from Cornell University and an M.P.A. Avi lives in White Plains with his wife, Cantor Adina Frydman, and their children, Yadid, Yishama, Emunah, and Libi. Jim and his wife Stephanie love spending time with their adult children and their families, including 11 grandchildren. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search. in Special Education from the University of Florida (including a year study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem), and a M.S. Professionally, Elisa was president of FreshPro, a leading fresh-cut produce company serving the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic food industry. In her free time she enjoys playing guitar, writing comedy sketches, and competitive TV show trivia. He spent 17 years as a camper and then educator at Ramah Camps in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and YUSSR camps in the Former Soviet Union. Teri joined the FJC team in 2016. In August 2019, Stacie sold her equity stake and exited Mtier to focus on her mental health, her family, and to launch a more personal project, PLZ&THX, a new-age brand incubator and venture fund. Seth Adelsberg Current Workplace. He spends the majority of his time volunteering for various organizations, and serves on the board of directors of Kahal: Your Jewish Home Abroad, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago, the Hillels of Illinois Governing Commission and Northwestern University Hillel. He is a past president of the New York section of the ACA and past chair of the Tri State Camping Conference. (JTA) Rabbi Ethan Linden, director of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, is taking a leave of absence while his handling of a 2018 sexual assault allegation involving two campers is investigated, the camp announced Friday. Elisabeth holds a M.A in Political Science and International Relations from Universite de Paris VIII and an MBA from Strayer University School of Business, Washington, DC. Due to the allegations that have been made against Camp and our Camp Director, we are placing Rabbi Ethan Linden on administrative leave effective immediately. A graduate of American University with a B.S. Mallory graduated from Washington College with a B.A. Hewas born and raised in Honesdale, Pa. andattended summer camp at Trails End Camp for fourteen incredibly formative years. Shelley Niceley Groff, an attorney by profession, currently devotes her full-time efforts to community service and activism. Camp Ramah director placed on administrative leave She also ghostwrites and edits books, primarily in the diet, lifestyle and wellness sector, including, most recently, the best-selling Fair Play, which tackles the issue of how couples can more equitably tackle domestic life responsibilities. Most importantly, he is the father of his beloved son A.J. Julie is a member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federations of North America. Before joining Foundation for Jewish Camp in 2008, Avi was the Campus Rabbi and Assistant Director of the St. LouisHillel at Washington University and has held numerous positions as rabbi, educator, and youth leader. Alison Goldstein Lebovitz is a television host, speaker, author, and podcaster who believes we each have the power and responsibility to make this world a better place. Currently he serves as the Board Chair of the Foundation for Jewish Camp having jointed that board in 2012. Julie earned an MBA from the George Washington University as a Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Maryland. In addition to providing consultation and support to seven new Jewish camps, she has provided consulting support to more than 30 struggling camps, enabling them to achieve financial success and sustainability. Maryn holds a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Arizona. Julie serves on the board of The Davidson School for Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and he is the former president and current member of the board and executive committee of the UJA of Northern New Jersey and the Bergen County YJCC. She is also a mom of three young children, a committed conservative Jew, and an involved member of Park Avenue Synagogue. The company, nearing its 60th year, has now welcomed a 3rd generation of family members into the workplace. As Senior Director of Finance and Administration at Foundation for Jewish Camp, Elisabeth Williams, is responsible for the organizations financial functions, including accounting, audit, finance, and investments. He resides in Manhattan, with his wife Ilana, as do their children, Ittamar, & Aileen and Shai, and one grandson. