Our Staff
Micky Baer, Executive Director
Micky Baer comes to JRC with more than twenty years of not-for-profit leadership experience, most recently serving as Director of North Shore Operations for the Jewish Council for Youth Services. Micky has extensive experience managing operations, mentoring staff, and optimizing a sense of community. Throughout her career she has been known for her warmth and enthusiasm. Micky holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and lives in Deerfield with her husband, Jeff, and two daughters, Riley and Billie.
Contact Micky if: you would like any information about membership at JRC. She would love to meet you via Zoom or a phone call! Current members can reach out with questions about the budget, finances for your committee, if you expect to enter into a legal agreement with another organization or vendor, if you want to include sales (i.e. tickets or books) at your event, or if you have general questions about how to get stuff done at JRC.
Email: mbaer@jrc-evanston.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2224
Max Sendor, Communications and Events Coordinator
Max Sendor comes to JRC as a North Shore native with a background in retail and entertainment communications. He recently returned to Chicago after a few years away in New York City and Boulder. While away from Chicago, Max worked for a variety of organizations, including Fjallraven North America and RSA Films, providing a wide range of media and customer experiences. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and Chinese language from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Max lives on the north-side of Chicago. He currently sings in Lakeshore Dynamics, a Chicago-based a cappella group, as well as engaging with you on topics ranging from music to art to travel.
Contact Max if: you have any questions about communications, programing, upcoming events, scheduling event spaces, social media, etc.
Email: msendor@jrc-evanston.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2229
Layhao Diep, Assistant to the Executive Director and Bookkeeper
Layhao Diep joined the staff on a part time basis in February to assist with bookkeeping support. The change to an off-site bookkeeping service still requires that some tasks be done “in house” and that has been her focus. She will transition to full time on April 1 and will be providing general administrative assistance during this transitional time. Layhao has been an office coordinator/bookkeeper at West Suburban Temple Har Zion for three years. She has worked as a professional organizer and moving coordinator, an office manager and bookkeeper, a marketing coordinator and a photo stylist. She has two teenage sons, Hans and Ian and lives in Andersonville.
Contact Layhao if: you have a question about Religious School registration, you want to make a donation, or if you have questions or changes to make to the Member Portal (contact info, yahrzeits, ect).
Email: ldiep@jrc-evanston.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext.2220
Rachel Sherman, Clergy Assistant and Ritual Events Coordinator
Rachel is thrilled to be coming aboard JRC as the Clergy Assistant and Ritual Events Coordinator. Previously, Rachel worked as the Director of Business Services for the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and as the Education Director of Emerald City Theatre. Rachel is a graduate of the University of Iowa where she holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies. Outside of JRC, Rachel has guest lectured on arts administration at Kennedy King College and Harold Washington College and serves as the Director of Engagement for the Chicago Artists Chorale (CAC), where she sings with the Chorale and CAC’s Chicago Artists Ensemble.
Contact Rachel if: you have a question relating to B’nai Mitzvahs, JRC’s Clergy, or lifecycle events.
Email: rsherman@jrc-evanston.org
Phone: 847-328-7678
Shelli Patt, Early Childhood Center Director
Shelli Patt has worked in the early childhood field for over twenty years as a program administrator, teacher, university instructor, and curriculum consultant and trainer. Her experience includes teaching in synagogue and university-based early childhood programs, and supervising the preschool program at a social service agency in Chicago. She is a certified teacher and holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Illinois-Chicago. Shelli enjoys cooking and gardening, and is always looking for new and interesting classroom ideas and activities to share with the preschoolers. Shelli is a lifelong Chicagoan who grew up not too far from JRC in West Rogers Park. She and her husband Andy live in Skokie. They have two sons, Josh and Roni, and two cats.
Contact Shelli if: you would like to schedule a virtual tour of our wonderful early childhood program!
Email: spatt@jrc-evanston.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2227
