Leawood, KS
Herzl Camp
University of Florida

Aden is a senior at University of Florida pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Jewish Studies. He is from the Kansas City area, and spent 6 summers as a camper at Herzl Camp, along with 2 summers as a counselor and 2, soon to be 3, on the summer leadership team. On campus, Aden is an active student leader with UF Hillel, serving as an intern, leader of the student ambassador program, and Director of Reform Jewish Life. He is also the 2025 Vice Chair of Operations for “Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate,” an annual campaign against antisemitism and all forms of hate. He is looking forward to a career as a Jewish professional and developing his skills.

Houston, TX
Moshava IO
Yeshiva University

Akiva Garner is a senior at Yeshiva University studying Jewish philosophy, Psychology and English. Akiva has participated in leadership roles for NCSY and Bnei Akiva including at Camp Moshava IO. During college, Akiva's love for teaching was expressed in his participation as a fellow for MAFTEACH and Maimonides School where he was able to spend weekends teaching in and outside of Jewish schools in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston. He is most looking forward to spending time engaging with and learning from the diverse cohort that Nachshon has put together this year.

Yonkers, NY
Moshava IO
Yeshiva University

Akiva Kroll is currently a Junior at Yeshiva University, pursuing a degree in Actuarial Mathematics, with a strong passion for a career in Jewish Education. Akiva originally grew up in Riverdale, New York, attending SAR Academy until fifth grade. His family then moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where he spent six years attending Katz Hillel Day School and later Katz Yeshiva High School. For his final two years of high school, Akiva returned to New York and graduated from SAR High School. After graduating, Akiva spent two enriching and formative years learning at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. Beyond the classroom, Akiva has devoted his summers since childhood to summer camp. He spent many summers attending and working at Camp Moshava I.O. In addition, Akiva has been actively involved in other impactful summer programs, including NCSY Kollel, Camp HASC, and Camp Morasha this summer.

Victoria, MN
Herzl Camp
University of Minnesota

Alex has worked at Herzl Camp for the past four summers, this most recent summer as the Rosh Kvutza (Unit Head) for 3rd and 4th grade campers. She is in her senior year at the University of Minnesota studying Elementary Education and Leadership. She is the most recent Minnesota Hillel President and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota & The Dakotas Jewish Community Relations Council. Alex teaches Special Education at religious school and is a USY Advisor at a local synagogue. She loves working with children and is considering a career in Jewish Education.

Buffalo, NY
URJ Camp George
SUNY Albany

Ari is a Junior at SUNY Albany. He is pursuing a joint undergraduate & graduate degree for History, with minors in Judaic Studies and Political Science. On Campus he is active in the Jewish student community as he is president of Shabbos House (Chabad Jewish Student Center), and has served on the board of Hillel as well. Growing up in Buffalo, Ari was very active in NFTY and other local Jewish organizations. He is also an alumni of URJ Camp George where he was a staff from 2021-2023. As someone who was worked closely with professors in the History and Judaic studies departments, Ari hopes that Nachshon Project will be able to show different career paths that lead to Jewish History education through different means, in the Jewish Community, and beyond.

Atlanta, GA
BBYO Summer Programs
Columbia University and JTS

Ari Slomka is a Senior in the Joint Program at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University.
Ari expresses his Judaism through learning and teaching and he is currently studying Rabbinic Literature and Sociology and has begun working towards his Master’s degree in Jewish Education. After graduating, Ari hopes to attend Rabbinical School as he continues his journey into the world of Jewish Education. Ari grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended a Modern-Orthodox Day School and a Jewish Community High School . Ari spent seven influential summers at Camp Ramah Darom where he began to develop his personal Jewish practice. In high school, he participated in BBYO and served in regional leadership positions which afforded him valuable training and experience. In 2020, Ari spent a year studying at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem as a participant on the Hevruta Gap Year where he engaged with the nuance and complexity of Judaism, Israel, and Peoplehood. In the wake of October 7th, Ari took a leave of absence from school to spend the semester on his own in Israel, volunteering to support those who had been impacted by the war. Ari works as a Jewish Educator for BBYO Summer Experiences and he has taught at a number of Hebrew Schools in the New York area. He also works as a Madrich on the Hartman Teen Fellowship.

Livingston, NJ
Moshava IO
Rutgers University

Arianna is a Junior at Rutgers University, where she is studying Mathematics, Jewish Studies, and Education. Passionate about Judaism and deeply connected to the Jewish community, Arianna is dedicated to giving back to the community that has, and continues to raise her. Through her academic journey, she aims to combine her love for learning with a commitment to fostering growth and understanding within the Jewish world. Arianna hopes to make a meaningful impact by bridging tradition and modernity, enriching the lives of those around her, and ensuring the continued strength and unity of the Jewish community.

Queens, NY
Ramah Day Camp in Nyack
Queens College

Ariel Creditor is a recent graduate of Queens College with a double degree in Jewish Studies and Art History. She enjoys singing with her a cappella group Tizmoret, reading, hanging out with friends, and learning. She spent most of 2024 in Israel, and will continue growing and developing her relationships there as her career goes on. She loves teaching Judaics to her Hebrew school students, and intends on applying to Rabbinical School within the year. Ariel has interned for a number of Jewish and Israeli organizations, will most likely pursue a career in Education or Non-profit, and will share her love for Jewish culture, specifically Jewish art and music, wherever she goes.

Hewlett, NY
Yeshiva University

Ariella is a junior at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women, majoring in neuropsychology and minoring in math. Originally from Long Island, she spent two formative years studying at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) in Jerusalem. That experience deepened her connection to Jewish learning, Jewish community, and the land of Israel. Since arriving on campus in New York City, Ariella has worked to deepen her understanding of Jewish primary texts with a special focus on Talmudic studies and Jewish Philosophy. Ariella hopes to hone these skills in Jewish communal work and is honored to be a part of the Nachshon Project’s eleventh cohort!

Fairfield, CT
URJ Eisner Camp
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Becca Fink is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pursuing a degree in Community and Organizational Development. She is an active member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority and serves on the student board for Chabad on campus and the Kosher Cooking Club, where she combines her love of cooking with building community. Becca also works as a cashier at a local deli and has years of experience mentoring and leading campers at a Jewish summer camp, where she will serve as a unit head this summer. She aspires to become a camp director, creating transformative experiences for campers of all ages. In her spare time, Becca enjoys cooking, spending time with friends, and exploring new restaurants in Madison. She is excited to be part of the Nachshon Fellowship and to learn alongside such a dynamic and inspiring cohort.