An Exciting Future for CJDS
By Liz Khodak
The Charlotte Jewish Day School( CJDS) community finds itself in a moment that is both deeply meaningful and full of promise. As we begin preparing for a leadership transition, we do so with immense gratitude for the extraordinary legacy of our founding Head of School, Mariashi Groner, who built CJDS as a true community day school, open and welcoming to families of all Jewish backgrounds and levels of observance.
For 39 years, Mariashi has been the heart and vision behind CJDS, helping to build not just a school, but a vibrant and values-driven community. Her leadership has shaped generations of students and families, grounding them in strong academics, Jewish identity, and a deep sense of belonging. The strength of CJDS today is a direct reflection of her dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to this community.
At the same time, we are excited to look ahead and share that
Leah Levin will step into the role of Head of School following a thoughtful and intentional transition period. Leah brings with her a deep passion for Jewish education and a track record of building and strengthening communities here in Charlotte. Her work has consistently centered on developing meaningful educational experiences, fostering strong relationships, building inclusive environments, and developing and managing high-performing teams with clarity and purpose.
Leah’ s leadership style reflects both vision and action. She is a builder of programs, a cultivator of community, and a leader who understands how to bring people together across diverse perspectives around shared goals. We are confident that she is well-positioned to carry CJDS forward while honoring the strong foundation already in place.
This transition has been the result of a deliberate and multiphase succession planning process that began in 2024. The board of trustees consulted with independent school experts, educational consultants, and peer institutions locally and nationally to understand best practices for leadership transitions. With guidance from an external consultant, the Board conducted a series of individual, anonymized interviews with every board member to gather candid input on the school’ s strengths, priorities, and future needs.
Those insights were carefully analyzed to identify key themes, including the importance of preserving CJDS’ s core values, Jewish identity, inclusivity, and strong community connection, while ensuring thoughtful evolution for the future. The consultant also shared insights from similar transitions indicating that leadership changes following a founder or long-standing head can be particularly delicate.
In many cases, external hires from broad national searches face significantly higher early turnover, while candidates with deep alignment to a school’ s mission and community often demonstrate stronger long-term success, particularly when they bring strong local knowledge and trusted relationships.
A succession planning committee was formed, which developed a leadership profile, created a detailed job description, and established a structured evaluation process and candidate rubric. Over the course of the process, the Board engaged in multiple rounds of discussion, consultation, and evaluation, including interviews, input from independent consultants, and ongoing updates to community leadership groups. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying a leader who understands the unique composition of the Charlotte Jewish community and can build upon the relationships and culture that define CJDS.
Leadership transitions, especially following a long-standing and beloved Head of School, are important moments in the life of any institution. The CJDS Board approached this process with great care, with a focus on continuity, long-term strength, and alignment with the school’ s
The Charlotte Jewish News- May 2026- Page 15
Leah Levin
mission and values. We also recognize that moments like this also invite broader reflection and conversation.
As we move forward, we are committed to deepening our engagement with the greater Charlotte Jewish community. CJDS has always been more than a school. It is a community asset, and its strength is directly connected to the power of its relationships. In the months ahead, we look forward to creating meaningful opportunities to listen, connect, and collaborate with our partners, families, and community leaders. We will also continue to share updates and create opportunities for the community to get to know Leah, her vision, and her leadership.
This next chapter is not only about leadership. It is about reaffirming who we are as a school and how we continue to serve a growing and evolving community. With gratitude for the past and excitement for the future, we are confident that CJDS is well-positioned for continued growth, connection, and impact.
We invite the community to join us in celebrating Mariashi’ s incredible contributions and in welcoming Leah as we step into this next chapter together.
For more information about Charlotte Jewish Day School( CJDS), please contact Gale Osborne at Gosborne @ cjdschool. org.
Mariashi Groner
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