Camp Staff

Jane-Rachel Schonbrun

Jane-Rachel Schonbrun is a Jewish educator and community builder who has spent more than two decades working in a variety of Jewish communal organizations, including camps, JCCs, schools, synagogues, and social service agencies.  Prior to joining Camp Yavneh in 2022, she served as Director of Institutional Advancement at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.  Before that, Jane-Rachel worked as Director of Foundation Relations at Avodah, as a Program Director at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA, and as Director of Student Life at Kehillah High School (also in Palo Alto). As a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, Jane-Rachel earned her MS in Social Work from Columbia University and her MA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary's Graduate School.  A Baltimore native, Jane-Rachel studied as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. Her college experience was enhanced by two years studying in Israel and summers leading teen programs in Israel, Poland, and across the U.S.   Jane-Rachel’s favorite camp activities include rikud (dance), all-things omanut (art), and swimming in the agam (lake).  When she’s not at camp, Jane-Rachel lives with her partner, Rabbi Aaron Schonbrun, and their four kids in Deal, NJ.

Netanel Spiegel

Netanel is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Camp Yavneh, working for camp year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Netanel joined the Camp Yavneh family in 2012 as a member of Camp's Food Service (YFS) and has taken on more and more responsibilities in the continued management of camp. Netanel spends 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!

Elizabeth Chipkin

Elizabeth Chipkin got her start in the disability world via the Jewish camping world.  Starting at Ramah Palmer, then bringing the first participants with special needs to Ramah's Israel summer program, with the last seven years spent as the Director of Special Needs and Inclusion at Ramah Berkshires.  A New Englander from birth, she grew up in Massachusetts and then attended University of Maryland (#goterps), where she got a Master's in Special Education and a Minor in Jewish studies. After finishing her degrees, Elizabeth spent a year living and learning in Israel at Pardes Jewish Institute.  When she's not at camp, Elizabeth lives in Silver Spring MD and works in Montgomery County Public School outside of Washington DC as a special education teacher, working with students on academic, social, and vocational skills.  Elizabeth loves reading novels, bicycling, and snuggling with her cat.  Elizabeth's favorite place in camp is the middle of the lake (agam).

Shore Goldberg – K’18

After a short hiatus, Shore is incredibly excited to be coming back to Camp Yavneh! Shore has spent the last five years working as part of senior leadership at Camp Givah in Albany, NY, and is currently earning his BA in Graphic Design at Binghamton University. Since he was in high school, Shore has been eager to help strengthen and build bonds within the Jewish communities. From Teaching at various Hebrew schools to volunteering with Northeast NCSY and NCSY Alumni, Shore has always done whatever he can to help ensure a bright future for Jewish youth- and is incredibly excited to bring that energy to his new role as Registrar and Office administrator at Camp Yavneh! Shore currently lives in Vestal, NY with his wife Shajar.

Rhonda Lake Cohen

Rhonda is thrilled to be back at Camp Yavneh as Business Administrator after attending camp from 1978 through 1983. She tells everyone she meets that Camp Yavneh truly shaped her as a person and that camp is one of her favorite childhood memories. Rhonda earned a BSEE from Tufts University and an MBA from Northeastern University. Rhonda recently relocated back to the Boston area after spending over 25 years in Morris County, New Jersey, where she and her late husband Mike raised two daughters, Allison and Deanna. She spent most of her career in engineering, but more recently, was the business manager for her town’s public library. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys reading, going to the gym, watching sports and traveling.

Ethan Naviasky – K’15

Ethan is excited to continue his time at Yavneh as the Operations Manager. Working year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Ethan has been at Yavneh since 2011; first as a a camper (K'15), counselor, and rosh aydah (unit head). Ethan started working full time in 2021 after graduating with a B.A. in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo. He is currently living in Denver and enjoys skiing, sports, board games, reading, and spending time with friends when he is not at Camp. Ethan is counting down the days until he is back in Northwood working hard to make the summer a success!

Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch

Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch has been a valuable member of our summer Hanhallah (leadership team) serving as our Rosh Tzeirim (Head of Lower Camp) since 2022. Prior to joining Yavneh's summer staff, Bentie has 16 years of experience working at Jewish overnight camps in the US, Israel, and Europe. Most recently, he worked as Program Director at Camp Svarvas in Hungary for six years. During the year, Bentie has worked as a school social worker: at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan (2017-2023), and at the Shefa School (2023-2024). He earned his Masters degree at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and he has a certificate in Experiential Education from Yeshiva University. Bentie will bring his vast camp experience, as well as his expertise as a mental health provider working with kids, to this newly created role.

