Shoshana Jackson, Camp Director 

Shoshana Jackson became the JCC Youth, Teen & Camp Director in spring 2011. Shoshana previously served as the Camp Raanana Assistant Director for summer 2010 and as the JCC’s Afterschool Programs Coordinator for the 2010-2011 school year. 

Shoshana grew up in the Ann Arbor area, affiliating with many of the local congregations at one time or another.  After serving in the United States Army, she attended Broward College in Florida. Her camp experience prior to joining Camp Raanana included three summers at a residential Girl Scout camp, where she served as a Unit Head for one summer and the Assistant Director for two years. She has also taught religious school at Temple Beth Emeth and the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah for over ten years. Shoshana lives in Milan with her husband and two children.

Shannon Link, Assistant Director

Shannon Link served as Camp Raanana's Interim Camp Director for the summer of 2011.  She will be returning to Camp Raanana as Assistant Director.

Shannon worked in the JCC Early Childhood Center as a lead teacher for 6 years before returning to school to pursue her Masters degree in Elementary Education at the Universty of Michigan. While earning her teaching certificate and Masters, she has interned or taught at Northside Elementary, Ann Arbor Open, High Point School, Tappan Middle School, and Thurston Elementary. Since completing her Masters degree in December 2010, Shannon has been serving as the Childcare Supervisor for the before and after school programs at Byrant Elementary. She plans to begin working as a 1st or 2nd grade teacher in the fall. Shannon and her husband live in Ann Arbor with their two kids.

Kim Braun, Waterfront Director 

Camp families will be pleased to know that the incredible Kim Braun is once again returning as Waterfront Director for summer 2011. During the school year, Kim is the energetic and enthusiastic Physical Education teacher for the JCC and Hebrew Day School. She has taught at the JCC since 1999 and loves working with her current and former students at Camp Raanana. After her family, Kim's next love is swimming and she is passionate about teaching children to enjoy and appreciate the water. Kim has over 20 years of experience as a certified lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, and CPR and lifeguard instructor. She and her husband live in Saline with their dog Cleo.

Dan Ehrlich, Assistant Waterfront Director

Dan Ehrlich will be a sophomore at Grinnell College in the fall, where he is studying math and music. He is an Ann Arbor native who attend Huring High School and grew up working in the Temple Beth Emeth religious school. This will be Dan's third summer working at Camp Raanana; during his previous two summers he worked with the entering kindergarten group and assisted with waterfront activities. He also served as the unofficial and very enthusiastic "silly bus song leader." In his spare time, Dan enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and singing in several A Capella groups. 

Deborah Sacks, Program Coordinator 

As Program Coordinator, Deborah Sacks will be in charge of organizing Music & Culture activities and the CIT Program.  Originally from New York, Deborah graduated from UofM two years ago with a degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Religion. She is a fluent Hebrew speaker and spent a year after graduation volunteering at an at-risk children’s home in Israel. Since returning from Israel, Deborah has been working as a teacher, tutor, and song leader at Temple Beth Emeth. She also has extensive prior experience as a religious school teacher, camp counselor and lifeguard, and music instructor, and has been involved in a number of international service and learning projects including a music internship in India, a UofM World Service Project in Nicaragua, an American Jewish World Service volunteer experience in Ghana, and a Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel.  Deborah is excited to share her Israel experiences, musical skills, and Jewish knowledge with the campers this summer!

Kathryn Ashin, Nature Specialist

Kathryn Ashin will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University in the fall and is majoring in Psychology. This will be her first summer at Camp Raanana and she is very excited to meet all of the campers and have a great time. Kathryn has extensive child care and lifeguarding experience and enjoys spending her free time outdoors doing everything from backpacking trips to kayaking and canoeing. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for nature with Camp Raanana's campers and making their time at camp the best summer ever.

Dan Butler, Sports Specialist

Dan Butler is excited to join the Camp Raanana staff as the Sports Specialist for this summer.  Originally from New York, Dan came to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan four years ago and recently graduated this spring with a BA in History.  He has two summers of previous experience working at a day camp and is looking forward to spending another wonderful summer with campers.  Dan loves playing sports and believes that there is no better time for learning and fun than summer camp!

