Meet the Leadership
Get to know the President, Directors, and Board of the Cohen Camps.
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 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 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.
Aaron Gurvis Director, Camp Tel Noar
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 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 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 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 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.
Profession: Attorney
Camp connection: Camper at Tel Noar and Tevya; staff at Tevya in kitchen and as driver; parent of Tel Noar camper-alums
Fun fact: As a grandchild of Eli and Bessie Cohen, I started coming to camp even before I was a camper.
“Like my grandparents and parents, I believe in the importance of perpetuating a tradition of Jewish culture and religion and support of Israel among young people. The best way to do this is by giving young people a fun environment that will allow them to grow as persons.”
Profession: Software founder and business executive with focus on managing costs, compliance, risk exposure, and efficiency
Camp connection: Tevya alum as camper, counselor, and current parent of 3 campers.
Fun fact: My mother was a Tevya Color War Captain in the 1950s. My sister also attended, as did my nieces.
“I feel a deep responsibility to make certain that the community and place that have given so much to so many will be here for many more families and generations to come.”
Profession: Physician
Camp connection: Tel Noar alum as camper, counselor, and parent. My brother Bernie also attended Tel Noar.
Fun fact: I met my husband, Paul Greenberg, when we were both counselors at Tel Noar.
“I am honored to serve on the Board to sustain the continuity of Judaism by providing positive Jewish experiences for our children through camp.”
Profession: Multinational financial services executive with focus on risk management and fighting financial crime
Camp connection: Board role is first connection
Fun fact: In high school, I was active in my temple and New England youth groups.
“I am motivated to support the wonderful ways the Cohen Camps uniquely help campers grow as individuals and as confident Jews.”
Profession: Physician
Camp connection: Pembroke alum as camper and counselor (1979-1992), and current parent
Fun fact: My camp friends and I still talk all the time. I get together with my Pembroke bunkmates almost every year.
“I enjoy being a member of the Board so I can stay connected to this foundational experience I had from my youth and make sure others get to have the same opportunity. “
Profession: Attorney
Camp connection: Tel Noar alum as camper (1973-75), counselor (1981-83), and parent
Fun fact: I met my wife, Renee Goldberg, when we were both counselors at Tel Noar.
“It’s a privilege to serve an organization like the Cohen Camps that has such a profound effect on the personal growth and development of our campers and their Jewish identity, and on the establishment of life-long friendships.”
Profession: Middle-school educator
Camp connection: Parent of an enthusiastic Pembroke alum
Fun fact: I never attended camp as a young person but watching my daughter’s love for her summer experiences and her life- long friendships with her summer sisters made me realize just how special it is!
“I am excited to serve on the board because I want to give back to the place that gave her so much. I also strongly believe that a Jewish camp experience is vital to Jewish continuity.”
Profession: Social policy researcher with focus in gender policy
Camp connection: Board role is first connection
Fun fact: Although new to the Cohen Camps, I grew up at Jewish camps, too: as a camper and counselor in Maine, and in travel programs in the US and Hungary
“Camp was by far the most formative and meaningful experience I had as a child and I look forward to helping shape that opportunity for each and every person in the Cohen Camps community. I will strive to help build a brighter and more inclusive camp experience.”
Profession: School CFO and finance/operations officer
Camp connection: Camp Tel Noar alum as camper and staff (1982-1991) and parent
Fun fact: Both my children attended camp, one of whom served as a counselor the last two summers.
“I am excited to serve on the Cohen Camps Board so that I can give back to Jewish camping, where I developed many of my closest friendships and which has had such a positive impact on my own children, too. I hope our work can help make the Cohen Camps sustainable for generations to come.”
Profession: Professional liability underwriter
Camp connection: Pembroke and Tevya alum, and past counselor and then Director at Tevya
Fun fact: As a grandchild of Eli and Bessie Cohen, camping is in my DNA.
“I grew up at camp, made lifelong friendships, and have carried this positive Jewish experience throughout my life. I believe camp is an invaluable way for children to learn independence, gain a cultural connection to Judaism, make friends, and learn new skills. Being on the Board is a rewarding experience because I am hopeful that it is enriching lives and that I can help campers and staff today have as great an experience as I did.”
Profession: City social worker with a focus on
Camp connection: Tevya camper and counselor for 12 years
Fun fact: I’m a great-grandchild of Eli and Bessie Cohen, so I’m a fourth-generation member of the Cohen Camps family.
“I serve on the Board to stay connected to the camp community and strengthen it for the future.”
Profession: Retired educator; active volunteer
Camp connection: Served on the Cohen Camps Board for many years and remains available as an advisor
Role: In his capacity as President/CEO of the Cohen Camps, Jonathan also serves on the Board of Directors.
Camp connection: Over 11 years, he was a camper at both Tel Noar and Tevya, and then worked in the kitchen and as a counselor at Tevya.
Fun fact: Jonathan’s grandparents founded the Cohen Camps. They passed the leadership to his parents, Arnold and Annebelle, who passed it to him, making him the third generation of family leadership.
Read more about Jonathan above.
