Introducing… your head counselors!
Chaverim (3rd & 4th graders) – Emma and Rebekah
Where do you go to school and/or work?
Emma – Brandeis University; Rebekah – University of Puget Sound
What are you most excited about for this summer?
Emma – I am so excited to be back in the place that I love! I grew up at Camp Newman and was on staff for two summers, and last summer I did something different and found myself missing camp more than ever. I am so excited to create magic for these kids and further a love of Jewish camping.
If you had any superpower, what would it be and why? Rebekah – I would love to be able to fly!
Kesher (7th & 8th graders) – Liora, Liela and Ruby
Where do you go to school and/or work?
Leila – Irvine Valley College; Leah – Hebrew Union College; Liora –Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Did you go to summer camp? Ruby – Yes! I grew up at Camp Newman, and I was a blue raspberry Avodahnik in 2012.
What are you most excited about for this summer?
Leila – I’m really looking forward to creating special bonds with each and every one of my campers and counselors.
Liora – Yes! I attended Camp Newman. I especially remember the Harry Potter themed shtick during my CIT 2009 summer. The entire CIT class would come together each week to prep the shtick. I would usually create the posters for the settings in the backgrounds of the shtick. We did our best to create a realistic and hilarious shtick that the entire camp community could enjoy!
Nitzanim (5th & 6th graders) – Rachel and Daniel
Where do you go to school and/or work?
Rachel – Graduated from University of Arizona; Daniel – Hebrew Union College
What are the three words that describe you best? Daniel – Caring, Shmoozer, Persistent
Did you go to summer camp as a kid? Rachel – I attended URJ Henry S. Jacobs camp in Utica, Mississippi for basically my entire childhood. Before attending this camp I did not realize that Jewish people existed outside of my small town in Jackson, Tennessee. Growing up, I thought that the television show Rugrats was based on my family because they were also Jewish.
Hevrah (10th & 11th graders) – Maddy 
Where do you go to school and/or work? Director of Teen Engagement in Los Altos Hills at Congregation Beth Am
If you had any superpower, what would it be? To communicate in all languages!
Did you go to summer camp as a kid? I will always remember one of my favorite hashkevot as a camper when I became an ice cream connoisseur. My counselors brought two different types of ice cream (white and green mint chip) and we had a taste test!
If you had any superpower, what would it be? To communicate in all languages!
Maccabiah (8th & 9th graders) – Amanda & Leehe
Where are you from? Leehe – Tel Aviv, Israel
If you had any superpower, what would it be? Leehe – I wish I could help people be proud of their decisions and never regret them. I think this would make us happier as a society.
Did you go to summer camp? Amanda – Yes, here! I was in Avodah in 2011 (Go purple!) and a CIT in 2012.
Ayalim (9th & 10th graders) – Jory & Leah
Where do you go to school and/or work? Jory – Temple Isaiah
If you had any superpower, what would it be and why? Jory – Flight to be able to slam dunk!
Did you go to summer camp as a kid?
Leah – I went to camp at URJ Camp George near Toronto. My favorite part of camp growing up was the days spent on canoe trips every summer.
Etzim (6th & 7th graders) – Malcolm
Where do you go to school and/or work? NYU class of 2015, currently working as the Youth and Music Coordinator for Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa.
What are the three words that describe you best? Goofy, Talkative, Goofy again
If you had any superpower, what would it be and why? The ability to stop time (essentially a consequence free snooze button)
Did you go to summer camp as a kid? If so, what camp did you attend, and tell us a fun or funny memory from that experience: I loved climbing the Tower, dancing on Shabbat and hanging out with my bunk mates. I still remember the cheer our counselor made up for us when I was a camper in Chayim 2003 in cabin 404.