Our Clergy and Staff
Rabbi Rachel Weiss
Pronouns: she/her
Rachel Weiss joined JRC in August of 2016. Rabbi Weiss is known for her commitment to Jewish life that is creative, connective, and deep. She brings her warmth and energy to life cycle officiation and pastoral counseling, is an innovative teacher of Torah, and a passionate spiritual leader. Rabbi Rachel is a Spanish speaker, a proficient communicator in sign language, a skilled calligrapher, and a tremendous chef. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to contact Rabbi Weiss, please email info@jrctogether.org. In the case of a death or other pastoral emergency, please text or leave a message at 847-497-5201 and a member of the clergy team will get back to you.
Cantor Howard Friedland
Pronouns: he/him
Howard Friedland has served as JRC’s cantor since 2001.
His caring and compassionate spirit, curiosity, and concern for people and his deep love for JRC inform all that he does for our community. Cantor Howard can talk with you about Jewish liturgical music, books, theater and SHOES! His collection of boots is impressive. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to contact Cantor Friedland, please email Cantor@jrctogether.org. In the case of a death or other pastoral emergency, please text or leave a message at 847-497-5201 and a member of the clergy team will get back to you.
Executive Director Micky Baer
Pronouns: she/her
Micky has been JRC’s Executive Director since May 2020, and already her positive energy and attitude, and collaborative spirit have radiated throughout our community. With over twenty years as a not-for-profit leader, Micky has extensive experience managing operations, mentoring staff, and optimizing a sense of community.
Micky loves to hear from the JRC community for any reason! Contact Micky if you have a question about your membership, your financial account, 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 can’t find an answer to your question, or if you just want to say hello. Click here to learn more.
Email: mbaer@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2224
Director of Education Lauren Reeves
Pronouns she/her
We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Reeves to JRC and Kehillah in July. With years of experience in educational leadership, Lauren is passionate about Jewish life and children, and dedicated to developing energetic, high quality Jewish learning experiences that are creative, interactive, and experiential. Lauren believes that Judaism is meaningful and accessible to learners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Lauren has a BA from Emory University and an MPA from Georgia State University. She, her husband Rabbi Frederick Reeves, and their children are often reading, biking, or exploring the neighborhood.
Contact Lauren if you are looking for information about Kehillah, teen programming, or young family engagement (or if you just want to say hello and welcome her to JRC!)
Email: lreeves@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2234,
Director of Operations, Leslie Brown
Pronouns, she/her
JRC is extremely fortunate to have Leslie Brown in the role of Operations Director. For the past 30 years, Leslie has contributed to various organizations in roles encompassing operational management and program development, including ten years as Executive Director of Piven Theater Workshop in Evanston. Through her extensive not-for-profit leadership experiences, Leslie has learned the value of community, collaboration, and continuous improvement, always striving to make a positive impact in her endeavors.
Contact Leslie to add someone to the Refuah/Healing Prayer list, or with questions about yahrzeits or anything related to your JRC account. If you would like to drop something off at JRC, Leslie is the perfect person to arrange this with.
Email: lbrown@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678 ext. 2219
Director of Engagement & Programming, Julie Rubin
Pronouns she/her
Julie brings to JRC a delightful combination of creativity, ingenuity, drive, and a contagiously joyful passion for Jewish engagement. With over a decade in Jewish leadership, from Hillel Student Life Coordinator to JCC Senior Manager of Teen Engagement, Julie has focused her career on engaging others, creating meaningful programs, and helping individuals discover their own personal connection to Judaism.
Julie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University. She lives in Lakeview with her husband, Scott, their daughter, Izzy, and their dog, Roscoe. Julie enjoys cooking, playing darts, puzzles (especially sudoku and jigsaw), bowling, and reading fiction.
Contact Julie about JRC programming, facility usage, rentals, life cycle events, or how to get involved. She would love to hear from you!
Email: jrubin@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678 ext. 2222
Head Custodian, Miguel Abonce
Pronouns he/him
Miguel is JRC’s absolutely awesome custodian. In addition to keeping our building clean and beautiful, Miguel helps with receiving deliveries and setting up events. He is such a warm presence at JRC, we are the luckiest! Miguel’s hours are M-F 8:00 am – 4:00 pm with a break from 12:30 – 1:00. If you are hoping to schedule a delivery, please check with Leslie Brown to arrange a time.
Who to Contact for What:
- For questions about membership: Micky Baer at mbaer@jrctogether.org
- If you want to learn more about getting involved at JRC: Julie Rubin at jrubin@jrctogether.org
- For questions about events, and building rentals: Julie Rubin at jrubin@jrctogether.org
- For questions about your JRC account, or how to make a payment: Leslie Brown at lbrown@jrctogether.org
- For Kehillah religious school and youth & early childhood programming: Lauren Reeves at lreeves@jrctogether.org
- For Kehillah administrative questions: Leslie Brown at lbrown@jrctogether.org
- For submissions to the newsletter: Micky Baer at mbaer@jrctogether.org
- If you have an idea for a program: Julie Rubin at jrubin@jrctogether.org or fill out a Dream & Plan Form
- For questions about rituals or lifecycle events, including b’nai mitzvah: Julie Rubin at jrubin@jrctogether.org
- To contact our clergy: The JRC office info@jrctogether.org
- To add a name to the Refuah Sheleymah list: Leslie Brown at lbrown@jrctogether.org
- For after hours emergency pastoral care: Call 847-497-5201 and one of our Clergy Team will get back to you
- For questions related to press, Marketing, or Communications: Micky Baer at mbaer@jrctogether.org
- For questions about High Holidays: Julie Rubin at jrubin@jrctogether.org
Everything else: email us at info@jrctogether.org or call the office at 847-328-7678 and we’ll find the right person for you to talk with!