YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Counsellors at Camp Gesher are known for their endless energy, passionate mentor-ship and continual drive to create the best environment possible for our campers. When hiring staff, we look for people who personify these qualities – leading by example, having diverse backgrounds and a wide variety of skills and knowledge that can be shared with campers.
Our Israeli counsellors are part of the “ShinShin” program. They are 18 year old emissaries sent by Jewish Agency for Israel to communities around North America to educate youth on Israel and Israeli culture. Our ShinShinim work at Jewish Day Schools in Toronto throughout the year.
Most importantly, our staff share their skills and knowledge with campers. Our goal is for campers to leave the summer with new abilities and the confidence to try new things. From water skiing, basketball and canoeing to music, arts & crafts, we hold our counsellors personally accountable for creating an environment that allows kids of all ages and expertise to thrive.
SUMMER LEADERSHIP 2021
Micah Maerov
Rosh
(Director)
Summer 2021
My name is Micah Maerov and I am thrilled and honoured to announce that I will be taking on the position of Rosh Machaneh for kayitz 2021! I look forward to planning an incredible summer and am so excited. Gesher has always been an important part of my life, and I am prepared to give back to it in every way that I can. I can’t wait to help build memorable summer experiences in this wonderful place!
Molly
Katz
Melava
(Camper Care Director)
Summer 2021
My name is Molly Katz, and i’m so excited to be back at camp this coming summer as Gesher’s Melevah!!! I’ve been coming to Gesher since 2011! Spending my summers at Gesher has been so formative in my life and having the opportunity to positively influence our campers is something I look forward to all year. I absolutely can’t wait to care for, learn with, and have an amazing summer with all of our Gesher chanichimot!
Maya Weidman
Chinuch
(Educational Director)
Summer 2021
My name is Maya Weidman and I couldn’t be more excited to be Gesher’s Chinuch this upcoming summer. This will be my 11th summer spent at Camp Gesher, and getting to come back each year has been a life-changing experience. I’m looking forward to helping make kayitz 2021 absolutely amazing, and can’t wait to experience the Gesher magic once again!
YEAR-ROUND STAFF
You'll find Gesher staff at seminars and Ken events throughout the year, working together with the counsellors to ensure the Gesher community remains meaningful and magical.
Director
Shoshana Lipschultz
Shoshana credits much of her own leadership and Jewish identity development to summers as a camper and counselor in the woods of Northern Arizona, and studying in Israel in high school, University and Graduate School.
Shoshi brings her years of experience in youth leadership programming as an educator, manager and camp director to Camp Gesher. Shoshi managed day-to-day camp operations of Camp JCA Shalom, a JCC Residential Camp in southern California and at a day-camp in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Shoshi has worked as an educator with pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school and university-age students, engaged in experiential learning experiences. Shoshi has also worked with adults as an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher.
Shoshi has 3 boys, J (yes, just J, like Men in Black), Noam (Bogrim 2020) and Yair (Bogrim 2023). Her dog Suki occasionally visits camp in the summer.
"I am committed to creating meaningful programming that will engage your child in the best camp experience possible. I work closely with our leadership to provide for the well being of our campers and staff, and am present during all Summer Camp sessions and year round seminars. I am eager to assist families in any way that they may need"
Assistant Director
Matthew Jadd
Matthew Jadd has joined the Camp Gesher family as Assistant Director.
Matthew is a Toronto native who recently graduated from Brandeis University where he earned his MBA in Nonprofit Management from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management, as well as his MA in Jewish Professional Leadership from the Hornstein School for Jewish Professional Leadership.
Matthew spent his summers at Camp B’nai Brith Ottawa as a camper and went on to work as staff there for five years. In his last year, Matthew became the first Head of Judaic Programming for the camp. Matthew has also worked as the Director of Youth Engagement at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Maryland, Site Coordinator at Nike Sports Camps Canada and as a Research Assistant at The Julia & Henry Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
The Camp Gesher Board and its committees are comprised of highly dedicated alumni, parents of campers, Madrichim (counsellors) and friends of Gesher who volunteer their time, energy and support.