Camp Yavneh at 80: Reflecting on the Past, Inspiring the Future

The early 2000s saw one of Yavneh’s biggest campus transformations made possible through “The Big Dig,” a State of New Hampshire-driven project. The state-funded work created new septic fields, which in turn made way for beautifully renovated ball fields, the new Tzippori amphitheater, and a brand-new Sukkat Bogrim. When campers arrived for summer 2004, they walked into a transformed camp!

Tell us about your family’s involvement at Yavneh

I’m proud to be a third-generation Yavnehnik. My grandfather was involved from the very beginning and taught at camp during the summer as he was a professor at Hebrew College. My dad, Bruce,  grew up at Yavneh and was the Rosh Agam before Estelle Gomolka. He was able to convince my mom, Lisa, to come for a few summers, and she planned all the staff night activities. 

My two brothers and I were there for many summers—we went through Kerem, Na’aleh, and became counselors. I even came back as a teacher one summer! This August, I am coming back to camp for the Bogrim Shabbaton. I am so excited to share camp with my young children and introduce them to the magic of Yavneh!

How did your time at camp shape who you are today, both personally and professionally?

Yavneh gave me the space to try everything—whether it was making the basketball team or getting a role in the play. It was big enough for opportunity, but small enough that everyone mattered. I formed my closest friendships there—we’re still in a group chat, and one of my old bunkmates lives across the street from me!

What stood out during camp was how Jewish life wasn’t a chore—it was a joy. My ayda loved tisches on Friday nights; we’d sing and share stories for hours. Camp brought people from all kinds of Jewish backgrounds together, and it did so with deep substance. That made a huge impression on me—Judaism that’s spiritual and alive. 

Creativity was another big part. We did Parsha Players skits poking fun at daily camp life. KTV was huge—lip-sync performances, bunk skits, and videos for Maccabiah breakout. As a counselor, organizing these events taught me how to inspire and lead a team.

Professionally, I’m in sales and business development, and a lot of that is about building relationships—something camp taught me well. I also serve as a city councilor in Newton, MA, and my connection to community and caring about collective well-being were definitely shaped by my time at Yavneh. Yavneh connections even supported me during my campaign!

Did a camp counselor or staff member have a lasting influence on you? What did you learn from them?

Estelle Gomolka was such a powerful role model—the Agam staff felt like a community within a community. She taught us that leadership is a privilege and that we had to take our responsibilities seriously, even at a young age. I have to put in a shameless plug for the Estellebration this summer, please join us at camp on August 17 to honor Estelle for her 50th summer at camp!

Rabbi Leibish Hundert was a spiritual guide. He got people to connect with Judaism and with God in a deep, personal way. He helped us see there was something bigger than ourselves.

Debbie Sussman had a big influence too. I worked with her as a staff member and later as an alumni ambassador. I got to see all the hard work that goes into camp year-round. I was really impressed by her creativity, dedication, and leadership style.

What advice would you give to current campers or staff about making the most of their experience?

Enjoy it—there’s truly nothing like Yavneh. It goes by fast. Take the time to connect with as many people as you can. Relationships are at the heart of this experience, and you never know how they’ll shape your life down the road.

During the 90s, Yavneh grew in every way possible. By ’95 many bunks were expanded to accommodate the growing camper population, and the Kerem girls  were the first Yavneh campers to have showers in their bunks (which was exciting until they discovered that they were responsible for squeegying the floors during nikayon!).

Tell us about your family’s involvement at Yavneh

My mom went to Yavneh in the Summer of 1958 and loved it. In 1980, when I was four, my mom returned to Yavneh as a Hebrew teacher, so I spent the summer in the Gan. My siblings worked at Camp Yavneh in 1985. I was nine that summer and went to camp with them. I loved it so much that I extended my stay and stayed the whole summer. I continued going to Yavneh through K’92 and worked as a counselor from 1993-1996. In 1996, I was Co-Rosh Arayot with Jon Golden, also known as “Jonny G.”

While at Harvard during my second semester as a senior, I got a call from Debbie Sussman. A Rosh Ayda had canceled, and they needed someone to take over as Rosh Maalot. Despite going through some health challenges, I accepted the offer and moved into the White House for the summer of 1999. When I arrived at camp, Steve Shimshak was there to greet me, and we started dating that summer! Our first date was in the staff lounge where we watched A League of Their Own! Sports-related for Steve and women’s empowerment for me:).

How did your time at camp shape who you are today, both personally and professionally?

Camp Yavneh is where I met my incredible husband of 20 years, the one and only Steve Shimshak K’94. Steve and I got engaged in 2004! Steve grew up Orthodox, and I grew up Conservative so Yavneh’s pluralistic environment gave us the opportunity to connect when we wouldn’t have met otherwise. 

I’ve always been fascinated by pluralism. It’s something I’ve dedicated a lot of thought and energy to over the years. My family is pluralistic, with relatives in both Israel and the USA, which has shaped how I see the world today. I feel comfortable at Tfilah in any shul I walk into, and owe that skill to Yavneh! 

