"CJEE's mission is to provide and coordinate formal and informal education opportunities for building Jewish identity and enhancing lifelong learning," says Paul Flexner, the new executive director of JES who will become executive director of CJEE when the agency launches in July. "It's going to create a stronger, more visible presence for Jewish education in the Atlanta Jewish community. This new agency will give us the opportunity to expand the work of the communal Jewish agencies into new areas not being dealt with now, such as congregational and family education," he adds.

The idea for CJEE was born last spring, when JES director Janice Alper announced her retirement, according to Shira Ledman, Federation's director of planning and fund distribution. Federation then approached the heads of the four education organizations about creating an umbrella agency to maximize Jewish education in the community. "All the independent organizations were doing a great job in their realms, but nobody really was looking at how the pieces interrelate and could create synergies," Ledman says, adding that Federation is delighted that it has been able to partner with those involved and facilitate the process of creating the new agency.

Federation, which funds three of the four current entities and Israel Experience, is considering ways to fund CJEE's formation, and will continue to provide ongoing support to the new central agency. Flexner says he plans to fundraise in the community as well. The heads of the four partners will stay on as part of a senior management team, which already has met to discuss structure, budget and other issues. "These are talented, capable, qualified professionals," says Flexner, who moved to Atlanta in January. "CJEE is an opportunity to grow Jewish Atlanta. I'm very happy to be here – this is exciting for the community."