Deborah Huerta, Camp Director 

Deborah Huerta is the Youth, Teen, and Camp Director for the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor.  Deborah grew up as an active member of the metro-Detroit Jewish community.  She went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan, and now lives in Ann Arbor with her husband.  She has extensive experience implementing Jewish cultural programming and working with children in camp, youth group, afterschool, and religious school settings.  Deborah loves serving as the Camp Raanana director during the summer and working with Camp Raanana's amazing staff, campers, and families.  She can't wait for the next camp season to begin! 

Please feel free to contact Deborah at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or 734-971-0990, or stop by to see her at the JCC.

Shoshana Jackson, Assistant Camp Director 

Shoshana Jackson is the Assistant Director for Camp Raanana, and is also serving as the JCC's Afterschool Programs Coordinator for the 2010-2011 school year.  Shoshana grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Broward College. Since returning to Ann Arbor several years ago, she has been taking education classes at EMU and teaching at Temple Beth Emeth and the Reconstructionist Havurah. Before becoming the Camp Raanana Assistant Director, Shoshana's previous camp experience included serving as a Unit Head and Assistant Director for three summers at Camp Deer Trails, a residential Girl Scouts camp. Shoshana lives in Milan with her husband and son.

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 2010. 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.

Lauren Nilsson, Assistant Waterfront Director

Lauren Nilsson is returning for summer 2010 as Camp Raanana's Assistant Waterfront Director, and she and Kim Braun make a phenomenal waterfront team! Lauren has a BS in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has previously worked at Hebrew Day School, as well as in the Duck and Frog rooms at the JCC's Early Childhood Center. This will be Lauren's seventh summer working at Camp Raanana's waterfront, and she is excited to spend another summer helping children learn to swim! Lauren and her husband live in Ypsilanti with their dog Rocky.

Rebekah Gamble, Aftercare Coordinator

We are delighted to announce that Rebekah Gamble will serve as the Aftercare Coordinator for Camp Raanana for summer 2010. Rebekah brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as the JCC's Afterschool Program Coordinator for the 2009-2010 school year and previously served as the Camp Raanana Aftercare Coordinator during summer 2007. Rebekah has a bachelor's degree in Musical Theater and an associate's degree in Child Development, and is completing a second bachelor's degree in Child Development. She has worked at the JCC in many capacities since 2002, including as a preschool teacher in the Early Childhood Center, as an ECC and Youth Enrichment Class teacher, and as the JCC Administrative Coordinator. Rebekah currently resides in Ypsilanti with her husband Justin, her dog Sam, and her cats Abbie and Ellie.

Alan Piracha, Special Programs Coordinator

Alan Piracha is graduating this spring from Bowling Green State University, with a double major in Political Science and Film Production. Alan grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Camp Raanana as a child before serving on the Camp Raanana staff in high school and early college. He spent most of the past the last two summers living in Virginia, so he is really looking forward to being back in Ann Arbor for summer 2010 and enjoying a full summer at camp this year! Alan will be running the Sports activity sessions at camp this summer and will also be assisting with special programs including the specialties for grades 3-5, the CIT and shlichim programs, and special events. After the summer, Alan plans to pursue a job in his field and then apply for graduate school next year.

Jonathan Lerman, Judaic Programs Specialist

We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Lerman as one of our Israeli shlichim for this summer. Jonathan was born in Netanya, Israel, and grew up surrounded by religion, books, and languages, which led to his passion for writing. His family lived in Boston for a year when he was in elementary school, and Jonathan developed a love for America, the English language, and the Red Sox. One of Jonathan's other passions is cooking; since completing his military service as a Navy diver, he has enrolled in culinary school and begun working at a small bistro in Modiin. Jonathan worked for a camp in Virginia through the Shlichim Program last summer and he is looking forward to making even more wonderful memories and connections this year as Camp Raanana's Judaic Programs Specialist.

Noah Wagner, Music Specialist

Noah Wagner is returning for his third summer as the Camp Raanana Music Specialist.  Noah is currently studying Music Production and Composition and enjoys composing music and playing disc golf in his spare time.  He plans to move to Israel in a few years, but in the meantime is looking forward to another wonderful summer as the Music Specialist at Camp Raanana! 

Jenny Cook, Art & Nature Specialist

Jenny Cook is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to the area to attend Eastern Michigan University for her bachelor's degree and stayed to work on her master's degree in Theater. She has worked in summer camps for seven years now and is excited to be starting her second summer at Camp Rannana. Jenny enjoys art and writing and can often be found on local nature trails. She is excited for this summer and the great memories she knows she will make!

Sarah Mirsky, Head Counselor

Sarah Mirsky will be a senior this fall at Eastern Michigan University and is majoring in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education. Sarah has extensive experience working with pre-school aged children and has worked with the entering kindergarteners at Camp Raanana for the past five summers. She is looking forward to welcoming a new group of entering kindergarteners to camp this summer!