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Columbia University and an M.B.A. in General Management from Harvard Business School. In the lawsuit, Linden was accused of a series of missteps related to a 2018 incident in which a female, teenage camper reported waking up to find a male camper with his hands on and inside her genitals. In 2015, she co-founded Mtier Creative (a joint venture with NEXT Model Management) to help guide brands both big and small into this rapidly changing, culturally driven, social-first marketplace. Rabbi Ethan Linden, director of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, is taking a leave of absence while his handling of a 2018 sexual assault allegation involving two campers is investigated, the. Rabbi Ethan Linden, director of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, is taking a leave of absence while his handling of a . A founding board member and past president of Project Morry, a nonprofit summer camp and year-round youth development program, Michele was also past president of the Ben Appelbaum Foundation, an organization that mentored emerging entrepreneurs. Plus, she enjoys chocolate, social-impact documentaries and movies with morals, running, storytelling, exploring cultures through travel, the High Line Park, and living Western Queens with her partner, Dan. She began her career at the age of 21 as a founding member of The Coveteur, a content-to-commerce media company. Camp Ramah in California. This past summer, Susie was responsible for camper care and staff development for the oldest edot at Camp Ramah Darom. The lawsuit also states that Linden discouraged the girl from telling her parents about the incident, and that police had to ask Linden and other camp officials twice before they removed the boy from camp. He believes in the power of Jewish camp to create young, committed, joyful Jews. Maryn is excited to use her experience, education and passion for mental health and inclusion to help support Community Care for the field of Jewish camping! After college, she was a counselor for Young Judaeas gap year program in Israel. Favorite camp activity: singing, stories, and smores around the campfire. Her dedicated lay leadership include roles at the Jewish Federation (including campaign chair), Jewish Family Service, Jewish Day School and her synagogue, Herzl Ner Tamid. In her role at the FJC, Briana oversees a portfolio of programs for field professionals and, as a Chicago area resident, has the pleasure of connecting with local Jewish camps and community. Some of her best memories are from her days at Camp Foxtail, Camp Ramah in California, and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Copyright 2023 The Forward Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Anita grew up in Cleveland, OH, where she still lives with her husband, Michael D. Siegal. To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. You can reach him at [emailprotected] and follow him on Twitter @arnorosenfeld. Meet Our Interim Director SUSIE CHARENDOFF Susie joins the Ramah Berkshires family with an invaluable blend of 25 years of organizational leadership experience, entrepreneurial vision, and a passion for the power of Jewish camping to nurture and transform children's lives. Camp Ramah in the Berkshires - Jewish Overnight Summer Camp in NY Briana earned her MBA as an FJC Bildner Graduate Fellow from University of Washington and received her B.A. In 2014, the Siegals endowed the One Happy Camper program in Cleveland, Ohio due their strong belief that by providing these children with Jewish camping experiences, they will discover the joy of being Jewish and want to continue celebrating their heritage throughout their lives.. Summer Camp Ramah in the Berkshires PO Box 515 Wingdale, NY 12594-0515 P: (845) 832-6622 Winter1086 Teaneck Road Suite 5B Teaneck, NJ 07666 P: (845) 832-6622 Rentals & Retreats Events Blog Contact Us He is a past Chair of the Board of Moishe House, the Immediate Past Chair of the San Francisco Jewish Federation, and a board member of the Jewish Federations of North America. His involvement with International Hillel included service as both Chair of International Hillels Board of Trustees and Board of Governors. Julie works on initiatives that support Jewish camps and their leaders, particularly those aimed at enhancing the counselor experience. They split their time between Boca Raton and Los Angeles. Micheles nonprofit experiences focus on another of her lifelong passion forming and developing new nonprofit organizations focusing on youth development. She is a former Outward Bound wilderness guide and trip leader for both Tamarack Camps and Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute and is the proud founding director of the Teva Learning Center. Amy is the Senior Jewish Educator at Foundation for Jewish Camp. He and his wife Sari, live primarily in NYC with the balance in Hawley, PA. Copyright 2023 Foundation for Jewish Camp. While attending JTS Rabbinical School, Ethan became a senior staff member at Camp Ramah in New England, and upon ordination in 2007 assumed the role of assistant director for . Due to the allegations that have been made against Camp and our Camp Director, we are placing Rabbi Ethan Linden