Staff

Get to know the people who make Camp Yachad special!

Mike Goldstein, Assistant Executive Director and Camp Co-Director
Summer 2013 will mark Mike’s ninth summer at Camp Yachad and his sixth as Camp Co-Director. Before joining the JCC in 2004, Mike was a Camp Associate Director at Liberty Lake Day Camp in Columbus, NJ and Transportation Director at Meadowbrook Country Day Camp in Long Valley, NJ. Mike’s Masters Degree in music and experience as a professional musician prepared him for his place in the Shabbatones, Camp Yachad’s very own Shabbat rock band.
 

Jodi Hotra, Camp Co-Director
Jodi has worked at Camp Yachad for 13 years and has been the Camp Co-Director for the past six years. Year-round, she oversees the JCC’s Aquatics and Recreation Departments. Prior to that Jodi was the JCC’s Youth and After School Director, and she was Camp Yachad’s Travel Camp Director for several years. Her professional experience and love of camping shines through in everything she does at Camp Yachad. 

Robin Brous, Associate Executive Director and Early Childhood Services Director
Robin was Camp Yachad’s Director for 13 years and currently supervises the Camp Yachad Co-Directors. She helped transform Yachad into the camp that it is today. In her current roles as Assistant Executive Director and Early Childhood Services Director, Robin gets to interact with campers all year long which she considers one of the best perks of her job.
Lindsay Napchen, Associate Director Teen & Travel Camps
Lindsay has been working with teens since 2006. During the year, she is the JCC’s Youth and Teen Services Director which includes overseeing pre-teen and teen leadership programs. Her educational background and career experience combined with her love of children, teaching and Jewish studies make her a natural fit to work with JCC youth and teens during the summer too.
  Jacqui Gross, Associate Director Lower Camp
This summer will mark Jacqui’s 15th year at Camp Yachad. She has been a counselor, art specialist, Judaica specialist, unit director and is now Associate Director Lower Camp. During the school year, Jacqui serves as mentor and curriculum coach for the pre-Kindergarten teaching staff of the Jersey City Public School’s Early Childhood Department. Jacqui loves the caring, supportive Camp Yachad community and what it has come to mean to her and her family.
  Gerald Powers, Associate Director Upper Camp
Jerry’s career has been filled with children. He has been a Camp Yachad staff member for 20 years, spending most of his time overseeing Camp Yachad’s travel camp (and a good part of his time on the road with the campers!). During the year, Jerry is a fifth grade teacher in West Orange, NJ, and this summer he will take on the role of Associate Director Upper Camp, and he couldn’t be happier.
Mary Ann Kukis, Office and Specialist Coordinator
Mary Ann has been at Camp Yachad for 18 years and has been instrumental in bringing a wide array of special activities to Camp Yachad. She has devoted her career to children in public school education, scouting and summer camp. During the school year, Mary Ann runs the JCC’s After School Services Department which includes our Kid Zone and Vacation Zone programs. Mary Ann’s year-round focus is to provide fun, creative and engaging activities for our children.
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Leslie Fleischman, Associate Director, Chaverim
Leslie has been a pre-K teacher at the JCC for the past five years and the Nature Specialist at Camp Yachad.  In September 2012, she moved into the role of Assistant Early Childhood Director, broadening her scope of involvement for our families and children.  Leslie holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, and her creativity and imagination always shine through when she¹s working with children. The JCC has been a meaningful and lively community center for her and her family for many years.
Kim Koza, Aquatics Director
Kim is the JCC’s year-round Aquatics Director and in Summer 2012, she will begin her fourth summer leading Camp Yachad’s American Red Cross swim program. When it comes to the water, Kim does it all: she is a swimmer, lifeguard, swim coach and pool manager. Under Kim’s direction, the JCC’s Aquatics programs and swim lessons have become very highly regarded in the community.
Cathy Pizzella, Camp Administrator
Cathy has been at Camp Yachad for 15 years. She started as a counselor, became an Assistant Unit Head in travel camp and is now the Camp Administrator.  Cathy has spent a lot of time working with children at the JCC, and as a result, she is a familiar face and beloved personality among Camp Yachad and JCC children.
  

Beth Kasper, Summer Academy for Performing Arts Director
Beth has been bringing music, acting and fun to the JCC for six years as the Camp Yachad Music and Movement Specialist, Camp Yachad Unit Director and preschool Music Specialist. She has also been instrumental in building the JCC’s theater program. She has her Actors Equity Eligibility and has also directed and performed in many local theatrical productions.

 

 

Gary Schaefer, Maccabi Sports Camp Program Director
Gary has been at Camp Yachad for 17 years in a variety of roles. This summer Gary will be overseeing our new Maccabi Sports Program for grades 1- 4. During the school year, Gary is a physical education teacher, basketball coach and baseball coatch in the Greenbrook Township Public School district. He is also the JCC's Sports Leagues Director which includes overseeing all of the JCC's youth and men's league programs.

Upcoming Events and Dates

May 23, 2013 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
June 4, 2013 | 7:30 pm
June 10, 2013
June 10, 2013 | 7:30 pm
June 18, 2013 | 7:30 pm
June 26, 2013 | 6:30 pm

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