Meet Polina Braginsky: Payroll and Accounts Payable Associate

Join us as we give a warm welcome to the newest member of the JCC’s finance team, Polina Braginsky. She is our new Payroll and Accounts Payable Associate. Polina was previously an Early Learning Center teacher and is excited to return to the JCC in this new position where she can incorporate her accounting and payroll skills. Fun Fact: Born in Russia, Polina emigrated to Israel as a child when she was eight years old and would, later on, spend three years in the Israel Defense Force. In addition to English, she is fluent in Russian and Hebrew!                               

Q: Why are you excited to be at the JCC; what drew you to working here?
A: I worked at the JCC preschool in Park Heights a few years ago (2013-2016) and I had a great experience. JCC always feels like family, everyone is very nice and friendly. I am so excited to be back and be part of the community again.

Q: What are you looking forward to bringing to this new role, and what work experiences led you to this position?
A: In the last few years, I assisted with a family business and completed my bachelor’s degree at Towson University. Payroll was part of my responsibilities at my previous job. Our family’s business is not as big as the JCC, but I am thankful to implement my skills into this new position as a payroll admin.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to travel. I have been to a lot of different states in the US and when COVID wasn’t around, I traveled to a few different countries such as Cuba, Peru, Mexico, UK, Netherlands, France, Russia, Israel, and more.

Q: How has the current situation in Ukraine affected you?
A: I feel horrible to see what people go through. All we can do is support and donate either money or goods. There are a lot of different ways to help. When I lived in Israel and we were under attack, the support from the world was very meaningful to us. Just to know that people unite in difficult times like that.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote/words to live by?
A: “Life is a gift. Wake up every day and realize that.”