Camp Staff

Bil Zarch

Bil Zarch is the Director of Camp Yavneh. Previously, Bil was the Head of School at Krieger Schechter Day School in Baltimore and Lander-Grinspoon Academy in Northampton. Bil was an active professional in the Boston community as the Director of the High School at Prozdor and oversaw the period of growth from 150 to 900 students. Bil has a deep love of Yavneh where he spent seven amazing summers back in the 80's and 90's. Bil earned a bachelor’s degree in public communications from SUNY Buffalo, a master's degree in Jewish education from Hebrew College, and is a fellow and graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute. (DSLTI). Bil was in the first cohort of the M2 Camp Educators Cohort: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. Bil was the award recipient for Exemplary Jewish Community Leadership from the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Bil currently serves on the board of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. He is married to Rebecca Peterfreund Zarch. Their two children are current Yavneh campers, Raviv (K'25), and Danya (K'27).   

Michelle Rosenhek Zelermyer

Michi is thrilled to be back for her third summer at Yavneh! Michi’s love of engaging youth and young families in meaningful Jewish ‘edutainment’ (education and entertainment) fits perfectly in the camping world. She earned her B.A. from Concordia University in Psychology, and a Master’s degree from McGill University, in a collaborative program of the Jewish Studies and Education departments. Very involved and active in her home community of Montreal, Michi loves the chance to learn about other Jewish communities each summer through her interactions and conversations with campers and staff from all over the U.S. She enjoys reading, traveling, being outdoors and playing sports, cooking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends playing all sorts of board games and card games. Michi is married to Cantor Gideon Zelermyer and has two sons, Max and Ben, who look forward to their summers at camp too!

Netanel Spiegel

Netanel started as a member of Camp Yavneh Food Service (YFS) in the summer of 2012.  He returned each subsequent summer, unable to shake his connection and love for Yavneh. With each summer that he returned, he seemed to stay a bit longer and take on more responsibility.  In the spring of 2019, Netanel was thrilled, and honored, to have accepted the challenge as Director of Operations. Netanel oversees the day-to-day operations and procedures pertaining to all aspects of camp year-round. This includes finances, facilities, marketing, food Service, transportation, Yavneh Retreat Center and Family Camp. Netanel continues to work tirelessly for camp and has earned the respect of many as someone who gets things done. Netanel spend his winters in Israel and counts down the days until summer to return to Northwood and be in the most special place on the planet!

Lisa Rubins

Lisa has been attending Yavneh for 45 years (really!) as camper (K’85) and counselor. She has held a variety of positions, learning about camp from many perspectives. During the school year, Lisa teaches at the Solomon Schechter School in White Plains, NY. She holds a masters degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Lisa comes to camp with her husband Scott who is Head of Safety at Yavneh and son, Jack who loves camp as much as she does!

Alanna Wolf

After a five year hiatus, Alanna Wolf is excited to be back for her 15th summer at Yavneh as Rosh Noar (Head of Upper Camp)! Alanna has served in many roles at camp - as a chanicha (K’08), madricha and rosh ayda, and she is a proud second generation Yavneh alum. Alanna also met her husband, Herschel Singer (K’09), at Yavneh! They currently reside in Northampton, MA, where she works as an occupational therapist.

Chana Israel

Chana is currently the Lead Teacher for Kindergarten and First Grade Judaics at the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District. She has directed Jewish educational programming over the past 20 years for students from pre-school through high school.  Chana has been a member of the chinuch staff for the past nine years and only three of her four children will be at camp this summer.

Estelle Lajmer Gomolka

Estelle is a 5th grade teacher at The Greater Boston SSDS. She is a graduate of Maimonides school. She is celebrating her 41st summer at Yavneh (K’79). She has held many positions at Yavneh including Rosh Banot(head girls counselor). Estelle has well over 20 years teaching swimming and holds her WSI, lifeguarding CPR and First Aid instructor. She is married to Guy and has two children.