on administrative leave effective immediately, Richie Friedman, president of Ramah Berkshires, wrote in an email to community members Friday morning. Elisabeth lives in New Jersey with her husband and 3 boys. Susan Sacks is a long-time active leader in the Chicago Jewish community and works passionately to engage more teens in Judaism through camp, Israel experiences, and Jewish music. Henry has been involved with FJC across a variety of roles, beginning as a Cornerstone Fellow, followed by the Cornerstone Event Internship, and maintained a connection by establishing, and ultimately co-chairing, the Cornerstone Alumni Board (CAB). Favorite Camp Activity: Friday night- services, song session, and Israeli dance! The memory of those buses is sweet. Adena Leon is thrilled to be joining the FJC team as an FJC Fellow focusing on Day Camp and Early Childhood Education programming. Judy was also a co-founder of Shop.org, a national group of pioneering digital executives, which was ultimately acquired by The National Retail Federation. Campus. Favorite thing at camp: giving Paper Plate Awards. He since served on many philanthropic boards including Jewish Federation, Israel Bonds, American Friends of Magen David Adom, and currently serves as vice-president of JPRO Network, the North American professional association for Jewish communal practitioners. and to ensure that the magic of camp is felt year-round and lifelong. CAMP RAMAH IN THE BERKSHIRES INC - GuideStar Profile She is active in the Reform Movement, serving on the Union for Reform Judaism North American Board and Oversight Committee. Judy currently serves as Secretary on the Samis Foundation Board and is the incoming Chair of its Grants Committee. Meet Our Interim Director - Camp Ramah in the Berkshires A screenshot from Camp Ramah New England's Facebook page shows Rabbi Ethan Linden (center) two days after the lawsuit against him was filed. Previously, she has worked for secular and Jewish nonprofits focused on children, youth, and families in a variety of data management and programmatic roles. She is a graduate of CUNY Queens College where she studied Media Studies and Business & Liberal Arts. We are sorry for the pain this has caused to all parties involved and to our beloved community. On Wednesday, Friedman sent an email to the group that was more supportive of Lindens actions. Diane is the current Financial Resource Development Chair at FJC. She then made Aliyah and received her M.A. A south Florida native, Jill moved north to attend NYU followed by seven years in tv news production, as a directing and operations supervisor at NY1 News. Amy is the author of three childrens books A Mezuzah on the Door, The Shabbat Princess, and Harvest Blessings and the Jewish parenting blog Homeshuling. Email Mallory at Mallory.KahnJohnston@jewishcamp.org. Currently Rich is a principal of the Boston Equity Group, a boutique venture capital firm, which invests in a variety of early stage business ventures. He and his wife Melanie and their family live in Ottawa. Rabbi Resnick has been at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires in Wingdale, N.Y., for 29 years; for most of that time he's been the camp's director. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish National Fund-Illinois, and Chicagos Jewish Women Foundation. Please check back for updates. Kay was acquired by Ecolab, Inc. in 1995. She and Doug have three children: Sarah, Max and Eli, and an awesome rescue dog named Sadie. Diane Lipson Schilit of Key Biscayne, Florida and Bethesda, Maryland has been a long-time fan of and supporter of Jewish camping and communal organizations. Rebecca currently sits on the executive board of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, is the immediate past president of the alumni association and is the 2018 recipient of the Alumni Leadership Award. David also spent 14 summers as a camper, counselor, and unit head at Camp Interlaken JCC in Eagle River, Wisconsin. He stated that the lawsuit involved two campers, who were both minors at the time and that Linden had contacted state authorities about the misconduct and provided a sworn affidavit to law enforcement. Camp Ramah is a religiously oriented camp that observes the laws of Shabbat and kashrut. Samuel Bronfman Foundation 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. Camp Ramah in California | Summer Camp | Retreat Center | A Journey for Jill joined FJC in 2015, and as a Program Manager she focuses on professional development, leadership, and other areas. Julie and Marc have five children, a son- and daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren. Inspired by their participation in the Wexner Heritage Leadership Program, Rob and his wife Elisa founded the FJC in 1998, providing seed funding to launch a public foundation dedicated solely to overnight camps with a Jewish mission. Shawna Goodman Sone obtained a BA in Art History from McGill University and