Full Time Staff
Anne Hope, our Director, has an extensive background in camping. She been a junior counselor, counselor, head counselor, unit head, CIT Director, Assistant Director and Camp Director at Camp Butwin (St. Paul JCC), Camp Chi, Machana Gesher (Givat Olga, Israel), and Camp Teko (Temple Israel, Mpls.). She has also been a youth director at both Beth El Synagogue in Minneapolis and Temple Israel in Minneapolis. For the past few years she has been busy with her three children ages, 11, 9, and 5, and her husband Bruce. She has been working part-time teaching a variety of electives to 9th-12th graders at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah.
Sarah Gruesner is our Assistant Director of Programming. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and has worked throughout the Minneapolis Jewish community teaching religious school and working with local youth groups. She is excited for another summer up at camp.
Former Herzl camper, Gary Kibort is Herzl Camp's Assistant Director of Operations. He and his family have been life long residents of the Twin Cities. Gary has been involved with several community organizations throughout the years and is looking forward to working closely with the Herzl community.
Summer Staff
Herzl Camp staff come from across the United States, Canada, and Israel. All of our counselors and specialists are selected for their talents, skills, maturity, knowledge, and abilities with children. Our Israeli staff come to us through the Summer Shlichim program, which provides superb training in areas ranging from child development to making learning fun. All of our staff, including those from outside the states are interviewed, have their references checked and are given thorough background checks to ensure campers' safety. With so many former Herzl campers on board the rich traditions that have developed over more than half a century are sure to thrive and grow. To apply for a job at Herzl Camp, click here.
Training
Both prior to the arrival of the first camper and throughout the summer, the staff and Ozrim receive training in a wide range of areas including: creating and running effective programs, building self-esteem, group management, conflict resolution, recognizing and preventing abuse, Jewish practice, Herzl customs, and emergency protocols. Our staff always includes certified lifeguards, first-aiders, and CPR providers.
Scholars in Residence
To enrich the skills and knowledge of everyone at camp, local and national experts are regularly brought to camp. Musicians, Rabbis, youth leaders, authors, educators, and artists give the campers and staff experiences that can only be found at Herzl Camp.