Camp Staff

Jane-Rachel Schonbrun

Jane-Rachel Schonbrun is a Jewish educator and community builder who has spent more than two decades working in a variety of Jewish communal organizations, including camps, JCCs, schools, synagogues, and social service agencies.  Prior to joining Camp Yavneh in 2022, she served as Director of Institutional Advancement at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.  Before that, Jane-Rachel worked as Director of Foundation Relations at Avodah, as a Program Director at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA, and as Director of Student Life at Kehillah High School (also in Palo Alto). As a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, Jane-Rachel earned her MS in Social Work from Columbia University and her MA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary's Graduate School.  A Baltimore native, Jane-Rachel studied as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. Her college experience was enhanced by two years studying in Israel and summers leading teen programs in Israel, Poland, and across the U.S.   Jane-Rachel’s favorite camp activities include rikud (dance), all-things omanut (art), and swimming in the agam (lake).  When she’s not at camp, Jane-Rachel lives with her partner, Rabbi Aaron Schonbrun, and their four kids in Deal, NJ.

Netanel Spiegel

Netanel is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Camp Yavneh, working for camp year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Netanel joined the Camp Yavneh family in 2012 as a member of Camp's Food Service (YFS) and has taken on more and more responsibilities in the continued management of camp. Netanel spends his winters in Israel and counts down the days until summer to return to Northwood and be in the most special place on the planet!

Efrat Assulin

Efrat was born in Israel and raised in the US from the age of four. Upon completion of her BA in Communications and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan, Efrat made aliyah to Israel. In Israel, Efrat worked in events management and higher administrative and marketing roles in high tech while also obtaining her MBA with a focus in marketing from Reichman University in Herzliya. Efrat moved to the Boston area with her husband Ron and son, Itamar, a little over 11 years ago.

Elizabeth Chipkin

Elizabeth Chipkin got her start in the disability world via the Jewish camping world.  Starting at Ramah Palmer, then bringing the first participants with special needs to Ramah's Israel summer program, with the last seven years spent as the Director of Special Needs and Inclusion at Ramah Berkshires.  A New Englander from birth, she grew up in Massachusetts and then attended University of Maryland (#goterps), where she got a Master's in Special Education and a Minor in Jewish studies. After finishing her degrees, Elizabeth spent a year living and learning in Israel at Pardes Jewish Institute.  When she's not at camp, Elizabeth lives in Silver Spring MD and works in Montgomery County Public School outside of Washington DC as a special education teacher, working with students on academic, social, and vocational skills.  Elizabeth loves reading novels, bicycling, and snuggling with her cat.  Elizabeth's favorite place in camp is the middle of the lake (agam).

Shore Goldberg – K’18

After a short hiatus, Shore is incredibly excited to be coming back to Camp Yavneh! Shore has spent the last five years working as part of senior leadership at Camp Givah in Albany, NY, and is currently earning his BA in Graphic Design at Binghamton University. Since he was in high school, Shore has been eager to help strengthen and build bonds within the Jewish communities. From Teaching at various Hebrew schools to volunteering with Northeast NCSY and NCSY Alumni, Shore has always done whatever he can to help ensure a bright future for Jewish youth- and is incredibly excited to bring that energy to his new role as Registrar and Office administrator at Camp Yavneh! Shore currently lives in Vestal, NY with his wife Shajar.

Rhonda Lake Cohen

Rhonda is thrilled to be back at Camp Yavneh as Business Administrator after attending camp from 1978 through 1983. She tells everyone she meets that Camp Yavneh truly shaped her as a person and that camp is one of her favorite childhood memories. Rhonda earned a BSEE from Tufts University and an MBA from Northeastern University. Rhonda recently relocated back to the Boston area after spending over 25 years in Morris County, New Jersey, where she and her late husband Mike raised two daughters, Allison and Deanna. She spent most of her career in engineering, but more recently, was the business manager for her town’s public library. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys reading, going to the gym, watching sports and traveling.