was awarded the McGill Scarlet Key for outstanding leadership and positive impact. He attended Camp Kadimah as a camper for five years and was then on staff for five years, culminating in his position as director of the senior camp, Camp Machar at Camp Kadimah. She graduated from the Natural Gourmet Cooking School and the Institute of Culinary Education, both in New York City. Also, a frequent storyteller and life coach, Bobby lives in Atlanta with his wife Ellen. The head of a well-known Jewish sleepaway camp was removed from his post in the wake of a lawsuit that alleged he tried to cover up a teen's sexual-abuse claim, legal papers say. Those were truly the days! With a diverse background in executive support, operations, and administration to CEOs, senior Vice Presidents, and an entire team/department she has worn many hats from accounts, administration, and team management. She graduated from Binghamton University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. Stacie and her husband, Jay, now live in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scott was recently elected Board Chair of American Camp Association, and also serves as government affairs chair for the Massachusetts Camp Association. A proud believer in community, Michael sits on the Board of a number of charitable organizations and acting as a fundraiser for others. Gaby holds a B.S. Shes also spent time at URJ Kutz Camp and worked with youth groups across New York. Jeffrey & Linda Solomon Briana loves everyday adventures, eating her way through any city, and traveling the world. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He and his wife Lesley are very active members of the Los Angeles Jewish community including involvement with the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and formerly as board members of Sinai Temple of Los Angeles. in Middle Eastern Studies from Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Jill was an FJC Cornerstone Fellow in 2006, a program she now proudly helps facilitate as part of her work. Anita is a retired Speech-Language Pathologist whose career focused on children as well as geriatric patients. Prior to starting RLB Food Distributors, Rob served as a state government official in New Jersey and then practiced corporate law with the law firm of Lowenstein, Sandler. Diane has been deeply involved in many Jewish organizations in leadership capacities, including the University of Maryland Hillel, University of Miami Hillel, Hillel International, Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Maya studied in the Tulane honors program, followed by a semester abroad, in 2020, as a fellow of the Nachshon Project where she studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Marcia is a past participant of the Wexner Heritage Foundation program and JFNAs National Young Leadership Cabinet. Camp Ramah is a transformative Jewish experience for its campers, staff, families, and the communities of the New York metropolitan area. After eight years of work in the for-profit sector, Vera joined the FJC team because she wanted to have a meaningful job working for a cause, a job that goes beyond calculating profits and losses. Outside of the Jewish world, Julie is actively involved with, and an avid supporter of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated and met her husband, Marc. Alison is the host ofThe A List with Alison Lebovitz, a half-hour original interview series for PBS, and serves as co-founder and president of One Clip at a Time, a nonprofit inspired by the Paper Clips Project and documentary. Seth Adelsberg has been working as a Director, Outdoor Education at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for 21 years. Prior to joining FJC, Bobby spent 36 years serving as Camp Director/Jewish Educator at Camp Young Judaea-Sprout Lake, JCC Camp Arthur-Reeta, and for the last 30 summers as Director of URJ Camp Coleman. [15] Joe Teplow is the founder of Rebel, an e-mail technology company focused on making email actionable, now acquired by Salesforce. Jenni joinedFJC in October 2017 as the Director of Day Camp and Strategic Programs after a six year tenure at lower Manhattans 14th Street Y. She also oversees and manages all human resources, IT and facilities activities. A Florida sheriff is on the warpath against neo-Nazi scumbags who want him dead, Stranger Things star Brett Gelman proposes to singer girlfriend Ari Dayan in Jerusalem, Skver Hasidic movement bans use of artificial intelligence, South African Jewish journalist Jeremy Gordin murdered in home burglary at 70, Disney+ series A Small Light tells the Anne Frank story from the perspective of the woman who hid her. Jill is passionate about helping camp and Jewish organizations bring their values to life through action and policy. She is a member of the Foundations Cutting Edge Grants Committee and is the Chair of the Foundations committee on General Community Grants. As a kid