YTT WEST 2024 UPPER STAFF
Director
Yoram Roschwalb
Yoram comes to YTT bringing all the tools you could ask for from a summer program director.
Incredible enthusiasm, love for every Jewish soul, years of experience both working with teenagers and leading summer tours. Longtime Director of Student Activities at SAR High School, Yoram planned and executed trips and programming for thousands of high schools students over the years. He also led many Achva summer tours where he was beloved by participants for the limitless energy he put into every activity. Yoram lives in Israel with his wife and two children.
Staff Director/ Camp Mom
Sheri Mestel
Sheri is returning as our Staff Director and YTT Mom. Sheri has years of experience working with teenagers including overseeing tours for Achva. During the year, Sheri works full time as an Art Teacher at a public school in Brooklyn, NY. While on tour, Sheri's job is all encompassing. Whether it is running a staff-appreciation event taking care of a participant's medical needs, Sheri does it all.
But most importantly, Sheri provides our campers with endless love and attention so that they can feel like they are right at home!
Head Rabbi
Rabbi Jeff Ney
Rabbi Ney is an esteemed educator with many years of experience in both formal and informal education. Rabbi Ney is currently the Middle School Director for Westchester Day School in NY. Rabbi Ney has spent his summers as a Division Head at Camp Mesorah, and more recently, the Director of Chinuch at Camp Nesher. He is an innovative and dynamic personality who will inspire the kids and guide them in all manners of halacha and hashkafa. Rabbi Ney knows how to turn even the most mundane situation into an unforgettable time, which is one of the many reasons he is so beloved by all!
Director of Technology & Social Media
Josh Lewis (aka JLew)
Returning for his 3rd summer on YTT, Josh is our Director of Technology & Social Media.
Josh will make sure you get to see great pictures and video footage of your son/daughter while they are having an amazing time on YTT. He also coordinates our social media and video recaps during the summer so you can stay up to date with the tour. During the school year, Josh is the Director of Technology and a member of the student activities team for TABC in Teaneck, NJ. Feel free to check out Josh's epic video footage by clicking here!
Boys Head Counselor
Rabbi Michael Goldman
We are extremely excited that Rabbi Goldman will be joining our team for the summer of 2024! Rabbi Goldman has had a wide range of experience working with Jewish teens over the last ten years, both in formal and informal education and programming. He was a counselor at Camp Moshava and worked for OU-JLIC at Queens College and NYU. Rabbi Goldman currently works at SAR High School, where he has been teaching for the last 7 years. His warmth, passion, and energy have set him apart as a beloved rebbe and teacher, and he has a natural ability to connect with people.
Girls Head Counselor
Abby Finkelstein
Abby is back for her 3rd summer on YTT! Abby brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to the tour. During the year, Abby is a 5th grade teacher at a public school on the Upper East Side while pursuing a masters in literacy education at Hunter College. Informal education is Abby's passion as she has previously worked as a counselor at Camp Moshava and an advisor for NCSY's Boston chapter. Abby's ability to connect with our campers while also providing them with structure and organization is absolutely remarkable!
Director of Chinuch
Rav Aaron Blustein
B'H, Rav Aaron Blustein will be returning as Director of Chinuch. Rav Aaron will be focusing on teaching shiurim and infusing the trip with Yiddishkeit. He is also going to help oversee implementation of our religious policies and guidelines to be sure they reflect the highest standards of Modern Orthodoxy. During the year Rav Aaron is a Gemara Rebbe at Frisch. He also serves as the Teen Mashpia of the Young Israel of Scarsdale’s Teen Minyan. Rav Aaron is not new to the teen tour business- he served as an advisor on Sulam and more recently, for NCSY’s Southern TJJ program. Rav Aaron's warmth and passion will undoubtedly enhance the YTT experience!
YTT Therapist
Tova Sprecher- Markowitz
Tova Sprecher-Markowitz, a licensed therapist and mental health counselor (MS ED), who has helped us develop and implement important safety policies and procedures surrounding abuse and mental health issues. Whether they need a quick smile or a shoulder to cry on, Tovah is there to provide support and love for all our participants. She will also be running our pre-summer safety training for staff. Tova has a private practice in Long Island and is also a school psychologist for the NYC public school system.
We are so glad that she will be joining us this summer!
Remote Staff Support
Michael Courtney
We are excited to share that Devora Courtney (Michael's wife) is pregnant and expecting in early July, בעזרת השם! Therefore, Michael will be taking this summer off to be with his family. He will be available for support from afar and will rejoin the team for summer 2025! We wish the Courtney's a בשעה טובה ומוצלחת!