Adina Zarchan

Adina brings over 20 years of Jewish communal experience to the role of Director of Philanthropy and has devoted her professional career to building and strengthening the Jewish community. Before Joining Camp Yavneh, Adina served as Director of Major Gifts for New England for Jewish National Fund, and prior to that, Program Director of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, Arizona where she was responsible for overseeing fundraising, program development, leadership development and volunteer management. Additionally, Adina has held roles at both American Cancer Society and United Jewish Communities (currently known as Jewish Federations of North America). Adina is thrilled to again be part of the Yavneh family where she previously spent two fantastic summers as a camp counselor and Director of Arts and Crafts. You can still find her Maccabiah shelet on display in the Chedar Ochel! While raised in Newton, she has lived and worked in New York, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Phoenix and is happy to return to her roots.  

Scott Rubins

Scott returns for his 23rd year and was previously Rosh Banim. Scott has worked in the public safety world as a peace officer and for almost 30 years as an EMT with the Scarsdale Ambulance. He holds a Masters degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, teaches Forensic Science at New Rochelle High School and is an Adjunct Professor for Syracuse University. Scott comes to camp with his wife, Lisa and son, Jack.

Noam Borensztajn – K’16

Noam is excited to experience Kerem summer with his ayda, and is so excited to be a part of Kerem 16 and Kerem 21! This will be his 10th year at camp and his fourth on staff. He goes to UMass Amherst and is studying Psychology and Judaic Studies. Noam loves Zimriyah with his campers and is excited to renew the dynasty again this year (2019 was a fluke)! His favorite camp food is waffles and his favorite camp activity is just being at the Agam, he loves everything there! The Jewish tradition that is close to Noam's heart is Shabbat because Shabbat dinners are an amazing time to get together with the community.

Toby Mars – K ’16

Toby can’t wait for Kerem 2021! This is Toby's fourth summer on staff and 12th summer at Camp Yavneh. Toby is so excited to welcome everyone back for an epic Kerem 2021! Toby is an art major at The Ohio State University. Toby's favorite camp food is brownies on Shabbat and favorite camp activity is boating! Their favorite Camp masoret is KTV and Toby cannot wait to help Kerem 2021 host and have an awesome KTV this summer! Toby loves Shabbat, it is really important and significant to stop and take a moment every week to reflect on the past week and manifest good energy in the coming week. Toby owes their love of Shabbat to camp! It's the best time of the week :)

Abbey Rose- K’17

Abbey is extremely happy to be Rosh Maalot after an unforgettable summer with you guys in 2019. This will be her 11th summer at Camp, it would be her 12th if she went on Naaleh, and now she will finally be able to get her 10-year blanket! Abbey attends Washington University in St. Louis, and is double majoring in Fine Arts and Biology. She loves to soak in the Agam water and to hang out with and feed the goats! Her favorite food at Camp is the cheese cake you get at Tisha B'av break Fast. Her favorite masoret at camp is the Friday night mosh pits! Her favorite Jewish tradition is singing the Birkat after meals. She finds that taking a moment to acknowledge the time, effort, and labor that goes into getting food onto our plates incredibly humbling. (Abbey is counting down the days till we’re all back in the chadar, banging the tables when we get to “shir hamaalot”! Abbey is uber ready for Kayitz 2021 and cannot wait to see everyone again!    

Sophie Ana Paris- K’17

Sophie Ana is so excited for Maalot 2021! She cannot wait to be back with all of you and to see much you all have grown since Kayitz 2019. This will be her 11th summer at Camp and she has never been looking forward to the summer more than this upcoming one! Sophie Ana attends NYU and is studying the combination of biomedical engineering and disability studies. Her favorite camp food are M&M cookies and her favorite activity is dancing on Saturday nights after Havdallah! Her favorite Camp masoret is without a doubt Zimriyah!!! A Jewish tradition that Sophie Ana holds close to her heart is Kabbalat Shabbat because no matter where she is, it reminds her of Camp! Lets make Maalot 2021 the best summer ever!

