About Cohen Camps

Meet the Leadership

Get to know the President, Directors, and Board of the Cohen Camps.

Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan Cohen President, The Cohen Camps

Jonathan’s grandparents founded The Cohen Camps, the nonprofit family of three Jewish overnight camps which includes Camp Pembroke, Camp Tel Noar, and Camp Tevya, and he proudly continues their commitment to effective leadership. He has managed the organization for a decade in partnership with the Cohen Camps Board of Directors. A recognized expert in the field of Jewish camping, he serves on the Board of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association. To his love and knowledge of camp, he adds his 20 years of experience in the business world in product development, strategic planning and change management for financial and technology firms. Jonathan holds a BA in Philosophy from Brandeis University and an MBA from Cornell University.

Year-Round Leadership

Amy Coran

Amy Coran Co-Director, Camp Pembroke

Amy has spent 20 summers on Lake Oldham; 2023 marks her fourth season as Co-Director, after 3 years as Assistant Director. Previously, she directed residential services for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, partnering with families to create valuable and meaningful experiences. Amy holds a MA in Human Resources Management from Lasell College, has a BS from University of Delaware in Human Services, Education and Public Policy with a minor in Disabilities Studies, and has completed the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yitro Leadership Program for Assistant Directors.

Becca Goldman

Becca Goldman Co-Director, Camp Pembroke

Becca is so excited about her 18th summer at Camp Pembroke! She also previously served as Camp Pembroke Assistant Director, after 8 years serving as Assistant Director at the Cohen Camps’ Camp Tel Noar, helping to strengthen programming, the staff experience and camper care. Becca holds an MBA from Bentley University, and a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has also completed the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yitro Leadership Program for Assistant Directors.

Man smiling

Aaron Gurvis Director, Camp Tel Noar

An enthusiastic and experienced Jewish educator, Aaron has come to CTN from his role as Assistant Director of URJ Crane Lake Camp, where he oversaw all camp programs, Jewish life and learning, staff training, and much more. He brings special experience in teen engagement and leadership programming, having served as NFTY Northeast Regional Advisor. He has worked with children and teens in numerous educator roles at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA. And he has held summer leadership roles at URJ 6 Points Sci Tech Academy and URJ Eisner Camp and as a Group Leader on Kesher Birthright and NFTY trips in Israel. Aaron holds a Certificate in Jewish Education for Adolescents and Emerging Adults from Hebrew Union College and earned his BA in Linguistics with a Minor in Information Technology from UMass/Amherst.
 
He says, “I can’t wait to meet everyone in this legendary camp community and to work together with you toward a very exciting future for Camp Tel Noar.”
Amanda Morgan

Amanda Morgan Associate Director, Camp Tel Noar

This is Amanda’s 9th year in the leadership of Tel Noar. Having served as Acting Director in Summer 2022, she is now partnering with and supporting Aaron as he transitions into the leadership role. Amanda previously served as Assistant Director for three years, immersed in all the planning, support, hiring, training, and management to create an excellent camping experience. She was CTN’s Program Director for three years before that. Passionate about youth development, Amanda is an experienced educator with background as a K-12 synagogue educator, youth director, and high school teacher. Amanda holds a BA from the University of Florida and has attended law school.

Ben Portnoy

Ben Portnoy Director, Camp Tevya

Devoted to Camp Tevya since his camper days, Ben joined the year-round team in 2012. He leads by example with a hands-on, camper-first approach. By teaching and cultivating 21st century skills in an immersive environment, Ben believes Jewish summer camp changes lives. He holds an MBA in Leadership from Bentley University, a BA in Sociology and English from the University of Vermont, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. He also completed the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s selective Yitro Leadership Program for Assistant Directors. Ben met his wife, Margo, at Tevya; they both love each summer on the shores of Lake Potanipo, shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Lauren Fishman Assistant Director, Camp Tevya

Just like the campers, Lauren lives 10 months for 2. Prior to her current role, she served as Tevya’s Tsofot Head Counselor for five summers. Her love of camp grew as a camper at Camp Pembroke, another Cohen Camp, for several summers. Prior to joining Tevya’s year-round team, Lauren served as a Director at SCORE! Education Center and taught in elementary schools in Chelsea and Newton. She holds a MA in Elementary Education from Lesley University and BA in Sociology from Union College. Her husband, Dave, is a Tevya alum; their three children are all Tevya campers. She maintains that camp is the best gift they ever could have given their kids.

Susan Altman

Susan Altman Director, Dor L'Dor Israel Programs

Susan is a seasoned nonprofit and Jewish community professional who joined the Cohen Camps in 2022 to lead the Dor L’Dor Israel travel experience for our oldest campers. She served for six years as Executive Director of Temple Shir Tikva, where she built community and developed exciting, meaningful programs that helped attract a 20% growth in membership. She has also held community-building and funding management roles at Friends of Hebrew Senior Life, Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, WGBH Boston, and CJP. A graduate of Tulane University, she loved her summers as a Jewish camp counselor and administrator throughout college. Her husband attended Camp Teyva and their three teen and young-adult daughters all attended Jewish camp as campers and staff. Susan notes, “Giving a young person this close-up experience of Israel truly solidifies a strong Jewish identity before they head off to college and into the rest of their lives.”

Stacey Smalley

Stacey Smalley Director, Leadership Development + Kadima Teen Leadership

Stacey is the Director of our Kadima Teen Leadership program as well as cultivating leadership throughout our Cohen Camps organization. Stacey grew up as a camper, CIT, counselor, and head counselor at Camp Tevya, where her two sons also attended as campers. She taught for many years as a middle and high school teacher, including at the Fessenden School. She holds a BA and MA in Teaching from Union College, with additional certifications in virtual and experiential Jewish education and in social emotional learning and character development. Stacey says, “My own counselor-in-training summer was transformative for me. It gave me a love of learning and began my journey as a teacher. I am deeply excited to expand these opportunities for our teens and camps.”

Barbara Stevens

Barbara Stevens Director, Development

An alum of Camp Tevya 1972-83, Barbara helps our families, alumni, and donors connect with each other, to fantastic projects and programs, and to a wide range of ways to support the Camps’ communities and spirit. She worked for many years in sports (NBA/NFL teams) and entertainment (tour manager of KC & The Sunshine Band for 10 years!), building and strengthening customer relationships and ensuring great customer experiences. Barbara rejoined The Cohen Camps in late 2013. “I made lifelong friends at Tevya,” Barbara notes. “Not high school or college. CAMP! I am so glad to be here and I love catching up with Cohen Camps’ friends and families from all years.”

Board of Directors

Each member of the Cohen Camps Board of Directors brings personal and professional expertise to their role and is deeply committed to our nonprofit mission. Many are camp alumni, past camp staff, and/or parents of current or past campers, with all three camps represented. Others lend their expertise from the broader community. Together we are positioning the organization to thrive.

Women's Journey to Israel

Show me pricing and what's included

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Camp affiliations(s), if any:
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Enroll in just 5 minutes!