Leadership Team
The staff at Camp Shalom is the best around! There's no question that there is a direct correlation between the quality of our staff and the quality of the experience for the campers. Each staff member is highly screened by the Camp Director and must pass a background check prior to being hired. All staff members go through a week long intensive staff development, weekly staff meetings and staff evaluations throughout the summer. Senior counselors, unit heads, and specialists are professionals who have the experience and maturity to make camp enjoyable while keeping Camp Shalom both emotionally and physically safe.
Upper Camp
Eli is a J Camp lifer, spending nearly every summer of his life at Jewish summer camp. He has a deep passion and love for JCC camp and is beyond excited to fulfill his dream of creating community as a Camp Director at Camp Shalom this summer. Eli’s life has been transformed by experiences as a program participant and staff member at the JCCs in Richmond, Virginia, Houston, Texas, and most recently, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where he spent the last decade serving in every capacity from Counselor to Camp Program Director and everything in between. With a degree in nonprofit leadership & management and a variety of leadership in the Jewish community, Eli is a passionate, innovative camp professional who is eager to create an environment for campers and staff where they can find a second home at camp like he has.
Angela is excited to return for her second summer as the Assistant Camp Director at Camp Shalom! Her experience as a counselor sparked a passion for creating meaningful experiences and lifelong memories for kids. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in health science and a minor in disabilities in society. Before joining the JCC full-time, Angela worked as a youth advocate at a shelter in Cleveland, Ohio. She brings her passion, creativity, and dedication to making every camper’s summer unforgettable.
Harlie is thrilled to return for another summer at Camp Shalom as the Camp Administrator. With a deep passion for working with children and families, she is committed to helping create a positive, organized, and memorable experience for everyone at camp.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education, Harlie brings five years of experience as a preschool teacher in Washington State. In the role of Camp Administrator, she is dedicated to ensuring smooth operations, fostering effective communication, and creating a supportive environment for staff, campers, and their families.
Being an active part of the Jewish community is incredibly meaningful to her, and she is proud to contribute to the camp’s mission. Harlie looks forward to another great summer filled with exciting new experiences, lasting memories, and the joy of seeing the Camp Shalom community thrive!
Debi started Showtime Theatre Camp in the summer of 2017 and has been part of the Camp Shalom family ever since. After earning a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, she performed in theaters across the country and spent years in New York as a teaching artist, director and choreographer. Career highlights include starring roles in Gypsy, Annie, Footloose and Disney Dreams, direction of over 50 youth productions, and developing our very own theatre and music programs at the Mandel JCC. Debi proudly teaches children of every age to build confidence, community, and an appreciation for the arts through music, dance, and drama.
Jaquan is a sports enthusiast who pursued a career in sport management, graduating from the University of Connecticut with a B.S in Sport Management and concentration in Business Management. He had exposure to collegiate and professional sports through internships for UConn Athletics as well as a Minor League Baseball Team in Connecticut. Jaquan played sports year-round in high school and in college, participated in Track and field as a long, high, and triple jumper. He has volunteered his time to give back to youth through coaching and helping at sporting events and has grown in his career with Mandel JCC organization and Boys and Girls Club of America. His goal is to continue growing in this field and leave behind a legacy of growth, compassion, and unity.
Yeladim
The Glantz Early Childhood Learning Center has been fortunate to have Jodie as its Programming Director since the 2017/18 school year. Jodie was appointed to the position of Director of Camp Shalom in 2018. She has been an early childhood educator at the Boynton Beach JCC for the past 15 years working with infants up to pre-k age children in both preschool and camp. Her teaching experience, in addition to raising three sons, has given her the knowledge and insight into meeting the needs of young children. She has a BS Degree in Social Science from Stony Brook University where she specialized in Child Development. Jodie is looking forward to making it a summer filled with lots of fun and adventure!
Lisa is excited to be the Assistant Director at the Edward and Thelma Glantz Early Childhood Program, bringing over 14 years of experience in early childhood education and administration. Before joining this wonderful community, she spent 14 years at a Jewish preschool in Boca Raton, where she began as an Early Childhood Educator and later moved into administration. Lisa is passionate about creating meaningful programs and fostering a nurturing environment for children and families.
She also launched a successful catered lunch program and worked as the staff liaison for Parenthood, organizing events to bring families together. A Florida resident for 28 years, Lisa is married to Joseph Assil, and they have three children—Simone, Mitchell, and Marley. Their family is completed by their dog, Cooper, and cat, Romeo. Lisa looks forward to building a warm, welcoming community at the Glantz Early Childhood Program.
Inclusion
Kayla Schmitz is the Assistant Director of Inclusion at the Mandel JCC. She joined the team in 2019 and has a passion for creating opportunities of inclusivity for all children. She started her 14-year career at Arc Broward pre-school in Sunrise, FL. and prior to the JCC she was the Program Manager of Behavior for Broward Country Schools. Kayla is thrilled for another year of Camp Shalom and the exciting opportunity to bring children together to create memories, build friendships, and have some summer fun!
John is the Director of Inclusion for the Mandel JCC. Before joining the JCC family, he oversaw the Broward County Public Schools Preschool department. John also served is the Director of Education for The Victory Center which provided services to children from 3-22 years old. He started his career at the Baudhuin Preschool of Nova Southeastern University where he served as a teacher, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and administrator. John has a forty year-old brother on the Autism spectrum, which is his driving passion in the field.
Camp Shalom and JNightZ are not affiliated with the Yeladim Camp program. Yeladim operates as its own entity.