Sam Greene- K’17

Sam cannot wait for Kayitz 2021 with Leviim! This is her 8th summer at Camp. Sam is a Sophomore at Tufts University and majoring in Psychology and minoring in Hebrew & Urban Planning. Her favorite food at camp is definitely the post-Tisha Ba'av salmon! Her favorite activity at camp is boating or the Slip n' slide and her favorite camp masoret (tradition) is Shabbat-o-gram giving and tishes! Sam and Josh are planning so many amazing activities, it is clear that Leviim 2021 is going to be unforgettable!

Josh Gladstone- K’17

Josh is beyond excited for Leviim 2021 this Summer! It will be his 13th summer at Camp and still going strong! Josh is a Sophomore at Brandeis University majoring in Sociology with minors in Social Policy and Legal Studies. His favorite camp food is Shepards Pie and favorite activity at camp is having fun on the Aqua kef at the Agam!One of his favorite Camp masorets (traditions) are tishes and being able to mosh after Zmirot, an upper camp tradition! A Jewish value that is close to his heart is taking the concept of Tzedakah, and applying it in a general sense to Social justice oriented work/topics to help others in the greater and immediate community. Josh can't wait to introduce all of his new campers to upper camp and watch them grow as people over the course of the summer!

Carly Marinstein- K’17

Carly can't wait to be back at Camp as Rosh Kfirim for Kayitz 2021! This will Carly's 10th summer at Camp and she is so excited to finally be able to get the 10-year blanket, given to everyone who made it 10 summers at Yavneh. During the year she is a student at the University of Connecticut as a Mathematics and Education double major. Carly hopes to become a teacher after college! She loves playing lap tag at Camp and eating General Tso's Chicken! An important Camp Masoret (tradition) for Carly are tisches, an upper camp tradition where you sing psalms and niguns with you aydah and it is a very spiritual and meaningful experience for many people. Keeping Shabbat is very important to Carly. Shabbat is her favorite day of the week as it allows you to relax and take time for yourself in a world when those self-care activities aren't usually fit into the agenda of everyday life.

Chelsea Clark- K’17

This summer will be Chelsea's 11th summer at camp and she is counting down the days until Gefen 2021! Now Chelsea is attending Lehigh University and she is studying biology and business. Her favorite camp food is bourekas and her favorite camp activity is free swim at the Agam! Her favorite masoret (tradition) at camp is singing in the Chadar Ochel on Saturday nights and you can feel the room being filled up with ruach and energy! Chelsea's favorite Jewish value is the idea of the Jewish people taking care of one another and the importance of community. Whenever she has gone to a new place, for example, last year Israel for her gap year and this year college, she finds the Jewish community and it feels like she never left home. Although it was a little bit different in Israel, joining the Jewish community at her University has helped her find her place on campus and find a group that she loves being a part of.

Max Rogal- K’17

This will be Summer will be year #12 at Camp for Max! Max has been at Camp longer than his Gefen campers have been alive and he is super excited to teach them everything he has learned through his years! Max is studying Applied Math at Northwestern University after taking a Gap Year at Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi in Jerusalem. Some things that Max loves at camp are when he gets to eat General Tso's chicken and swimming in the Agam! Shabbos is very important to Max, especially at Camp. He loves the change of pace after a hectic week and to be able to reflect and slowdown and have the ability to recharge his batteries. Kabalat Shabbat is also an important masoret for Max! Ushering in Shabbos on Friday evening is a very spiritual time and the energy is high and everyone is singing and it is a great way to welcome Shabbos. He is ready to make sure that Gefen 2021 is the best summer ever!

Shira Caplan- K’15

Shira Cannot wait for Gurim 2021! This will be here 12th summer at Camp and she is a senior at San Diego State University. Her favorite Camp food is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Her favorite activity at Camp is the whacky peulot erev (evening activity) that the counselors plan. Shira's favorite masoret (tradition) at Camp is Relish! A Jewish value that she holds close to her heart is kehillah (community). After moving across the country (from Massachusetts to California), she learned that finding a community where you belong is very important. No matter where she goes, whether it be Northwood or San Diego, she knows that she can find a welcoming Jewish community.