My first job in the Jewish community was in 2007 when I led the Cornerstone Fellowship at the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC). I revamped the program and had the chance to visit camps all over North America, from Jackson, MI to Vancouver Island. In 2011, we moved to Boston and I worked at Gann Academy for Jonny G., my Co-Rosh Ayda in 1996!

In 2021, Steve was head of lower camp so we spent the whole summer there. I even brought my twin six-year-old daughters to Gan, making it a full-circle moment, along with our dog Lucy the yorkipoo. And of course, I still sing Shir Eidah or Shir Plugah whenever I hear a camp song on the radio.

Did you make lasting friendships during your time at camp? How have those relationships impacted your life?

I made some of my best friends at camp, especially with the group from K’92. I stayed in close touch with other alums who were also in NYC post-college and still keep in touch with them today. When I moved back to Boston, the K’92 crew was incredibly welcoming. We’ve stayed close ever since, celebrating holidays together, including an annual New Year’s party. We’re always there for each other, whether it’s on birthdays or just everyday life.

Did a camp counselor or staff member have a lasting influence on you? What did you learn from them?

Debbie Sussman, and Estelle Gomolka are a few leaders that come to mind, and of course Rabbi Dov Lerea who officiated our wedding with 50 Yavneh folk in attendance! Rabbi Dov met with me and Steve for a year before our wedding as we prepared and learned about the sanctity of the marriage ceremony. His leadership helped us shape our marriage in our early years and we remember him fondly 20 years later this spring! Joel Sussman also sang me and Steve down the aisle since I was such a big Safam fan. Their music played a pivotal role during my time at Yavneh!

I gained so many skills at Yavneh throughout the years. I learned to swim at the Agam and gained confidence as a swimmer at Yavneh. I was Rosh Plugah in Maccabia in Kerem as well as Lisa’s assistant in programming for a few years and still use a lot of those skills today as a parent and Jewish professional. I learned how to lead a team of staff, and how to manage teens, skills that I know will be helpful as I move forward in my career and at home as my kiddos now become tweens soon.

What advice would you give to current campers or staff about making the most of their experience?

Continue making memories and keep the masoret (tradition) alive!

Learn about the camp’s history—take the time to find out more. It will help you as you design for the future, and it’ll make your experience that much richer.

The Shimshak family in Needham, MA before spending the summer at Camp Yavneh in 2021. Steve was head of lower camp so the family spent the whole summer at Yavneh. Bringing their twin six-year-old daughters to Gan, made it a full-circle moment for Becca!

Did you know the 70s represented an era of great prosperity for Camp Yavneh? The population of the camp grew, and Yavneh flourished in many areas. In the 80s, there was a hot air balloon rally, meteors falling from the sky, and a monster emerging from the archaeological dig. Oy!

Tell us about your family’s involvement at Yavneh 

Camp Yavneh has had a lasting impact on who I am today, both personally and professionally. My family’s connection to Yavneh is deep—my siblings, cousins, and I were campers in the 70s and 80s, and both of my parents were involved in camp during their youth. Over the years, my brothers became counselors, and I took on leadership roles as Rosh Ayda and sgan rosh agam. For many years Yavneh wasa central part of our family.

How did your time at camp shape who you are today, both personally and professionally? 

My time at Yavneh greatly influenced my career as a Developmental Psychologist. Starting as a camper in Kfirim under Abe Yavnover, and later serving as a counselor during Mike Libenson, Avi Teken and Margie Berkowitz’s leadership, I learned the value of guiding and mentoring young people. These experiences sparked a passion for working with youth that has shaped my professional path. Although my current career is loosely connected to Yavneh, it’s clear that my camp experiences played a pivotal role in shaping my desire to mentor and help young people grow.

Did you make lasting friendships during your time at camp? How have those relationships impacted your life?

The friendships I formed at Yavneh are some of the most meaningful in my life. There’s something special about the bonds created in the intense, shared environment of camp. These friendships have endured over the years, and with camp friends, you can always pick up right where you left off. The sense of community and the common experiences at Yavneh make these connections lasting and deep.

Did a camp counselor or staff member have a lasting influence on you? What did you learn from them?

Several mentors had a lasting influence on me during my time at camp. Frieda Lach Dahukey, who was rosh agam while I was a camper, kerem kid, and waterfront counselor, became a close friend and a guiding figure in my life. Susie (Ungar) Green was a counselor when I was a camper and we then worked together at the agam, she too was an important mentor. I also learned a great deal from Margie Berkowitz, whose leadership and care for others taught me important values that I continue to apply in my work.

What advice would you give to current campers or staff about making the most of their experience?

The lessons from Yavneh go beyond just activities. The power of experiential education—learning by doing—is something I carry with me today. My advice to current campers and staff is to embrace the magic of camp, as it offers unparalleled opportunities for growth, and the friendships and lessons you gain will last a lifetime.