Know the J

Barak Hermann

Barak comes to us with over 17 years of experience working in the JCC environment. Prior to moving to Baltimore, he was the Executive Director of the Central Jersey JCC in Scotch Plains, N.J. for five years, prior to this he was the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Executive Director of the Metro West JCC in West Orange and Whippany, N.J.  He is a graduate of Yeshiva University – Wurzweiler School of Social Work and has a Bachelors from Stoney Brook University and Associated Degree from Johnson & Wales University.

Ken Karsh

Ken Karsh started at the JCC in 2009. As the Senior Vice President of Finance Ken is in charge of the Finance department, Building Operations and Human Resources.  Prior to coming to the JCC Ken was the Vice President of Finance at THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.  He has an MBA in Finance from Pace University.  Ken grew up in Yonkers, New York.

Esther Greenberg

Esther currently supervises the JCC's Marketing and Membership departments and is also responsible for fundraising activities involving JCC events including Bids for Kids, JCC Maccabi Experience, and the new Community Block Party.  She also writes grants on behalf of the JCC.  Prior to the JCC, Esther worked for three years as a Development Associate for Hillel of Greater Baltimore.  Before working in the non-for-profit world, Esther was the Marketing Director for a creative services agency in Washington, DC for more than 10 years. Esther has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University in Political Science/Public Policy.

Susan Sherr-Seitz

Susan Sherr-Seitz is the latest addition to the Executive Team at the J. As Vice President, Programs and Innovation, she supervises Early Childhood Education, J Camps, Kids Center, Teen programming and the new Center for Teen Engagement.

Susan comes to the J after serving over 15 years as an Associated Vice President for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and two years as an Executive Search Consultant with DRG, Inc., where she specialized in recruiting development and c-suite positions in the Jewish community. While at JFNA, Susan directed all aspects of the General Assembly, the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation movement and the largest Jewish philanthropic conference in North America. She has an MSSW degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work and an M.A. from the Jewish Theological Seminary. In addition, Susan serves on the board of the University of Maryland Hillel and the board of Camp Ramah in the Poconos.

Paul Lurie

Paul Lurie is our newly appointed Vice President of the JCC of Greater Baltimore overseeing the Aquatics and Fitness & Recreation departments as well as the JCC Maccabi Experience. No stranger to the J, Paul has served in executive and directorial roles at the JCC for thirteen years, since 2003. He has served, variously, as JCC Maccabi Experience Director, as Sports and Recreation Director, as Children and Teen Services Director, and as Senior Program Director. Paul also works very closely with executive team colleagues on strategy, analysis and operational reports in addition to working on the agency’s full budget. Paul holds Mathematics and Economics degrees from UMBC.