Dora Gordon- K’17

Dora is super excited for Kfirim 2021! This will be her eleventh summer at camp. Dora is studying political science at the University of Chicago and spent last year in Israel on a gap year program at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Her favorite camp food is the brownies on Shabbat morning. One of Dora's favorite camp activity is jumping on the Kangaruach and her favorite camp masoret is Relesh! There’s no better way to start Shabbat than with the energy Relesh creates! Regardless of whether Dora is at camp, in Israel, or at school, she finds Shabbat incredibly meaningful because of the way it brings communities together. Dora can’t wait to be back at camp and have an amazing summer with Kfirim!

Marcia Feldmann

Marcia has been the baker at Yavneh for six summers while her three children attended camp.  During the year, Marcia is the retreat coordinator  and once camp starts, she is the bakery and salad room manager and baker. Prior to this, she worked for three years as a chef at Bentley Commons Assisted Living in Bedford, New Hampshire, and had a catering business for seven years. She has an AAS in Veterinary Technology, BS in Biology and a BS in Medical Illustration. Marcia lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with her husband Bob, and three cats Stella Ella, Max Eugene and Ginger. Her children Molly, Deena and Eli currently attend Rochester Institute of Technology.

Shlomit Keehn

Shirah Rubin

Shirah Rubin’s work in Jewish education focuses on creative arts-based learning in Jewish educational frameworks.  Her past positions include Director of Education and Administration at BIMA at Brandeis; Art Department Head at Gann Academy; Director of Arts and Culture at Brown/RISD Hillel; and Director of Congregational Learning at Kehillath Israel. She is a sculptor who works in mixed media and has worked in ceramics, mosaics, glass and photography, often combining these media. She enjoys expressing ideas and feelings in a visual language using materials appropriate to the metaphorical, historical and social elements of a project. As a teaching artist she has developed art and professional development workshops for audiences ranging from pre-k through adult students and teachers in settings ranging from museums to universities. This year Shirah has participated in IAC Gvanim, a leadership program of the Israeli American Council in Boston. Shirah is excited to be serving as the new Director of Family Camp in 2020.

Tammy Schneider

Tammy has long been a fan of Jewish summer camp, having been a camper, counselor and a camper parent. Most recently, Tammy served as the camp administrator at a URJ camp,  spending three hot summers in Greensboro, N.C. Tammy has lived in the Boston area for most of her life. She earned a degree in finance from Boston University and spent a few years at Kibbutz Ketura in southern Israel, where she traveled the country extensively, from the Golan Heights to the Red Sea. Tammy currently lives in Newton, MA with her husband, Craig, and two children. She is active in her synogogue, and enjoys walking, ice skating, playing games and watching Jewish films as well as supporting her daughter’s theatre work in the Boston area (when not at summer camp) and her son’s Quidditch matches at McGill University.  

Ethan Naviasky

Ethan is now serving as Operations Coordinator. He helps manage the daily operations of Camp during the summer and to ensure a smooth running of Camp Yavneh. During the year his responsibilities include; retreat management, communications and social media, project management, and much more. Ethan has been at Yavneh for over a decade as a camper (K'15), counselor, rosh aydah (unit head), and operations associate and is now living in Boston. He is excited to be continuing his career with Camp Yavneh.

Suzi Polirer

Suzi Polirer, RN, has been on the nursing staff of Camp Yavneh since 1991! In addition to her B.S. in Nursing, NHTI 1982, Suzi has an A.B. from CCNY. She began her career as a teacher at MTJ in NY and she switched careers entering nursing and serving in the ER, endoscopy and finally transitioning to elementary school nursing in Florida in 2002. Suzi brings her broad spectrum of lifelong learning and nursing skills to the Marp – her summer home on Lucas Pond. Suzi is married to Rabbi Richie and their four children are Yavneh alums - Jonathan, Eric, Meredith and Daniel. Soon, her grandchildren will be among the chanichim at Yavneh, too!

