The Ramah Jerusalem High School - TRY and USY High
Spring Semester 5768 - 2008
At Ramah we know that our staff are crucial elements for the success of our programs. Here is some information about the people involved in the TRY and USY High programs.
Daniel Laufer - Director of High School Division
Daniel earned his MA in Jewish Education from Brandeis University and a BA in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland. After making aliya in 1989 from Boston, he worked with a number of Israeli institutions bringing youth to Israel from abroad, including the Young Judea Year Course, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and the Youth and Hechalutz Department of the World Zionist Organization. Other positions he has held include Educational Researcher for the Mandel Institute for Jewish Education, Program Director at Harvard University Hillel, and Educational Consultant for long-term programs in Israel. Daniel has been with Ramah in Israel since 1993, and served as a program director, teacher, director of education, and shaliach to North America. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Talpiot - around the corner from one of the most beautiful views in the world.
dlaufer@ramah.co.il
Dr. Joe Freedman - Director of Ramah Programs in Israel
Joe holds an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and an EdD from Teacher's College, Columbia University. Before coming to Ramah, Joe served as Director of in-service training at Hebrew University's Melton Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora. Joe served as director of the Ramah Israel Seminar from 1986-1999, during which time he also earned the prestigious tour guide license issued by Israel's Ministry of Tourism. Joe has produced numerous educational and hadracha materials, going all the way back to his days with the Jewish Theological Seminary's Leader's Training Fellowship beginning in 1971. Joe has also worked extensively with Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and served as Summer Director of Camp Ramah in New England in 1988. He came on aliya in 1980 with his wife. They have four children and live in Jerusalem.
joe@ramah.co.il
Dr. Melissa Ser - Academic Coordinator
Melissa holds a BA in English Literature from Florida State University and both an MA and PhD in English from the University of Rochester (New York). She is the Academic Coordinator for TRY and USY High and is also happy to be teaching AP English. Before making aliyah, Melissa served as a synagogue youth director and educational administrator; she has been teaching for over a decade in university and high school settings, and she is excited about a new semester of TRY and USY High. Melissa is also the Director of the English speaking Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband, Sam, and their adorable son Ariel.
melissa@ramah.co.il
Aliza Grabin - Yoetzet and Head of Hadracha
Aliza received her degree in Social Work from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She grew up in Israel and served in the Education Corps of the IDF. After completing her military service, Aliza worked as part of the mishlachat to Ramah Wisconsin during the course of two summers. Since 2001 she has been an integral part of the Ramah Israel staff, having been involved with both TRY / USY High and Seminar. Aliza has also worked extensively with youth and communities around the world, under the auspices of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
aliza@ramah.co.il
Eliav Rodman - Program Coordinator
Eliav Rodman was born in Jerusalem, Israel and grew up there almost his whole life. During high school at the Hartman High School he was a counselor in the Masorti Movement's NOAM youth group. Eliav spent a year before his army service studying at the Kibbutz Hadati (Religious Kibbutz Movement) Yeshivat Ma`aleh Gilboa. During his army service, he served as an officer in Military Intelligence. Eliav spent many summers at Camp Ramah in New England as a camper, counselor and Rosh Edah. Eliav is currently a student of International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
eliav@ramah.co.il
Moshe Gold - ICC Coordinator
Moshe grew up in the Negev and holds a MA in Contemporary Jewry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has been working for Ramah since 1999 as a tour guide and senior Educator. Moshe is Coordinator of the Israel Core Course on TRY as well as Director of Education for Ramah's Seminar and a Ramah Seminar Poland Educator. He is a familiar face to many TRYers from his recruiting trips to Ramah camps and USY encampments.
moshe@ramah.co.il
Chana Lockerman - Administrative Coordinator
Chana grew up in West Hartford, CT and Boston and holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. Since making aliyah in 2000, she has been involved in education as a teacher and administrator. Chana is very excited for this year's TRY.
chana@ramah.co.il
Hilorie Baer - Psychologist
Hilorie is a native of NY and received a BA from the University of Chicago and her MSW from Columbia University in 1987. She moved to Israel with her family in 1991 and has been practicing as a psychotherapist in Jerusalem since 1994. Hilorie has been working as a yoetzet for Ramah Programs in Israel since 2002 and has worked on TRY / USY High and Seminar.
Dr. Ariella Zeller - Parent Liaison
Ariella earned a PhD in American Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2001). Before making aliyah in 2004, Ariella advised undergraduate students at the University of Michigan, working as an academic advisor for the Dean of Student Academic Affairs. She has also taught Women's Studies and American Studies at the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland. Ariella is TRY/USY High's Parent Liaison and looks forward to being in contact with parents and students alike throughout the semester. Ariella lives in Modiin with her husband and four children.
liaison@ramah.co.il
Judy Greene - Israel Program Coordinator, National Office
Judy Diamond Greene has an MSW from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University and received Certification as a Family Educator from Hebrew College, University of Hartford. Judy lived in Massachusetts for 27 years before moving to New York. While in MA, she was Director of the Community Hebrew High School in Springfield, Outreach Coordinator for the New England Region of Conservative Judaism, teacher at Solomon Shechter Day School in Newton, and Gann Academy/New Jewish High School in Waltham. Judy spent 16 years working at Camp Ramah in New England as Jewish Studies teacher and Yoeztet. Judy and Rabbi Gary Greene have four sons and currently live in Douglaston, NY.
ramahisrael@jtsa.edu
For additional information and application details please contact:
National Ramah, 3080 Broadway, NY, NY, 10027
Tel.: (212) 678-8883, Fax.: (212) 749-8251
E-mail:ramahisrael@jtsa.edu
© Ramah Israel, 2007