Mira Preston, Head Counselor

Mira Preston will be a sophomore at Michigan State University next fall and is a Huron High School graduate. She plans to be an elementary school teacher because she loves working with young children. She worked for several years as a madricha at Beth Israel Congregation and also attended and worked as a junior counselor-in-training at Camp Tavor. Last summer she worked as a Junior Counselor at Camp Raanana, and she is excited to return this year as a Head Counselor for the kindergarten group. Mira enjoys singing and playing guitar in her spare time.

Dan Ehrlich, Junior Counselor

Dan Ehrlich is graduating from Huron High School this year and will be a freshman at Grinnell College in the fall. He is an active and fun-loving person who sings, plays saxophone, acts, and enjoys ultimate frisbee. Dan was born in Toronto and has lived in Washington DC, Morgantown, and Ann Arbor. This will be Dan's second year as a Junior Counselor at Camp Raanana, and he can't wait to meet all the wonderful campers this summer.

Jenny Gordon, Head Counselor

Jenny Gordon is currently finishing her senior year at Eastern Michigan University, where she is majoring in Special Education. She has worked at Camp Raanana for the past seven summers and is getting ready to student teach at Burns Park Elementary School in the fall. Jenny has always loved coming to camp each summer and is excited to return for yet another great season! 

David Schapiro, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4)

David Schapiro is graduating from Huron High School this year and will be attending college in the fall. He has enjoyed learning Hebrew and Spanish and traveling to new places. David worked at Camp Raanana as a Junior Counselor the past two summers and had a blast. He enjoys meeting new people and is looking forward to meeting this summer's campers.

Eli Sugerman, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)

Eli Sugerman will be a junior at Ann Arbor Community High School in the fall. He likes to play lacrosse and bike. Eli has been a CIT at Camp Raanana for the past two years and he is looking forward to a great summer as a Junior Counselor this year.

Sarah Tanoury, Head Counselor     

Sarah Tanoury will be a sophomore at Purdue University in the fall. She is majoring in engineering and enjoys playing all kinds of sports and games. Sarah worked at Camp Raanana last summer as a Junior Counselor for Group Tzahov and is very excited for another summer of fun as the Group Tzahov head counselor this year.

Hannah Dubov, Junior Counselor     

Hannah Dubov will be a junior at Pioneer High School in the fall. Hannah loves summer and has been going to Camp Raanana her whole life. After being a CIT for two summers, she is looking forward to working at camp as a Junior Counselor 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!

Adi Rinker, Head Counselor

We are delighted to welcome Adi Rinker to Camp Raanana as one of our Israeli shlichim for this summer. Adi lives in Haifa, Israel, and has served in the IDF spokesperson unit for the past two years. She has worked with reporters and journalists from all types of the Israeli media, including newspapers, radio, television, and others. She loves to spend time with family and friends, dance, and listen to music, and has recently started taking guitar lessons. Adi is looking forward to an exciting summer at Camp Raanana and can't wait to meet new people and explore new places during her first visit to the United States!

Joe Mirsky, Junior Counselor

Joe Mirsky will be a junior at Salem High School in Canton in the fall. He plays flute in the Plymouth Canton Educational Park Symphony Band, bowls for his high school, and is a madrich at Temple Beth Emeth. Joe attended Camp Raanana for three years as a camper before serving as a CIT for the past two summers. He loves working with kids and can't wait for an awesome summer as a Junior Counselor this year!

Erica Riba, Head Counselor

Erica Riba will be a senior at Michigan State University in the fall. She is majoring in Elementary Education with a focus in Language Arts. Erica had a wonderful experience as a camper at Camp Raanana and is returning for a sixth summer on the Camp Raanana staff. She can't wait for yet another spectacular summer at Camp Raanana!

Jack McWhinnie, Junior Counselor (Weeks 1-4)

Jack McWhinnie is graduating from Pioneer High School this year and will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall. This will be his third summer as a Junior Counselor at Camp Raanana, and he is excited to see all the returning staff and campers, as well as to meet new campers and counselors. Jack loves the water and has attended sailing camp and participated on his high school's crew team. He also loves art and enjoys all the art projects at Camp Raanana. He is really looking forward to the 2010 Camp Raanana season!

Ilana Spaulding, Junior Counselor (Weeks 5-8)

Ilana Spaulding is graduating from Pioneer High School this year and will attend Wittenberg University in the fall. Ilana has worked at Temple Beth Emeth throughout high school career as a madricha and enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. This will be her second year working at Camp Raanana as a Junior Counselor, and she can't wait for another great summer at camp!

Ian Soo Hoo, Head Counselor     

Ian Soo Hoo will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University this fall and is majoring in Industrial Design. He enjoys being outside and likes to be active all day every day. Last summer, Ian worked at Camp Raanana as the Arts & Crafts Specialist and also helped out with specialties and at the waterfront. He is excited to bring his enthusiasm and talents to the Pioneer group this year and is looking forward to many interesting adventures and lots of fun!

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 - Hannah King - Sara Norich - Alexa Pinsky - Hannah Schapiro
Eric Shayna - Alex Sugerman - Marlowe Sussleman - Tuval Vaknin