Stacey Wyner

Stacey Wyner, APRN, FNP, joined the Marp staff in 2009. Her first experience with Yavneh was as a counselor in 1991 for Kfirim girls, then returned for Family Camp for a few summers with her husband and four children. Stacey has been working as a nurse practitioner for the past 20 years. Eighteen years were spent in a family practice in Connecticut and the last two years have been spent in a School-Based Health Clinic providing healthcare to underserved teens. Her children have all loved camp, only the younger two remain at Yavneh as campers. She is looking forward to another great summer at Yavneh.

Tamar Peterman- K’15

Tamar (Kerem '15, Naaleh '16) is a May 2021 graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing! Her favorite outdoor activity is sailing on the agam! When not at camp Tamar cannot live without her fan! This summer she is also bringing her stethoscope! A Jewish value that is close to Tamar's heart is Tikun Olam! She loves the idea that as Jewish people we are obligated to make the world a better place, not just for us, but especially for other everyone!

Yuni Shaw

Yuni is currently a nursing student at Temple University and am about to enter her Junior Year. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, journaling, baking, and cooking meals for her friends and family. Yuni also loves being outdoors and going on hikes. This will be her first summer at Camp Yavneh, and she is so excited to become a part of the Camp Yavneh team and to work with the campers!! Yuni looks forward to having a great summer and gain an amazing and unforgettable experience!!

Roseanne Lesack

Roseanne Lesack is the Director of a child psychology clinic in South Florida. She has also spent more than 15 summers at numerous summer camps in various positions from counselor, to teacher, to head of staff training. This will be her third summer at Yavneh and she is excited to work with the counseling staff and campers to offer support and training. She is also the mother of three Yavneh campers.

Charlotte Ross

Charlotte Ross is a math educator in the Newton Public Schools. She has spent many years attending camp, as a counselor and assistant camp director. This will be Charlotte’s first summer as part of Yavneh’s counseling staff but her sixth summer as a Yavneh parent. She looks forward to making this summer an amazing experience for the campers.  

Amy Siege

Amy Siege is a psychotherapist in private practice in Amherst, Massachusetts.  She has over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages dealing with a range of issues including anxiety and depression.  She is an Yavneh alumni parent and is looking forward to his first summer on tzevet as well.  This is her first summer working at Yavneh and she is excited to work with campers and staff to help everyone have a great summer.

Sarah Gershman

This is Sarah’s first summer working at Yavneh. Sarah is looking forward to ReLiSh at Yavneh and all of the special camp Shabbat traditions. One of her goals at camp is to go to the Agam every day. When she’s not at Yavneh, Sarah runs a business in Washington, DC teaching people how to speak in public. Sarah also directs middle school musicals. Sarah and her husband Daniel have four kids, Matan, Josie, Gabey, and Sammy.

Ann Lapin

Ann Lapin and her family live in Riverdale, NY. Year-round she teaches young children in Hebrew School and adults for "boot camp" but nothing is as exciting as being a professional (volunteer) mom to newborns before they are adopted or return to their biological families. If outdoors, Ann has to be in the sun.. Which means she is NEVER without sunscreen. Even in October! Jewish value that is very close to her heart is Hachnasat orchim, which means welcoming guests and is very important to her family. Ann looks forward to returning to a time when we can safely share meals with friends and neighbors in her home!

Marty Sullaway

Rachel Perdue

Rachel has been working as a professional artist for over 25 years. She has experience in painting, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics and art consulting. This is Rachel’s second summer at Camp Yavneh and she is looking forward to working with campers in the art room and creating a variety of projects. Three of her four children will be at camp with her and we are all excited for a new experience.

Elana Saenger

Elana has been coming to Camp Yavneh for eight years. She was the Director of Family Camp before moving to Riverdale, NY. During the summer, Elana co-directs the Gan for the staff children. Elana has many years of experience working in day school and preschool settings in the New York and Boston areas. During the year, she teaches and provides English as Second Language support to students at SAR Academy. She comes to camp with her son Eytan who is 16 and daughter Rebecca, who is 11. Yavneh is Elana's second home. She loves painting and playing outside with Yavneh's youngest "campers." In addition to spending time with her family, Elana enjoys reading, biking, traveling hiking, and doing arts and crafts.  