Allison Merlos, Arts & Crafts Specialist

Ally Merlos is a sophomore at Michigan State University in the College of Education earning a degree in early childhood education for grades K-8.  She attended the Jewish summer camp of Kutz in Warwick, New York and has traveled abroad to Israel to see the land and learn about her Jewish heritage.  This summer she looks forward to making numerous memorable arts and crafts with the children and helping them learn what the Jewish culture is truly about.  She hopes to provide campers with smiles, friendship, and - more than anything - the time of their lives!

Virginia Ballinger, Aftercare Coordinator

Virginia Ballinger is a student at EMU.  She is originally from Southfield, MI, and spent the previous three summers working as an inclusion counselor for campers ages 6-10 with special needs.  She enjoys writing (poetry and short fiction), dance, and spending time with close friends.  She looks forward to a summer of fun!

Mira Preston, Head Counselor

Mira Preston will be returning for her third summer at Camp Raanana and her second year as a head counselor for Group Adom. She will be a junior at Michigan State University next fall and is a Huron High School graduate. Mira is studying to be an elementary school teacher with a focus in math and is working towards getting an early childhood endorsement. She previously attended Camp Tavor for three summers and worked as a madricha at Beth Israel Congregation. Mira loves working with children and is looking forward to another fun summer at Camp Raanana.

Rachel Evans, Head Counselor

Rachel Evans will be a sophomore at Kalamazoo College next fall, where she is a member of the choir, dance company, and Woman's Advocacy Group. She previously worked at Camp Raanana as a Junior Counselor in summer 2008 and summer 2009, and is very excited to return to camp this summer!

Eli Sugerman, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4)

Eli Sugerman will be a senior at Community High School in the fall. This will be his fourth summer at Camp Raanana, after having previously been part of camp as a Counselor in Training for two years and a Junior Counselor last year. He likes to play lacrosse, ski, and mountain bike.

Jake Levine, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)

Jake Levine will be a senior at Community High School in the fall. He is a madrich and music assistant at Temple Beth Emth, and also leads Tot Shabbat services and serves on the youth group board at TBE. Jake has attended and worked at Lost Lake Scout Reservation for seven summers and loves working with kids. He is very exciting for this summer and can't wait to have an awesome time at camp!

Anna Cohen, Head Counselor

Anna Cohen will be a sophomore at Denison University in the fall. She loves working with children and is interested in child development and education. She worked for several years as a madricha at Temple Beth Emeth and currently voluteers with the mentoring organization Big Brothers Big Sisters. In her spare time, Anna enjoys singing and playing piano. She previously worked at Camp Raanana as a Junior Counselor in summer 2009 and looks forward to meeting new people, spending time with the campers, and having fun at camp this summer.

Marlowe Susselman, Junior Counselor

Marlowe Susselman will be a junior at Plymouth High School in the fall.  She has worked at Camp Raanana as a Counselor in Training the past two summers. She is looking forward to joining the staff as a Junior Counselor and working with the campers this year. She loves meeting new people, working with children, and being outdoors, and is excited to welcome everyone to Camp Raanana this summer. 

Sadie Besl, Head Counselor     

Sadie Besl is from Farmington Hills and will be a junior at the University of Michigan in the fall, where she is studying to be a teacher. Sadie's previous camp experience includes three summers as a camp counselor and horseback riding instructor. During the 2010-2011 school year, Sadie has been working in the JCC's afterschool program. She is exciting to be part of the Camp Raanana staff this year and is looking forward to a great summer!

Maya Greifer, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4)     

Ilana Miller, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)     

Ilana Miller will be a senior at Huron High School in the fall. She has participated in synchronized swimming for many years and also plays water polo. Ilana loves spending time with her family and friends and being outside. She is a madricha at Temple Beth Emeth and is also part of the TBE youth group board. This will be Ilana's first summer working at Camp Raanana, but she has attended many other camps and coached synchronized swimming for the past two summers. She is very exciting to be part of the Camp Raanana staff this summer!

