Young Judaea
Full Time Staff
staff
Helene Drobenare – Executive Director
Helene Drobenare, MSW, MA, holds a Master of Social Work from Yeshiva University and Master of Administration in Organizational Change Management from the New School of Social Research. Helene has been working with young people for 30 years. She has served on volunteer boards for the Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, Yedid Nefesh Mental health Initiative for Jewish Camps and Make a Wish Foundation. She grew up in BBYO and went on to work in their leadership camp programs at Perlman and Beber camps. She has also served as the coordinator for the March of the Living program, and the director of programs for Masada Israel Summer Programs. Helene lived in Israel for four years where she worked for TRACKS Adventures as Director of Youth Programs & Marketing. Helene has spent years committed to improving the lives of children in Africa through her volunteer work in South Africa and Tanzania. Helene has served as the director of CYJ Sprout Lake since September 1999.
Rachel Eilbaum – Assistant Director
Rachel is a long-time Judean and attended Sprout Lake and TY. She was a camper before coming back to Sprout for six summers on staff as a unit head and counselor. Her love of camp led her to work as an Israel educator at Tufts Hillel, and then to the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University where she is currently completing a dual MA/EdM degree in Jewish Professional Leadership and Jewish Educational Leadership.
Miriam Morris – Assistant Director for Camper Experience
Miriam is a long-time Judaean and began her Sprout Lake journey in 2007 as a Nitzanim camper. Miriam continued her YJ journey through Sprout Lake, Tel Yehudah, and Year Course. She returned to Sprout Lake as staff in 2017 and has been a counselor, unit head, and Rosh Moomchim. Miriam attended McGill University and holds a Bachelor of Education with a focus in Elementary Education.
Marta Nemesh – Rosh Machane/Engagement Coordinator
Marta came on her first Shlichut (delegation) from Israel to a Jewish Summer camp in 1998 and has worked at Camp Sprout Lake since 2010 as the Rosh Machane – “Head of Camp.” During the school year, Marta teaches young children while also helping prepare Sprout Lake for the the camp season. During the summer, she works with our counselors and unit leaders to ensure that camp is an amazing experience for every camper. Marta studied Early Childhood Education at the David Yalin College of Education in Jerusalem and has a BA in Liberal Studies-Psychology, and Women and Gender Studies from William Paterson University.
Renana Ben-Bassat – Registrar
Renana holds a Masters in Labor Relations from Baruch College and a BA from Tel Aviv University. Prior to joining CYJSL, Renana worked in Human Resources at several Israeli companies.