David Schlacht

David has been photographing at Yavneh for over 10 years. While living in New York and after moving to LA in 2008, he and his wife Harriet and three kids attended Family Camp at Yavneh for many years. More recently he has been part of camp as a father of a camper and as a photographer for the last three summers. When not out shooting you can find him out at night taking photos of the dark skies and Milky Way  or whale watching down in Gloucester.

Amy Meltzer

Amy is a speech language pathologist and works for the North Shore Consortium in Beverly, MA and also for Peer Projects Therapy from the Heart in Beverly, MA. She works with children and young adults.  Her favorite outdoor activity is playing ball games with her family like kickball and soccer. Amy can't leave home without her pink glasses and pillow! It might surprise people that she is bringing her guitar. The Jewish tradition where the parents bless their children on Friday nights is very close to Amy's heart. She has fond memories of her grandmother blessing her parents, of her parents blessing herself and her husband, and of her husband blessing their children over the years at the Shabbat table.  

Travis Corcoran

Travis is excited to start his first summer at camp as Rosh Etgar! He has been an avid Obstacle Course Racer for three years and lives for new endurance and adventure challenges! Travis has guided groups of all ages and abilities through NH's largest obstacle training facility, Derti OCR Training, right here in Northwood, NH! During the rest of the year, Travis teaches pre-k through 8th grade general music, band and chorus and coaches soccer, basketball and baseball in Acton, ME. Travis fills his free time practicing drums, training for obstacle races and enjoying life with his wife and baby daughter!

Adina Deutsch

Adina is thrilled to be coming back to Camp Yavneh for her 14th summer. As Rosh Mishlachat, her summers are spent guiding our Israeli madrichim (counselors) and planning high energy Israeli-themed activities and special programs in Hebrew, including Yom Israel celebrations. During the year, Adina lives in Efrat, Gush Etzion, and is a trained Physical Therapist who works with children with disabilities in schools, and with kindergarten children with autism. Through the Israeli Ministry of Education, she mentors other physical therapists. But mostly, Adina and her children count down the days until they can come back to their home away from home at Yavneh!

Mica Felsztyna

Mica is from Cordoba, Argentina and has a degree from the Institute of Physical Education and a diploma in Aerobic training. Mica’s specialty as an Air Aerobic teacher has been a hit at camp. This is Mica’s 6th summer at Yavneh. Mica is married to Marcelo.

Marcelo Marianoff

Marcelo is an Israeli Dance Teacher and choreographer from Cordoba, Argentina. In addition to teaching at the local Jewish school and Maccabi Club, Marcelo also teaches dance in camps, festivals and workshops all over the world. Some of the places that he travels include Switzerland, England, Peru, Finland, Turkey, Costa Rica, France, Russia, Venezuela, Panama, and Northwood, New Hampshire. This is Marcelo's nineth summer at Yavneh.

Jayne Miller

This is Jayne’s 16th summer bringing her craft to Yavneh. Jayne is skilled in and has taught spinning, quilting, enameling, jewelry and other subjects. She has taken and taught numerous art workshops over many years. She is married to Barry and has three children at Yavneh.

Jake Smith

Jake started singing at the age of 5 and went on to sing in competitive small ensembles and choirs. Studied as a soloist (with Bill Reed, Chuck Schneider, Lauri Young, and Amy Williams) from 15 on and Majored in Musical Theatre Performance (with a double minor in Psychopathology and Classical Literature) at Wagner College in NYC. He played clarinet in the VYO for several years and later picked up Piano and then Guitar. He sings as a Tenor section leader in the world renowned Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue Choir under the direction of Roi Azoulay. He won a Juno award for album of the year and a Grammy award for Rock Performance of the year for his work on Leonard Cohen's "You Want it Darker".

