Sessions

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From second graders to rising seniors, everyone at URJ Eisner Camp has the opportunity to have the summer of a lifetime. A variety of opportunities for campers and leaders-in-training. Varying session options are designed to fit into everyone’s summer – from two weeks to the full 7-weeks – experience the best of everything camp has to offer.

Campers live in bunks based on the camper’s grade in school the following September. Grade-based units group together children who are on a similar level socially, physically, and developmentally to optimize everyone’s experience. The ratio of campers to counselors ensures that each camper receives plenty of individual attention and learn to be an active part of our community.

Eisner Camp also offers a Day Camp program for children who live locally and for families who summer in the Berkshires. Our youngest campers are 4 years old ( by July 1, 2021) and our oldest campers are rising 2nd graders.

Hebrew Unit Name	English Translation	Entering Grades
K’TANIM ( 2 weeks)	“Little Ones”	2nd and 3rd
BONIM	“Builders”	4th and 5th
CHALUTZIM	“Pioneers”	6th
OFARIM	“Deer”	7th
CHAVERIM	“Friends”	8th
TZOFIM	“Scouts”	9th
OLIM	“Those who go up”	10th
EISNER IN ISRAEL		11th
MACHON	“Institute”	12th

K’tanim is an introductory program perfect for our youngest campers, most of who will be away from home for the first time. Special attention is paid to teaching our K’tanim campers how to explore camp and enjoy all that camp has to offer. Our “little ones” form wonderful friendships and have a great time during what we hope will be the first of many summers at Eisner Camp.

Olim, the 10th grade summer is the pinnacle of the camper experience. As the oldest unit, Olim campers have many privileges and experiences befitting their age. Olim campers are given the opportunity to take on real leadership roles throughout camp by participating in our big brother/big sister program with our youngest campers. The summer culminates with the opportunity to help lead the camp in Maccabiah (color war).

Eisner in Israel is an epic 4-week journey through Israel with your lifelong camp friends. Float in the Dead Sea, climb Masada, and experience Shabbat in Jerusalem. The NFTY Adventure program is a unique and challenging summer experience created especially for teens who seek a meaningful and exciting journey, filled with amazing memories.

Machon offers rising seniors the experience of Eisner Camps’s Leader-In-Training program. During the first session of camp, our Machonikim participate in an intensive counselor training program, preparing them for all aspects of being a counselor. During the second session of camp, our Machonikim are assigned to units and activity areas for on-the-job training and mentorship from experienced counselors. Enrollment is limited and requires an application, interview, and letters of recommendation. Applications are available in November and participants are notified in late January.

Paul Isserles

Eisner Director

Paul Isserles (he/his) returned home to become the Director of URJ Eisner Camp in October of 2021. He brings to the role over 20 years of directing day camps, including Camp Jacobson and Buckley Day Camp. For Paul, there is no place that has been more influential in his life than camp, especially Eisner. He worked at Eisner from 1993-1997, as a counselor, songleader and unit head. Not only did his time at Eisner launch him into the world of camping and informal Jewish education, but he met his wife, Shari, there in 1994.

Paul is a product of the Reform Movement, spending his childhood and teen years in youth groups and on the board of LIFTY. He is a graduate of the University at Albany and earned a master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University.

In his spare time, Paul loves sports, whether playing baseball or basketball himself, or coaching his son, Michael’s baseball teams. Paul, and his wife, Shari live in Port Washington, with their son, Michael and where Shari works as the Director of Congregational Education at The Community Synagogue.

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Lauren "Lulu" Belferder

Associate Director

Lulu (she/her/hers) is a true camper at heart and is thrilled to be on the Eisner team as the Associate Director. She grew up attending Robin Hood Country Day Camp on Long Island, where she was a camper and staff member. During her time at Robin Hood, she realized her passion for working with children and teens and led her into a professional career working hands-on with this population.  

For the past seven years, Lulu has been working at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, New York as the Director of Youth & Teen Engagement.  During her tenure at Temple Sinai, Lulu led a successful department that served over 500 families annually.  She is most proud of the relationships that she has developed with so many children, teens, and their families. She loved connecting with them and helping to create positive, Jewish experiences to engage them in.  

Prior to her time at Temple Sinai, Lulu worked as the Director of Residential Services at Life’s WORC in Garden City, New York. Life’s WORC provides comprehensive services and support to people with intellectual disabilities and autism and their families.  During her time at Life’s WORC, she provided supervision and support to residential managers and the people living in these residential homes throughout Long Island and Queens.  

Lulu has two graduate degrees, including a Masters in School Counseling from Long Island University and a Masters in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion. She currently lives on Long Island with her twin daughters, Isabella, and Eden.  

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Marisa Bergman

Assistant Director

Marisa (she/her/hers) was thrilled to join the URJ Northeast Camps team in February 2019 as the development associate! She is excited for her new role as assistant director where she can work closely with the campers, families and staff to create the most magical summers. She has over twelve years of experience as a synagogue educator and working in day and sleep away camps. Marisa graduated from the University at Albany with a Bachelor’s in Judaic Studies and Education as well as from Gratz College with a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education. Marisa is married to her childhood sweetheart, Matt, and has two beautiful boys, Emmet and Boaz, who are so happy to enjoy their summers in the Berkshires!

