J LIVE Presents: The Players

Each year, J Live brings together hundreds of JCC friends, partners, and community leaders for an evening of music, joy, and purpose.

Proceeds support more than $400,000 in annual financial aid, helping 720 families access pre-school, camp, JCC Maccabi, inclusion programming, and membership — ensuring no one is turned away due to financial hardship.

This year, we proudly honor Annette and Michael Saxon with the JCC Bezalel Leadership Award for their visionary leadership and enduring commitment to Jewish life in Baltimore, Israel and beyond.

Don’t miss the fun! Get your tickets today and explore our sponsorship opportunities starting at $1,000.

Visionary leaders. Past JCC Board Chairs. Devoted volunteers in the Baltimore Jewish community, the community at-large, Israel and beyond. Together, Annette and Michael embody the Bezalel Leadership Award’s spirit of building leadership and Jewish values.

Michael Saxon served as JCC Board Chair from 1999-2001 and chaired many key committees and initiatives for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore including the Center for Funds and Foundations, Legacy and Endowment, and the 2010 Greater Baltimore Jewish Community Study. Other involvement included co-chair of Baltimore City Partnerships Commission and Board Chair, Taub Center for Social Policy in Israel. Currently, Michael serves as co-chair of PJ Library Endowment.

Annette Saxon serves on multiple boards including The Associated, Associated Women, JCC Association of North America, JCC Global, The Jewish Museum of Maryland, and Macks Jewish Connection Network.  Past involvement included JCC Board Chair (2015-2017) and as Chair, Center for Jewish Education. She also served in leadership roles at Beth Am Synagogue, the Baltimore Tourism Association and Port Discovery.  Annette received the Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations of Maryland “E.B. Hirsh Lifetime Achievement Award,” and Building STEPS “Volunteer of the Year” award—among others. 

Annette and Michael are the proud parents of Jake and Sarah, who along with their spouses Camille and Randall, are also active in their own communities.

Rock the night with The Players and Friends featuring musicians from legendary bands, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, and artist Peter Frampton, performing the classic rock hits you love.  The band includes Rock & Roll Hall of Famers:

In 2025, the JCC provided over $700,000 in financial aid, helping 1,700 families access our Stoler Early Learning Center, J Camp, JCC Maccabi, inclusion programming and membership. The proceeds from J Live help ensure no one is turned away due to financial hardship.

Your support ensures that the JCC can continue providing essential programs and scholarships, fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive destination where life-long friendships are formed, positive memories are cherished, and kindness counts.

Grand Patron | $250/ticket includes:

General | $125/ticket includes:

Secure your sponsorship early to maximize visibility and impact. For J Live sponsorship details, contact Esther H. Greenberg, Chief Advancement Officer at 410-559-3545 or email egreenberg@jcc.org.

J Live is made possible thanks to the dedication of our incredible Steering Committee:

Co-Chaired by
Joanie and David Greenberg

Committee Members
Darrell Braman, 1st Vice Chair, JCC Board
Maury Garten, Past Chair, JCC Board
Bob Hallock
Fritzi Hallock
Shelley Hendler, JCC Board
Fred Heyman, JCC Board
Tammy Heyman, Past Board Member
Orlee Kahn
Ira Malis
Betsy Narrow, Past Board Member
Lou Narrow
Eric Nislow, Past Chair, JCC Board
Carol Noel, Past Board Member
David Noel
Laury Scharff, JCC Board
Jonathan Schwartz
Keith Shapiro, JCC Board Chair
Jodi Stappler
Michael Stappler
Harriette Wienner, JCC Board

The JCC is proud to be a part of The Associated Network which provides funding and promotional support services to our agency.

Event Media Sponsor: JMore Living

AS OF 2/23/26:

— $20,000+
LifeBridge Health
Chesapeake Realty Partners
Saxon, Rentfro, Hallock, Kolker and Danis Families

— $15,000
Randi & Darrell Braman
Curio Wellness | Far & Dotter

— $10,000
Corbyn Investment Management
Michelle & Ira Malis Charitable Fund
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

— $5,000
Brightview Senior Living
Defender One Security
The Glenmede Trust Company
Joanie & David Greenberg
Catherine & David Max
Beth & Jon Mayers
Mindy & Jeff Rosen
Monica & David Rosen
Stuart Sheer, DDS., Orthodontic Specialist for Children and Adults
Jenny & Keith Shapiro
Jackie & Bob Smelkinson
Jill Stempler

— $2500
Julie & Andy Attman
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Harriet & Jimmy Berg
The Blavatt Glazer Cogan Foundation, Amy & Jason Blavatt
Development Corporation for Israel
Rebecca & Joe DeMattos
Barb & Neil Demchick
Jill & Ira Gansler
Alice & Maury Garten
Greater Pikesville Recreation Council (GPRC)
Robyn & Ed Hoffman and Yaakov Fader
H&S Bakery
Vivian & Robert Manekin
Maryland Center for Surgery and Dental Implants, Barbara & Julius Hyatt
MOI, Carol & David Noel
Melissa & Rick Peters
Laury & Lewis Scharff
Venable LLP
David Wax
Cory & Barak Hermann
Larry Plant & Family
The Weiner/Rubin/Weiner Financial Team

— $1,000+
Anonymous
Rachel & Arthur Adler
Atlas Restaurant Group
Richard Braver
Louisa H. Goldstein
Brooks Financial Group
Randi & John Buergenthal
Wendy & Ron Eisenberg
Leslie & David Fleishman
D’Alesandro & Miliman
Diane & Scott Gensler
Eve & Mark Gheiler
Goodman Gable Gould Adjusters International
Global Furniture Group
Barbara & Michael Hettleman
Tammy & Fred Heyman
Caren & Bruce Hoffberger
Bill Lewis and Family
Odalis and Richard Kuntz
Buffy & Will Minkin
PivatolPath, Inc.
Stacey & Paul Lurie
MfI Realty
Miller | Stern Lawyers – Dan Miller, Kevin Stern, and Fred Heyman
Betsy & Lou Narrow
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)
Avigail Rosemore, Avi Greenlinger and Yitzi Teichman,
– The Quarry Lake Group at RBC Wealth Management
Relation Insurance Services, Alan J. Summerfield, CPCU
Esther Greenberg & Jeff Rubin
Judy & Rick Morrison/Schoenfeld Insurance
Jane Frankel Sims, Esq., Sims & Campbell, LLC
SitOnIt Seating, Matt Crowder
Jennifer & Eric Stromberg
Jodi & Michael Stappler
Ellen & Bob Quinn
Ilene & Bert Vogelstein
Alfred Whiteman
Harriette & Stephen Wienner