Deb Shafran

Deb is thrilled to join the Yavneh Family! With a background in education and experience working with teens, young adults, and staff, she eagerly anticipates integrating her skills into the camp community. Holding a Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education, along with a Masters in Special Education, Deb brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Originally from Upstate NY, Deb has spent the past 18 transformative years in Israel,. She is enthusiastic about infusing her love of Judaism, Israel and community into the Yavneh Kehillah. When not at camp, Deb resides in Albany NY with her husband and three children – Rami, Matan, and Dina.

Zvi Zobin

Zvi Zobin most recently served as the Director of Atid at Jewish Federations of North America where he helped launch a next-gen philanthropy program. Prior to this role, Zvi served as IKAR's Director of Membership and Community Giving in Los Angeles where he increased their annual membership revenue by 45%. At IKAR, Zvi worked with the membership committee to create IKAR circles and launch the IKAR from Afar membership model. Zvi has an MA in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute and a B.S. in Business Management from Yeshiva University. He has spent several summers at Camp Moshava Ennismore in Canada, and on Mach Hach BaAretz, a summer tour of Israel for teens completing the tenth grade. Zvi’s passion for the Jewish Community led him to become a Birthright Israel Fellow and BBYO Jewish Educator. When not working, you can find Zvi supporting youth as a volunteer for the Trevor Project, taking group fitness classes, and cooking.

Russ Bassett

Russ started working at Camp Yavneh in 2006. He is a retired firefighter and loves to go fishing when he has the time for it. Russ lives in Pittsfield, NH and has 8 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Russ most looks forward to opening day every summer and seeing all the happy campers! Russ's favorite place at the machaneh is the porch of bunks B5 and B6 because they overlook the agam.  

Eric Bickford

Eric lives in Derring, NH. Eric has two cats, named Lioness and Lotus. This is Eric's second summer at camp and his place is the office because of all the new additions that he made this year!

Eli Friend-Gray

Eli lives in Nottingham, NH with his 3 kids, 1 dog, 2 cats, and 20 chickens! This is Eli's fourth summer at camp and his favorite place is the agam.

Nicky Oates

Nicky lives in Pittsfield, NH. She has 3 children, 3 dogs, 4 geckos, 1 hamster, and 10 ducks and chickens! This is Nicky's fifth summer at camp and her favorite place is lunch in the dining hall and the Kolbo.

Mark Tibbets

Mark lives in Deerfield, NH. This summer is his 18th summer at camp and his favorite place is the White Sukkah. According to Mark, the most beautiful scene is standing in the Sukkah overlooking the amazing fields all the way into the forest.

Jess Townes

Jess lives in Pittsfield, NH. She has 3 daughters, one cat, and one crested gecko. This will be Jess's third summer at camp and her favorite place is the agam.

Dr. Benji Davis

Dr. Benji Davis is the Israel Institute Teaching and Research Fellow at George Mason University and the founding director of IMPACT Israel Education. An American-born Israeli educator and scholar, Benji was honored with the 2024 Harold Wechsler Award for Emerging Scholars by the Network for Research in Jewish Education (NRJE) for his research on Israel in American Jewish education. A fellow at the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education and a member of the Birthright Israel Education Committee, Benji holds a PhD in Education from the University of Haifa. While Benji calls Jerusalem home, he currently lives in the DC area with his wife Rachel and their three daughters Maia, Ella, and Lia during his Israel Studies Teaching & Research Fellowship.

Molly Goldberg – K’15

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.

Amy Newman

Adina Smith – K’18

Adina Smith (Kerem '18, Na'aleh '19) is so excited to return for her 10th summer at Camp Yavneh! A former madricha and rosh aydah, Adina is thrilled to step into a new role as Rosh Tzeirim (Head of Middle Camp) for 2025. Her favorite camp activities include ReLiSh (Ruach Lifnei Shabbat) every week, swimming in the agam, and experiencing the incredible ruach at Zimriyah. Since graduating from Connecticut College in 2024, Adina has been working towards her master's degree in social work at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, she loves trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and exploring Philadelphia. Adina can't wait to see all the new and familiar faces at camp this summer!

Alanna Wolf – K’08

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.