t something you consume—it’s something you help create.”

She also dreams bigger: a future where every Jewish institution sees one another as partners, not competitors.

“I see a future where no one claims, ‘We can’t do that, they’re our competition.’ We’re one community.”

From Budgets to Bagels

Ten years ago, Amy was a federal budget analyst. After her second child was born, she reassessed her path. She left her job, enrolled her daughter in a part-time Jewish preschool, and when a wave of flu hit the staff, the director asked her to fill in. She agreed—baby in tow—and discovered how much she loved it. That one-off moment led to a master’s in education, years in Jewish early childhood programming, and ultimately, a full-time mission.

“Now I’m building the world I want to see—in a place that supports that.”

Building Belonging, One Moment at a Time

Amy wanted her kids to have a strong Jewish foundation. She started by building community for them. Now, she does it for everyone.

“When someone opens a Growing Jewish Families newsletter, even that shows a desire for connection. And that’s where community starts.”

When her daughter switched from Jewish day school to a large public high school, Amy watched something powerful unfold: her daughter used the skills she’d grown up with—the ability to recognize and connect with others—to find her one Jewish friend in a sea of students.

“She overheard a name that sounded familiar enough to take a chance. Now they walk home from school together.”

That one shared walk home felt like proof: her daughter had what she’d need to find her people.

What Community Looks Like

Amy’s version of success isn’t flashy. It’s made up of human moments that spark something lasting:

• Fresh kosher challah waiting at school pickup
• A mezuzah placed low—so kids can touch it, people who use wheelchairs can reach it, and the braille can be read by all
• Two parents who met at a PJ Library event and grabbed coffee after
• “That’s the kind of success I’m chasing.”

(And yes, she counts coffee dates as wins.)

More Than a Job

When she’s not coordinating programs or connecting families, Amy’s likely curled up with a fantasy novel (happy endings only), testing a new recipe, or recreating heirloom favorites from scratch. She cooks the way she builds community: generously and with heart.

“Feeding people is my love language.”

The Work of Belonging

Amy’s work reflects Federation’s larger commitment: that every Jew in Greater Washington should have access to connection, belonging, and community.

In Northern Virginia, connection doesn’t just happen—it’s built, moment by moment—by people like Amy.

“Nobody needs to be alone.”