Ann Arbor, MI
URJ Kutz Camp
University of Michigan

At University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Jake Levine is studying International Studies. Jake also teaches at the Sunday School of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor, and has led the 11th/12th grade seminar on Jewish leadership. He works throughout the year for NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) as well as for the Kutz Camp, where he spends his summers. Jake’s main role in camp is the Special Projects Coordinator.  Judaism inspires Jake because it is the richest, most intentional, and most powerful way in which communal responsibility and collective action has come to exist in this world as a vehicle to help others and build community. Israel, as an outgrowth of Judaism, is the concretization of these ideals into a regulated state, and Jake is inspired by the way Israelis and the larger idea of a Jewish state have changed the world for the better, even amongst great struggle. Jake hopes to serve the Jewish community in two ways: helping people use Judaism as a way to navigate trying circumstances, and helping to ensure a vibrant Jewish future. He specifically hopes to work with Jewish youth as well as become a military chaplain.

Westchester, NY
Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake
SUNY at Albany

Jamie Spock is a junior at the University at Albany-SUNY where she is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Judaic studies and Hebrew. In the past she has served on the executive board of her campus’ Hillel as the Social Action chair. She is excited to be the first Nachshon Fellow representing Young Judaea! As a camper she attended CYJ Sprout Lake and Tel Yehudah. This will be her fourth summer as a staff member at Sprout Lake but her first as the merakezet (unit head) of “Ofarim” girls (7-9 year olds). She is very excited to have the opportunity to live and study in Israel. Some of her hobbies include traveling, cooking, and adding to her record collection. She hopes that the Nachshon Project will help her figure out a way to combine her love of Judaism, Israel, social action, and education.

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
URJ Camp Coleman
College of Charleston

Jazzie is from a small Island in South Carolina, though she goes to college in Charleston where she majors in Psychology and Jewish Studies. At school, she is the Israel Chair for the campus Hillel. She teaches second grade Sunday school at KKBE (Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim). In high school she was president of her youth group for three years. Jazzie attends Camp Coleman, where she has worked as an aid to a camper with special needs, and more recently as cabin counselor. Jazzie loves that Judaism encourages her to ask questions and find her own meaning in its teachings and practices. She aspires to be a Rabbi one day, specifically engaging the youth in her community.

Bethesda, MD
Camp JRF
Yale University

Jonathan Marx is a junior at Yale, where he is studying Political Science. He is also on the executive board of the Yale AEPi Jewish fraternity. He grew up at Camp JRF, and continued to staff there as a counselor and Cornerstone Fellow. This coming summer he will be “Rosh Ilanot”, head of the elementary school division. As someone who connects to children and understands the power of these influential years, Jonathan sees a possible future in American Jewish youth-focused organizations. He is constantly amazed by the ability of Judaism to both celebrate people’s common connections and also their unique differences. As a Nachshon Fellow, he is looking forward to both feeling at home among people with a similar background to himself, while also being exposed to people and experiences vastly different.

Calgary, Alberta
Camp Bnai Brith Riback
McGill University

Our first Canadian Nachshon Fellow, Lara is studying Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, and Sociology at McGill University in Montreal. She grew up at Camp Hatikvah, a Canadian Young Judaea camp, but has worked at the B’nai Brith camp in Alberta for the past three summers. This past summer she supervised both aquatic and land activities at Camp BB. This upcoming summer she will be managing the programming and operations of all of the specialty areas on camp. Throughout high school Lara was active in BBYO, where she served as regional president. At McGill, she is a leader at Hillel as well as Israel on Campus McGill. In addition, she leads youth activities on Saturday mornings at the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue in Montreal. Judaism inspires Lara every day to be a better person by acting on the morals and values that the Jewish culture, heritage, and faith have instilled in her. Israel, as the place of the Jewish people and history, inspires her to support and promote Jewish livelihood and values.

Highland Park, Illinois
Camp Ramah Darom
University of Michigan

Leah Spellberg is a Junior at the University of Michigan studying Economics, Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies. She is originally from Highland Park, Illinois and this will be her 12th summer at Camp Ramah Darom. Leah has been a lifeguard, counselor, and a Cornerstone Fellow. During her time at camp and this upcoming  summer she will be Rosh Mayim, head of Aquatic Activities. Throughout high school Leah was on the board of USY and continues to volunteer for the organization, and at school she is active in Hillel. Leah is excited for the opportunity to study in Israel and can’t wait to be immersed in Israeli culture!

Bronx, NY
Camp Moshava Indian Orchard
CUNY Queens College

Noam Spira attended Camp Moshava IO for 12 summers. As a staff member, Noam worked with the camping and hiking staff to plan trips and teach scouting and survival skills. He was also a counselor for four summers and is excited for his fifth.  Noam is from New York City where he attends CUNY-Queens College, pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology.  In high school Noam was a head of his local Bnei Akiva chapter as well as a leader at his synagogue's teen services.  He is inspired by the tremendous amount of work done by Jewish leaders and their constituents to keep Judaism strong and alive both in Israel and abroad. He hopes to serve the Jewish community one day as a behavior therapist.  

Agoura Hills, CA
Camp Hess Kramer
San Diego State University

Peter Young hails from Agoura Hills, California, and is majoring in Modern Jewish Studies at San Diego State. During his free time, Peter teaches in religious school and also serves as a youth group advisor at Temple Emanuel in San Diego. At Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, where Peter spends his summers, he is a senior counselor as well as head lifeguard. What he loves most about Judaism is the constant questioning,  which always strengthens his connection to the tradition as he becomes more and more involved in Jewish life. He hopes to take his passion for Judaism further, perhaps working for NFTY and becoming a Rabbi.

St. Louis, Missouri
URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI)
Webster University

A native of St. Louis, Samantha is a talented guitar-playing musician. She teaches music at Sunday school and plays guitar at her synagogue’s Shabbat services. In addition, she is an advisor for Connect, a youth group for girls in Middle School  run by the National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW). Sam attends Webster University, where she serves as president of the Jewish Club. She is getting her degree in Education, which she hopes to combine with music and use as a professional in the Jewish world. For the past three years Sam has been a counselor and songleader at URJ Camp GUCI. Samantha is inspired by the connectedness within the Jewish community and the strength which that community creates. She loves Judaism's focus on repairing the world and helping people in need.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Ramah Day Camp in Nyack
University Of Central Florida

Sarah Jarvis, from Ft. Lauderdale, has been attending Ramah Nyack for many years. She has been at CIT, a counselor, a “sgan”, “Rosh Keif”, and “Rosh CIT”. Growing up, she was active in USY and Kadima throughout middle and high school. Sarah is currently attending the University of Central Florida, where she is majoring in Hospitality and Event Management. In the future, Sarah hopes to incorporate event planning into a career in her Jewish community. She is constantly inspired by the way the Jewish people come together in good and bad times.