Jeff Aeder is co-founder and principal of JDI Realty, a small real estate firm that acquires a wide range of property types throughout the United States.
While Jeff has enjoyed the real estate business for over 30 years, he spends a large portion of his time pursuing philanthropic passions ranging from conventional to quirky. He and his wife Jennifer were named a Chicagoan of the Year in 2013, for founding Wolcott School, an independent high school for bright, college-bound students who learn differently.
The only school of its kind in Chicago, Wolcott is quickly becoming a national model for teaching students who experience reading, attention, and organizational challenges.Feeding his love for barbeque and a commitment to building community, in 2013 Jeff opened Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed. Following his charitable roots, in 2020 Jeff sold the restaurant to a number of employees for $1. While no longer the owner, Jeff still acts as the restaurant mascot, and you can find him schmoozing amongst the diners weekly.
The largest private collector of Jewish Baseball memorabilia Jeff created the Jewish Baseball Museum, an on-line museum showcasing the collection and highlighting the journey of Jews assimilating into American culture. Many of his baseball cards can be found along the walls of Milt’s.
Jeff lives in the Gold Coast with his wife and four teenage children, beloved and needy goldendoodle Ivie, bearded dragon PeeWee Irwin, and two possibly dead beta fish.
