Debby Shriber
Executive Director: URJ Camps
Debby Shriber (she/her) is proud to be the Executive Director of the URJ Northeast Camps. She’s been with URJ Camps since 2009 and has worked in the camping field for over 20 years. For 9 years she directed Camp Poyntelle Lewis Village, a JCC overnight camp in Wayne County, PA. Prior to that Debby was a day camp director.
Debby was raised in Worcester MA. As a teen, she was a very active member of NFTY Northeast and her synagogue, Temple Emanuel. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Debby completed the JCC Association Lechu Lachem Senior Fellowship and also served as a mentor for the Foundation for Jewish Camp Yitro Fellowship. During the school year, Debby, her wife Nili, their daughter Molly, and their dog Bexley live in Fort Lee, NJ.
Paul Isserles
Director: Eisner Camp
Paul Isserles (he/him) returned home to become the Director of URJ Eisner Camp in October of 2021. He brings to the role over 20 years of directing day camps, including Camp Jacobson and Buckley Day Camp. For Paul, there is no place that has been more influential in his life than camp, especially Eisner. He worked at Eisner from 1993-1997, as a counselor, songleader and unit head. Not only did his time at Eisner launch him into the world of camping and informal Jewish education, but he met his wife, Shari, there in 1994.
Paul is a product of the Reform Movement, spending his childhood and teen years in youth groups and on the board of LIFTY. He is a graduate of the University at Albany and earned a master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University.
In his spare time, Paul loves sports, whether playing baseball or basketball himself, or coaching his son, Michael’s baseball teams. Paul, and his wife, Shari live in Port Washington, with their son, Michael and where Shari works as the Director of Congregational Education at The Community Synagogue.
Efraim Yudewitz
Director: Crane Lake Camp
Efraim Yudewitz (he/him) joined the Crane Lake Camp team as Director in 2021 after having served the Northeast Jewish community for 15 years. Most recently, Efraim spent seven years as the Director of Camp Tel Noar in New Hampshire, and previously held leadership positions at Gann Academy, Greater Boston’s independent Jewish high school.
Efraim is a big believer in the transformative impact of Jewish camp! Camp has played a very special role in his life — he has been a camper, staff member, consultant, board member, and director. Efraim, his wife (who he met when they were both campers!), and their two kids live in Sharon, MA where their home is filled with tie dye, spontaneous dance parties, and snacks, and always has room for camp friends and extended family.
Ray Kimmelblatt
Development Director: Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
Ray Kimmelblatt (she/her) joined the URJ Northeast Camps team in 2020. She brings to the role nearly 20 years of fundraising experience in higher education, healthcare, and community organizations. Ray began her career planning the 2001 URJ Biennial Convention and spent the last 10 years as a nonprofit executive director. Ray is a product of the Reform Movement and URJ camps, attending Eisner (’87, ’94), Kutz (’93) and Greene Family Camp (’96, ’97). She is a graduate of the University at Albany and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College. Ray is an alumna of Project OTZMA (’00), a year-long fellowship in Israel. In spare time, Ray enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and refinishing furniture. A native Long Islander, Ray met her husband Craig in Hebrew school in third grade. They live outside of Albany, NY with their sons Spencer and Jordan and their rambunctious pug, Ruby.