Marc Meltzer

Marc is a Combat Sports Coach and instructor in Traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing, Dutch Style Kickboxing and American Style Boxing. His favorite outdoor activity is anywhere in or around the water. Marc cannot leave home without his wife and kids! He will be bringing his tennis ball to camp, which is attached by an elastic to his baseball cap. Marc boxes with it, it’s like a hacky sack for your hands! Marc is always eager to listen to good d’var Torah and highly regards open dialogue and communication. 

Lisa Labat

Lisa has studied yoga for about 20 years and would teach prior to the pandemic. Now she is a homeschool mom for 2 wonderful kids. Lisa's favorite outdoor activity is hanging out with family and animals, she has 6 goats, 30+ chickens and 3 dogs! The item that she is bringing to camp is her kindle. The item that she bringing to camp that might surprise people is her yoga chimes. The Jewish tradition that is close to Lisa's heart is Yom Kippur. It is important to learn from your mistakes and make amends so that one can continually grow and evolve from a space of truth, forgiveness and love.

Jana Silver

Jana lives in Amherst MA and currently teaches future art teachers at the college level. When Jana is not working, she works in her pottery studio, and loves hiking and swimming under waterfalls. When packing for camp Jana makes sure to pack her very own coffee mug. Passover is a Jewish tradition close to her heart. It reminds her of being with her grandparents in their little apartment in the Bronx with an entire crew of cousins. Jana uses her grandma's Seder plate, dishes, and egg slicer (of course) and usually tells at least one or two stories. It brings her back to Jana more than any other time in the year.

Sarah Rovin

Sarah is a first year Rabbinical student at Hebrew College. Before moving to Boston to start school she worked as a JOFEE (Jewish outdoor food farming and environmental Education) Educator at Pearlstone for several years. In her free time Sarah enjoys singing with her friends and spending quality time with her bunny Rabbit Akiva! Sarah's favorite outdoor activity is a tie between camping and biking. Something surprising that Sarah is bringing to camp is her stuffed duck named Edward. She made him at one of those build a bear places when she was 12. Sarah loves Shavuot and Sukkot, partly because they bookend the growing season giving us a chance to step back and be amazed at creation and the abundance of our world.

Julie Leshem

Julie works in her ceramics studio teaching small groups of children and adults, and  makes pottery to sell during the year. Julie's favorite outdoor activities are swimming and hiking. She cannot leave home without her bathing suit and pictures of her family. It might surprise people, but Julie is  bringing pottery to camp with her. Shabbat is a tradition and a concept that is very important to her because it gives space to meditate and reconnect with yourself and nature.  

Ari Kwitkin Close- K’16

Ari is beyond excited to be co-rosh sport this summer at camp while also being able to still live in the bunk with the Kerem ‘22 banim! This will be his 12th summer at camp and the fourth on staff. During the year, he attends UMass Amherst as a sport management student and will be going into his senior year in the fall. While Ari loves sports more than anything, his favorite time at camp is Shabbat because of the magical atmosphere it creates within the camp.

Jonathan Gomolka- K’13

Jonathan is super excited to be back at Camp as Rosh Drama! Year round, Jonathon is an actor living in New York City and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Pace University. Jonathon's favorite activity at camp is swimming in the Agam! When packing for camp, Jonathon can’t forget to bring his mother, Estelle. Jonathon has never been at camp without her, and this summer won’t be any different! A jewish value that is close to Jonathon's heart is Yom Hashoah. All four of Jonathan's Grandparents survived the Holocaust - and telling their stories is one of the biggest mizvot one can perform.

Mishael Dee

Marlene Rachelle

Nechi Sapir

Allie Abels – K’14

Allie Abels (Kerem 2014, Naaleh 2015) is back at camp for her 12th summer (13th if you count having planned to go back to camp for summer 2020). Allie is currently getting her masters in Occupational Therapy at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. She loves hiking, especially the famous Leviim Welch-Dickey Hike and knows that swimming in the agam is the summer activity that can't be beat! Her field hockey stick and tennis racquet will be coming with her to camp this summer, as tennis chug (elective) is her favorite, with sports chug (elective) being a close second. Allie cannot wait to be back in the 03261!