Mariya Gefter, Head Counselor

Mariya Gefter will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University in the fall, where she is majoring in Speech Pathology for Secondary Education. Summer is her favorite time of year and she loves spending her summers at camp. For the past four years, she has worked and volunteered at various camps in Michigan, including the West Bloomfield JCC camp last summer. She can’t wait to join the Camp Raanana staff and spend time with all of the wonderful campers and staff! 

Noam Zimet, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4)

From the summers between 4th and 8th grade, summer meant one thing to Noam Zimet: fun at Camp Raanana. Whether he was playing in the lake at the normal campsite, splashing in the wave pool at Rolling Hills, or playing Laser Tag at Zap Zone, he was always assured a great time with his friends. He looks forward to reliving these fun experiences again as a counselor, while helping other kids have as much fun as he did. Noam just finished his senior year at Pioneer High School, and is excited to start the next chapter of his life at the UM College of Engineering.

Hayden Kass, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)

Hayden Kass will be a Junior at Huron High School in the fall. Hayden has worked at Temple Beth Emeth as a Madrich. In his free time, he likes to play piano and hang out with friends. He attended Camp Raanana as a camper and always enjoyed camp activities such as swimming and arts & crafts. He is looking forward to joining the Camp Raanana staff and having an exciting summer!

Katie Smith, Head Counselor

Katie Smith will be a sophomore at Denison University in the fall. She grew up in the Ann Arbor area and graduated from Pioneer High School. She has been a member of the Jewish Cultural Society since pre-school and worked as one of the tzofim for the JCS 4th/5th grade Sunday School. Katie attended Camp Raanana in elementary school and is excited to return to camp as a Head Counselor. She is looking forward to meeting all the campers, swimming, enjoying arts & crafts, and making great memories.

Ike Wade, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4) 

Ike Wade is graduating from Pioneer High School this year and will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall. He has had fantastic previous camp experiences at Camp Raanana and Camp Tavor where he made friends that he still holds dear today. He enjoys learning about different aspects of Judaism and learning to be respectful of other cultures and views. For Ike, camp is a place to relax, have fun, and enjoy being himself. He is looking forward to joining the Camp Raanana staff and meeting the campers this year.

Hannah Dubov, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)

Hannah Dubov will be a senior at Pioneer High School in the fall. Hannah loves summer and has been going to Camp Raanana her whole life. After spending last summer as a Junior Counselor and the previous two summers as a CIT, she is excited to return as a Junior Counselor again this year. Hannah loves being around kids and helping them enjoy camp as much as she did when she was younger. Hannah plays classical guitar, likes to dance, and is fluent in Russian. She is really looking forward to camp this summer, especially all the fun field trips and free swim periods!

Noah Wagner, Head Counselor     

Noah Wagner is returning for his fourth summer on the Camp Raanana staff. For the past three summers, he has worked as the Music Specialist at camp. He is excited to join the Pioneers as a Head Counselor and driver this summer, and is especially looking forward to the overnight trips! Noah is currently taking classes in Automotive Services and Music and working on his music career. He looks forward to sharing his passion for music, camp, and fun adventures with the Pioneers this summer.

Sarah Carlson, Head Counselor        

Originally from Chicago, Sarah Carlson moved to Ann Arbor two years ago to begin a dual master's program in social work and urban planning at the University of Michigan. She has worked previously as a camp counselor and nanny, and enjoys engaging kids' curiosity. Some of her favorite activities include swimming, cooking, being with friends and family, and listening to music. During the 2010-2011 school year, Sarah has been working in the JCC's afterschool program. She is looking forward to a summer of adventure with the Pioneers!

Counselors in Training

The following teens who are entering 9th or 10th grade will be serving as Counselors in Training at Camp Raanana this summer:

David Berman - Katia Kassof - Sara Norich - Eric Shayna
Alex Sugerman - Tuval Vaknin - Zach Colton - Fiona Powell - Ella Steiger 
Tali Khain - Oren Steiner - Jared Korotney - Michael Bondin - Michaela Kass