By , Special to JTNews
Over 770 children will be joining the Camp Solomon Schechter family for its 48th summer, having doubled in size over the past five years under the direction of executive director Hilary Buff.
This year, the camp welcomes Jodi Sperling as its full-time director and fifth full-time staff person.
As camp director, Sperling will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the summer program and will be collaborating with Buff to ensure the overall success of this transitional summer. Buff says she is looking forward to the year-round development of the Stampfer Center with Sperling on board. Buff will be focusing on the year-round planning and development of the Stampfer Center and Camp Solomon Schechter.
Sperling has been actively involved in informal Jewish education and camping — particularly with teens — for many years. Originally from Buffalo, NY, she received her B.A. in journalism and Jewish studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, during which time she spent a year studying in Jerusalem. After graduation, she moved to Eugene, Ore., where she worked for Young Judaea and also Camp Nofim in Portland.
Sperling then moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for Moment magazine, and was working on a story about Jewish camping when she realized she wanted to return to informal Jewish education. She traveled to Israel, where she spent a year working as a guide for the Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
She has recently earned her master’s degree in social work and Jewish communal service from the University of Michigan, concentrating in youth and community organizing. She is looking forward to returning to Camp Solomon Schechter after working last summer as a director of the Oded program — Schechter’s counselor-in-training program.
She says she can’t wait for the summer: “I’m excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Camp Solomon Schechter family.” Sperling will be spearheading many new Jewish camping opportunities, such as Schechter Echad, a new and exciting 5-day mini-session, for campers entering 2nd through 5th grade. This program will be held from August 15th-19th.
For more information about the summer program, Schechter Echad, rentals or donations, please contact the camp office at 206-447-1967.