Will Barry – K’13

Will is super excited to return for his 14th summer at Yavneh! He was member of Kerem 13 and calls NH home. During the school year he teaches high school at Harlem Children's Zone and lives in New York City. His favorite place at camp is the Agam!!!

Itzik Shalem-Kaminsky

Sara Birnbaum

Sara Birnbaum has more than 17 years of experience in synagogue schools, Jewish camps and United Synagogue Youth. Sara recently served as the educational director at Congregation Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale, NY. Sara received her MSW from YU and her Bachelor’s in Family Studies from Hofstra University. In addition, she began her Rabbinical studies at JTS and is continuing at the Academy for Jewish Religion. Sara and her husband Dan enjoy spending free time with their four children (all at Yavneh this summer) traveling, bike riding, spending time at the beach and playing sports.

Rabbi Karen Citrin

Karen attended Yavneh as a camper, counselor and rosh aydah from 87-96. She serves as co-rabbi and educator at Temple Beth David in Westwood, MA. A graduate of Brandeis, Karen received her smicha from the Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the HUC-JIR. As Yavneh shaped her Jewish identity, Karen looks forward to teaching and engaging the next generation. Karen will be joined at camp by Micah and their twin sons, Itai and Yonah.

Rabbi Micah Citrin

Micah is co-rabbi and educator at Temple Beth David in Westwood, MA. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Micah received his smicha from the Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. Micah spent many memorable summers as a camper, counselor, song leader, rosh aydah and director of education in California. Most importantly, Micah is abbato 4th grade twins Itai and Yonah.

Limor Cohen Melul

Limor is a native Hebrew speaker and has been involved in Jewish education for over two decades. Limor currently teaches Judaic and Hebrew Studies at Maimonides school, as well as mentoring teachers at Brandeis University. Limor strongly believes that knowing Hebrew can deepen one’s connection to Jewish identity and to Israel. This is Limor’s 8th summer working at Camp Yavneh.

Rabbi Richard Polirer

Richard Polirer, aka Rabbi Richie, has been a Moreh at Yavneh since 1992. A pulpit Rabbi since 1977, he brings to Yavneh his wide array of teaching expertise. Rabbi Richie coordinates Torah readers for the Egalitarian Minyan, delivers the news from Israel and helps prepare children for their B’nai Mitzvah. He comes to us from Florida where we pursues his interests, including history, linguistics and chazzanut. Rabbi Richie is accompanied at Yavneh by his wife, Nurse Suzi.

Shimrit Goidel

Shimrit is a 4th grade Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher at Schechter Boston. Shimrit's favorite outdoor activities are hiking with her family and sitting around the fire pit, and making pizza. An item that she will definitely bring with to camp is a (very) big purple elephant that belongs to her 3 years old girl. This elephant came with the family to Israel, Canada, Mexico, and they can't leave the house without it! A holiday that is really close to her heart is Yom Ha'atzmaut. It makes her feel very connected to Israel. To celebrate Shimrit usually goes on a camping with friends, and then join a family bbq.

Akiva Nelson

Rabbi Saul Strosberg (Rosh K’02)

Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold

Rabba Rachel - pronounced the Hebrew way, “Rakhel”, serves as a member of the clergy at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal. As the Rabba and Director of Education, Rachel gives classes and sermons, officiate lifecycle events, offer spiritual care, and oversee programs for youth and young families at the synagogue. Her favorite outdoor activity is hiking or wandering around a city she has never been to. Exploring a new setting always brings great surprises! Rabba Rachel will bring her yoga mat to camp. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, and it has grounded her through many ups and downs. She can’t wait to do some yoga at the agam! Rabba Rachel loves the holiday of Sukkot. You bring your meals from inside your homes into the outdoors, and then after a week you bring that outdoor feeling back inside. She think it challenges what we mean by the concept of “home”, and it awakens a new awareness of something so basic as where we eat our meals.