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adam kohane

Assistant Director

Adam (he/him/his) began working for Eisner Camp in 2013, and is so excited to be a part of the full time team as an Assistant Director. He started attending Eisner in 2004, when he was a K’tanim camper and made his way up through the units, participated in the Machon program, and then went on to become a counselor, songleader, and a unit head. Adam grew up in a small town in New Jersey called River Edge, and in 2018 he graduated from New York University, where he studied Music Business and took part in many different music clubs on campus. He previously worked for URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy East as the Program Administrator, and he continues to songlead at many different synagogues in the New York/New Jersey area. When he is not working, Adam loves to spend time with his family and friends, watch European soccer (go Liverpool!), and run around with his dog, Molly. He is thrilled that he will continue to get to spend his summers, and now his full year, working for Eisner Camp!

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Nicki poliak

Assistant Director

Nicki (she/her/hers) started at Eisner Camp as a camper in 2005 and her love for camp has only grown since. She started as a Bonim camper and made her way up through the units, participated in the Machon program, and then went on to become a counselor, unit head, and Assistant Director of Machon. Nicki grew up in Long Island, NY, and graduated from the University of Delaware with a major in Sociology and Criminal Justice. After graduation, Nicki spent about 2 years working as the Director of Programs and Engagement at Hillel at The University of Connecticut, where her love for working in the Jewish community grew. Nicki began working on the Eisner Camp full-time team in 2018 as the Registrar, and became an Assistant Director in 2019. In 2021, Nicki pursued her Masters in Social Work at FAU, and graduated in May, 2023. When she is not working, Nicki loves to spend time outside with her dog Beau, spend time with family and friends, bake challah, and watch lots of cooking shows. Nicki is so excited to be back in her second home to spend her summers in The Bubble with the most amazing community!

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Hailey Kessler

Assistant Director

Hailey (she/her/hers) was so happy to join the Eisner team as an Assistant Director is May 2023. While Hailey is new to the Eisner community, she has spent the last 21 summers at Jewish camps. Hailey spent her summers growing up at URJ Camp Coleman as both a camper and counselor for 11 years. She has also spent summers working at Camp Pembroke, MJCCA Day Camps and Camp Tel Noar. Hailey grew up in Atlanta, GA and graduated from the University of Hartford in 2020 with a B.A. in Judaic Studies. She then went on to graduate school to pursue her Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership and a Master of Education in Jewish Educational Leadership from the Hornstein Program for Jewish Professional Leadership at Brandeis University and graduated in May 2023. During her free time, Hailey enjoys hanging out with family and friends, exercising, traveling, and exploring her town of Morristown, NJ. She is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for campers and staff and fostering vibrant Jewish communities. She is so excited to bring that passion, energy, and enthusiasm to the 01230!

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Lauren hyde

Business Manager

Eisner Camp has been a huge part of Lauren’s (she/her/hers) life as she had the unique experience growing up on the property as a child while her parents worked for the camp. After she graduated from Westfield State College she joined the Eisner and Crane Lake team as a full time employee working as one of the bookkeepers. She has done many different jobs at camp from Day Camp counselor to dishwasher and is now our Business Manager. Lauren is happy to be able to enjoy the beautiful Berkshires all year round where she lives with her husband (who she married on the Eisner Camp grounds) and two children.

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Ray Kimmelblatt

Development Director, URJ Northeast Camps

Ray Kimmelblatt (she/her) joined the URJ Northeast Camps team in 2020. She brings to the role nearly 20 years of fundraising experience in higher education, healthcare, and community organizations. Ray began her career planning the 2001 URJ Biennial Convention and spent the last 10 years as a nonprofit executive director.

Ray is a product of the Reform Movement and URJ camps, attending Eisner (’87, ’94), Kutz (’93) and Greene Family Camp (’96, ’97). She is a graduate of the University at Albany and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College. Ray is an alumna of Project OTZMA (’00), a year-long fellowship in Israel.

In spare time, Ray enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and refinishing furniture. A native Long Islander, Ray met her husband Craig in Hebrew school in third grade. They live outside of Albany, NY with their sons Spencer and Jordan and their rambunctious pug, Ruby.

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Meredith Smyth

Retreat Center Manager

After working as a summer staff member in 2016, Meredith (she/her/hers) fell in love with both Eisner and the Berkshires. With a M.A. in Business Management from Lesley University and a history of interning and volunteering for non-profit organizations as well as event planning, she was excited to take on the role of Retreat Center Manager. Meredith and her husband, Hal, live on camp with their puppy Charlie. They take many hikes to Look-Out Point and enjoy testing out new recipes in Manor House kitchen.

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Debby Shriber

Executive Director of URJ Northeast Camps and Youth

Debby Shriber(she/her) is proud to be the Executive Director of the URJ Northeast Camps. In this capacity she focuses on supporting the professional staff, development, and strategic vison of both Eisner and Crane Lake Camps. She’s been with URJ Camps since 2009, serving at the Crane Lake Camp Director for the past 12 years. Prior to the URJ, Debbie directed Camp Poyntelle Lewis Village, a JCC overnight camp in in Wayne County ,PA and was a day camp director.

Debby was raised in Worcester, MA. As a teen, she was a very active member of NFTY Northeast and her synagouge, Temple Emanuel. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Debby completed the JCC Association Lechu Lachem Senior Fellowship and also served as a mentor for the Foundation for Jewish Camp Yitro Fellowship. During the school year, Debby, her wife Nili, and their daughter Molly live in Fort Lee, NJ.

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Meet the Advisory Board

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