Our Professional Staff
Executive Director
Tracy Tenenbaum
Tracy relocated to Chicago in 2022, after 20 years of moving around. Tracy grew up in Columbus, Ohio and has lived in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas (again) Macau, Las Vegas (a 3rd time,) and Utah. Thankfully, she has found her true home here in Chicago and more importantly, Emanuel. Tracy has worked in the performing arts for most of her life. She’s been a performer, teacher, and most recently, a Company Manager for several major theatre/circus companies. Nowadays, she applies these leadership and management skills to serving as Executive Director for the Emanuel community. Tracy’s hobbies include cooking attempts, kitty snuggles, reading and Jewish genealogy.
Contact Tracy
Email: Tracyb@emanuelcong.org, Phone: 773-561-5173
Director of Lifelong Learning
Joel Lewison
Joel Lewison is delighted to take the JLaB baton at Emanuel! A dedicated Jewish communal professional with over five years of experience in nonprofit and educational settings, Joel holds an MA in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership with a concentration in Israel Education. While familiar with Jewish summer camps in the midwest, from Conover to Wild Rose, he will get his first taste as a Jewish educator with a URJ camp this summer (2025)! Outside of his role with Emanuel, Joel is a father of two (plus a feline named Poppy) and will usually be learning up on space and history podcasts in his spare time.
Contact Joel with question about Emanuel Congregation's Religious School
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Office and Events Manager
Noah Baron
Noah began his work at Emanuel as an Office Intern assisting with our very busy High Holy Days events. Noah is thrilled by the opportunity to become the fulltime Admin. Assistant. Outside of work hours, Noah creates original music and spends his time at the coolest comedy venues in the City.
Contact Noah
email: noah@emanuelcong.org
Operations Manager
Kimmy Higginbotham
I am coming to Emanuel having been fortunate enough to already have a relationship with Tracy and Justy from my time at Blue Man Group where I helped to plan and coordinate events for our staff. While working as the Theatre Operations Coordinator at BMG, I was also in charge of our facilities, helping to maintain the building we loved, and making sure that everything ran smoothly. I look forward to being able to help restore and care for the home you all have created here at Emanuel. As a team leader, I believe there is no better way to lead than through connection, communication, and empathy. Fun fact: at BMG, I was referred to as “The Beekeeper” amongst our “Hive”, because of the care that I took for our teams, and it is a great privilege to know that I will be working with some of my former bees again (Bruce and Joe) - people I love and cherish as family – and I look forward to making new connections with and caring for the members of this congregation.
Contact Kimmy
email: kimmy@emanuelcong.org
Summer Office and Events Manager
Justy Marcoviche-Garnett
Contact Justy
email: Justy@emanuelcong.org
Bookkeeper
Lorraine Fogarty
Lorraine is Emanuel's part-time bookkeeper and is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable and questions concerning members' payments and accounts.
Contact Lorraine with questions about membership renewals, outstanding payments, and other financial or billing topics.
Email: LFogarty@emanuelcong.org, Phone: 773-561-5173 ext. 108
Music Director
Ruth Seidner
Ruthie teaches music in the Religious School, leads our Adult and Junior Choirs, assists in worship, and touches all with her song leading and spirit. Her talents and enthusiasm brighten Share Shabbat, Sunday morning services and so many other events.
Contact Ruthie at
Email: RSeidner@emanuelcong.org
Sound and Livestream Technician
Jack Mecherle
Jack is responsible for managing sound and live-streaming during our Shabbat services, and anything else that would interest an audiophile. He has been a professional in the audiovisual industry for over a decade, and is excited to use his skills to serve Emanuel!
Contact Jack at
Email: info@emanuelcong.org
Communications & Marketing
Stephanie McCullough
After two years working fulltime as the Admin. Assistant, Stephanie is returning to her original role as the part-time communications and marketing staff for Emanuel. She has had many significat life changes during her time at Emanuel and she credits the amazing support and encouragement of this community in helping her come through so many transitions in a positive way.
Contact Stephanie
email: stephanie@emanuelcong.org