BALTIMORE JEWISH COUNCIL STAFF

Howard Libit, Executive Director

hlibit@baltjc.org

Howard Libit is the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council.  Prior to joining the Council, Howard served as the Chief of Public Affairs and Director of Strategic Planning and Policy in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Baltimore, overseeing the communications efforts for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the agencies of city government. For almost six years, Howard was Chief Operating Officer at Kearney O’Doherty Public Affairs, where he developed and implemented successful and award-winning communications strategies for Fortune 500 and non-profit clients on some of Maryland’s highest-profile political issues.  Howard also spent 15 years as a reporter and editor at the Baltimore Sun, starting as a suburban education reporter and writing about such other topics as state government, politics and the environment.  He served as the newspaper’s City Editor for nearly three years.  In his position as assistant managing editor for news, he directed award-winning local, national, foreign, business, and investigative coverage for print and online, supervising a team of 15 editors and 50 reporters. Howard grew up in Highland Park, Ill., and is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in political science.

Sarah Mersky Miicke, Deputy Director

smiicke@baltjc.org

Sarah Mersky Miicke, Esq., is the Deputy Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. She is responsible for government relations for the Council, including lobbying at the Federal, State and local levels, and oversees community relations. She was previously the Director of Government Relations for the BJC. Prior to joining the BJC, Sarah worked for several State and Federal elected officials, including Maryland’s Speaker Michael Busch and President, formerly U.S. Senator, Joseph Biden. She holds a J.D. from The University of Maryland Carey School of Law and a B.A. in Political Communication from The George Washington University.

Keith Tiedemann, Director of Security

ktiedemann@associated.org

Keith Tiedemann is the Director of Security, and oversees security operations at all Associated facilities. Keith joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1977.  Keith ascended through the ranks of the Department and was promoted to the rank of Major in 2004 where he served as the Commanding Officer of the Organized Crime Division, Director of the Internal Investigation Division and Commander of the Northwestern District before retiring in 2009.  In his present position Keith works with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.  In addition, Keith helps local Jewish facilities obtain Department of Homeland Security Grants and he also conducts security assessments as a part of the process.  Keith has also participated with local law enforcement agencies conducting Active Shooter Table Top exercises and Lock Down Exercises at these facilities.

Kathleen St. Villier-Hill, Executive Director of the Elijah Cummings Youth Program

kstvillier@ecyp.org

Kathleen St. Villier is the Executive Director of the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, a joint collaboration between the Baltimore Jewish Council and Congressman Elijah Cummings. Kathleen is responsible for managing all aspects of the two-year fellowship program in which teens develop skills that help them become leaders who promote inter-ethnic, racial and religious understanding. Prior to joining the Baltimore Jewish Council, Kathleen spent nine years at For Love of Children (FLOC) in Washington, DC. While at FLOC, Kathleen managed a college access and success program for 200 students and helped FLOC enhance program offerings for middle school, high school and postsecondary students.  Kathleen received a degree in Women Studies and History from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Phyllis Gwynn, Administrative Manager

pgwynn@baltjc.org

Phyllis is the Administrative Manager of the Baltimore Jewish Council, supervising administrative staff. She is responsible for organizing and coordinating office operations, BJC procedures and regulations, assisting with board development and office production to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency.  In addition, she handles accounts payable, accounts receivables, assists with the budget process and timesheets. Prior to becoming a part of the BJC team, Phyllis worked in the Legal Department for the NAACP for 10 years.

Emily Goodman, Director of Holocaust and Countering Antisemitism Programming

egoodman@baltjc.org

Emily Goodman is the Director of Holocaust and Countering Antisemitism Programs, where she is responsible for Holocaust commemoration and education programming, the Survivors Speakers Bureau, as well as the implementation of programming to help counter antisemitism within the Baltimore community. Prior to this Emily worked with the BJC as a Program Coordinator, working primarily with the Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel. Before joining the BJC, Emily served as a Research Assistant conducting research on cognitive impairment and memory decline at the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology with concentrations on Family & Human Services and Health Science from Towson University.

Josh Sherman, Director of Community Relations

Kate McDonald, Director of Israel and Jewish Advocacy
kmcdonald@baltjc.org

Kate McDonald is the Director of Israel and Jewish Advocacy for the Baltimore Jewish Council. She is responsible for organizing programming on current Israel and Jewish events, staffing the Baltimore Israel Coalition, and strengthening young Jewish leaders through the BJC’s Leadership Development Program. Prior to joining the BJC, Kate spent five years in the north of Israel partnering with Israeli, Palestinian, and bi-national civil society organizations and developing educational programming for visiting British and American faith groups and political delegations. Kate holds a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh and a Masters in Theology from the University of St Andrew’s, Scotland.

Abigail Snyder, Director of Government Affairs
ASnyder@baltjc.org

Abby Snyder is the Director of Government Affairs for the Baltimore Jewish Council. She is responsible for government relations at the State and local levels. Prior to joining the BJC, Abby served as Legislative & Communications Director and Chief of Staff for State Senator Cheryl Kagan. She is a member of the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS DC Board. Abby earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Towson University.

Megan Brantley, Director of Community Relations

mbrantley@baltjc.org

Megan Brantley is a graduate of Stevenson University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She has 9 years of experience working in nonprofits and many years of experience working with young people. She is a sitting member of the rabbinic search committee at her synagogue, Har-Sinai Oheb Shalom, as well as Sunday Hebrew School teacher.

She cares about Jewish culture and life and views Judaism as a living civilization that is at its best when viewed as a diverse, inclusive tent. She participated in the 27-32 year old Birthright cohort in June 2022 and is passionate about Israeli history and education.

In her free time, she makes mezuzahs, goes hiking with her spouse and dogs, and plays guitar.