Ethan Naviasky – K’15

Ethan is excited to continue his time at Yavneh as the Operations Manager. Working year round to ensure that each summer is better than the one before. Ethan has been at Yavneh since 2011; first as a a camper (K'15), counselor, and rosh aydah (unit head). Ethan started working full time in 2021 after graduating with a B.A. in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo. He is currently living in Denver and enjoys skiing, sports, board games, reading, and spending time with friends when he is not at Camp. Ethan is counting down the days until he is back in Northwood working hard to make the summer a success!

Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch

Benjamin (Bentie) Rabinovitch has been a valuable member of our summer Hanhallah (leadership team) serving as our Rosh Tzeirim (Head of Lower Camp) since 2022. Prior to joining Yavneh's summer staff, Bentie has 16 years of experience working at Jewish overnight camps in the US, Israel, and Europe. Most recently, he worked as Program Director at Camp Svarvas in Hungary for six years. During the year, Bentie has worked as a school social worker: at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan (2017-2023), and at the Shefa School (2023-2024). He earned his Masters degree at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and he has a certificate in Experiential Education from Yeshiva University. Bentie will bring his vast camp experience, as well as his expertise as a mental health provider working with kids, to this newly created role.

Sara Rosen

Deb Shafran

Deb is thrilled to join the Yavneh Family! With a background in education and experience working with teens, young adults, and staff, she eagerly anticipates integrating her skills into the camp community. Holding a Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education, along with a Masters in Special Education, Deb brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Originally from Upstate NY, Deb has spent the past 18 transformative years in Israel,. She is enthusiastic about infusing her love of Judaism, Israel and community into the Yavneh Kehillah. When not at camp, Deb resides in Albany NY with her husband and three children – Rami, Matan, and Dina.

Zvi Zobin

Zvi Zobin most recently served as the Director of Atid at Jewish Federations of North America where he helped launch a next-gen philanthropy program. Prior to this role, Zvi served as IKAR's Director of Membership and Community Giving in Los Angeles where he increased their annual membership revenue by 45%. At IKAR, Zvi worked with the membership committee to create IKAR circles and launch the IKAR from Afar membership model. Zvi has an MA in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute and a B.S. in Business Management from Yeshiva University. He has spent several summers at Camp Moshava Ennismore in Canada, and on Mach Hach BaAretz, a summer tour of Israel for teens completing the tenth grade. Zvi’s passion for the Jewish Community led him to become a Birthright Israel Fellow and BBYO Jewish Educator. When not working, you can find Zvi supporting youth as a volunteer for the Trevor Project, taking group fitness classes, and cooking.

Allie Abels – K’14

Allie Abels (Kerem 2014, Naaleh 2015) is back at camp for her 12th summer (13th if you count having planned to go back to camp for summer 2020). Allie is currently getting her masters in Occupational Therapy at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. She loves hiking, especially the famous Leviim Welch-Dickey Hike and knows that swimming in the agam is the summer activity that can't be beat! Her field hockey stick and tennis racquet will be coming with her to camp this summer, as tennis chug (elective) is her favorite, with sports chug (elective) being a close second. Allie cannot wait to be back in the 03261!

Chana Israel

Chana is currently the Lead Teacher for Kindergarten and First Grade Judaics at the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District. She has directed Jewish educational programming over the past 20 years for students from pre-school through high school.  Chana has been a member of the chinuch staff for the past nine years and only three of her four children will be at camp this summer.

Molly Goldberg – K’15

Estelle Lajmer Gomolka

Estelle is a 5th grade teacher at The Greater Boston SSDS. She is a graduate of Maimonides school. She is celebrating her 41st summer at Yavneh (K’79). She has held many positions at Yavneh including Rosh Banot(head girls counselor). Estelle has well over 20 years teaching swimming and holds her WSI, lifeguarding CPR and First Aid instructor. She is married to Guy and has two children.

Alanna Wolf – K’08

After a five year hiatus, Alanna Wolf is excited to be back for her 15th summer at Yavneh as Rosh Noar (Head of Upper Camp)! Alanna has served in many roles at camp - as a chanicha (K’08), madricha and rosh ayda, and she is a proud second generation Yavneh alum. Alanna also met her husband, Herschel Singer (K’09), at Yavneh! They currently reside in Northampton, MA, where she works as an occupational therapist.