she had the opportunity to attend summer day camp where she made lasting memories and further discovered her individuality. Email Jason at jason.scheff@jewishcamp.org. Julie got her professional start with Hillel: at Maryland Hillel and at Hillels international offices in DC. She manages FJCs flagship One Happy Camper program, providing incentive grants for first-time campers and advancing the camping agenda across North America in partnership with federations. Alex earned her BA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts and her heart never left NYC since then. Favorite Camp Activity: Photo Camp & Smores! In 2005, he was recruited to serve as CEO of Manischewitz. He earned an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and a BS in management from MIT. Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs. Jenni holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College, and while studying she also worked for a brief period as a member of the full-time team at Surprise Lake Camp, where she had been a camper and young staff member for many years. Ethan Linden, former Shir Chadash rabbi, taking leave of absence as Camp Ramah director in the Berkshires (JTA) Rabbi Ethan Linden, the former spiritual leader of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, is taking a leave of absence from his position as director of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. 2016 CRB Annual Fund Dinner by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires - Issuu As a member of the Jewish educational team at FJC, Amy p, rovides insight and direction for a portfolio of educational initiatives to attract, educate, and engage families with young children. Board of Directors - Camp Ramah Board of Directors Executive Committee Elizabeth Waksman, President Michael Agus, Member at Large Alan Chalup, Secretary Jeff Goodell, Member at Large Larry Kaplan, Treasurer Aaron Kass, V.P. Our connection to FJCs mission and to the field is both personal and professional, deepening our devotion to our work everyday. Henry is excited to leverage his experience within FJCs Cornerstone program, combined with the skills and knowledge from his business school education, to support new and existing programs, engage alumni, and maximize participant experience. Her children have attended Camp Alonim at American Jewish University (where Rebecca was a counselor and camper in the 80s and 90s), Perlman Camp in the Poconos, and will attend Camp Ramah in the Berkshires and Ramah Sports Academy this upcoming summer. Julie, and her outrageously cute puppy, Penny, are based in Brooklyn, NY. Diane is an activist Jewish community leader. They have one son, Bryan, who is currently a student after serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Camp Ramah in Northern California. He also holds an OPM certificate from Harvard Business School. Chase joined Foundation for Jewish Camp in 2021 as the organizations digital marketing manager. Marcia is also dedicated to womens causes and is a past board member of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. AND TO ENGAGE IN ANY ACTIVITIES RELATED THERETO. Four Outstanding New Ramah Directors Camp Ramah Marcia and her husband Doug are passionate supporters of Jewish camp. Before joining FJC, Marisa held various positions in sales and social media marketing, in addition to volunteering as a mentor to neglected Israeli children during her gap year in Jerusalem at Midreshet AMIT. Scott is an educator and thought leader in the areas of 21st-century learning, workforce development, and child development. She lives with her family in Northampton, MA. Diane and Howard Zack. Prior to his time at Hillel, he worked at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Greater Bostons Jewish Federation as the IACT National Program Officer. Jim Sokolove is an attorney known for advertising legal services on television. Raised by a history teacher, Vera believes that knowledge of ones own heritage, traditions, and culture is one of the most fundamental aspects of a childs upbringing because it helps children better understand themselves and find their place in the world. Join Our Team - Camp Ramah in the Berkshires Prior to joining FJC, Yevgeniy worked as the Senior Program Manager at Genesis Philanthropy Group, overseeing a portfolio of grants in North America and Europe focused on strengthening Jewish identity among RSJ communities. "Camp Fees" cover mandatory bus transportation to and from Camp, canteen visits, trips, insurance, Camper e-mail service and a Camp T-shirt. in Education at Smith College, a B.A. Jason graduated from the University of Maryland this past May, while majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Business. in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from Sonoma State University. Josh graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 1999 and received his Masters in Jewish Studies from Gratz in 2022.