Our Staff
Rabbi Ed Gelb – C.E.O.
Rabbi Ed Gelb (he/him) has served as director of Camp Ramah New England since September of 2005, and C.E.O. since October of 2018. Ed joined CRNE after a successful five-year tenure as director of Camp Alonim, which is affiliated with the Brandeis Bardin Institute in California. Raised in Wyoming, Ed is a longtime Ramahnik, having served on the staffs of Ramah California and Ramah Canada for many years. Prior to becoming director of Camp Alonim, Ed was a teacher, administrator and basketball coach at Yeshiva University High School in Los Angeles. Ed received his ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism and graduated from UCLA with a BA in History. He lives in Sharon, Massachusetts with his wife, Tami, and their children, Yoni, Emma, Tova and Zachary.
Josh Edelglass – Director
Josh Edelglass (he/him) has been spending his summers at Camp Ramah New England since 1987, and he began working on staff in the summer of 1995. Josh graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 1999 and received his Masters in Jewish Studies from Gratz in 2022. He joined the year-round team in 2000, and was the Assistant Director from 2011-2022. Josh has worked on the faculty of Prozdor Hebrew High School, Temple Aliyah in Needham, Temple Israel in Natick, Tifereth Israel in Andover, Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill, and Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline. Somehow, on top of living and breathing Camp Ramah, Josh continues to work as a freelance illustrator, and to write about movies, TV shows, and lots more at his web-site: www.JoshuaEdelglass.com. He lives in Medfield, Massachusetts with his wife, Stephanie, and their children Tahlia and Reya.
Michelle Sugarman – Director
Michelle Sugarman (she/her) is thrilled to be joining the Camp Ramah New England team. Originally from Scranton, PA, she was a long-time camper and staff member at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, spending 26 summers there, including 12 as the Assistant and then Associate Director. Prior to starting at Camp Ramah New England, Michelle was the Director of the North American Office of Academic Affairs of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She completed her BA in Jewish Studies and MSW at Temple University. Michelle brings with her a love of camp, a wealth of experience, and a plethora of innovative and creative ideas that will continue to make Ramah New England a leader in Jewish camping. When not watching the Eagles, Michelle is reading books, hanging out with family & friends, or watching The Office.
Ed Pletman – Chief Operating Officer
Ed Pletman (he/him) joined Camp Ramah New England as the Director of Finance and Operations in July, 2012. Prior to that, Ed worked professionally as the Director of Informal Education at the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, the Director of Camp Tevya (Cohen Camps), and for many years at the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Ed completed his BS in Psychology at Union College and his MSW at Boston University. For many years, Ed has also volunteered as a Standards Accreditation Visitor with the American Camp Association. During the offseason, Ed lives in Stoughton Massachusetts.
Seth Finkle – Director of Development
Seth Finkle (he/him) has a BFA in Acting and Stage Management from the University of Rhode Island and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. Currently, he sits as the President of the Board of Directors for URI Hillel. Before starting at Ramah, Seth was the Director of Development for Camp JORI in Wakefield, RI and before that, he was the Senior Advancement Officer at Gann Academy for three years. Seth has worked with many different volunteer groups including board members, alumni, and alumni parents. Before Gann, he worked at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island for seven years in the philanthropy department and ran their summer day camp. During his time at the Alliance, he was part of a prestigious 18-month fellowship all about teen engagement. Seth is excited to be working at Ramah and getting to know everyone!
Our Year-Round Staff
Laura Berger, RN – Nurse Director
Laura Berger (she/her) grew up in Dayton, OH and went to college at University of Michigan (Go Blue!). She was a happy camper, counselor, and Rosh Edah at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, where she especially loved being on agam staff. Laura has a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University and a Master of Jewish Studies degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary. After working at Jewish Federations for several years, Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 2012. She currently works as an Intensive Care RN at Hartford Hospital. Laura lives in West Hartford with her husband Yoni, who is the Head of School at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford, their four children, Talya, Adina, Rami, and Benny, and several pets. Laura is thrilled to be joining the Ramah New England team!
Emma Gelb – Recruitment Coordinator, Greater Boston
Emma Gelb (she/her) loves camp more than anything and has been part of the Camp Ramah family for over 19 years! She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education in the Spring of 2023 before joining the year-round team here at Ramah. When she’s not working, Emma enjoys volunteering with children in foster care, playing the guitar, and all types of crafts!
Sami Eisen – Development Manager
Sami Eisen (she/her) is excited to be part of the Ramah New England team! Originally from Toronto, Sami moved to Boston to pursue a dual master’s degree at Brandeis University. She graduates this May with a Master’s of Jewish Professional Leadership and a Social Impact MBA. Sami grew up in the Ramah world, as a camper at Camp Ramah in Canada. She then worked at Ramah Canada as a staff member and Rosh Edah, and she joined the year-round team at Canada as the Program Director in 2020. In her spare time, Sami loves exploring Boston restaurants, baking and of course, talking all things camp!
Maggie Fayer – Director of Administration
Maggie Fayer (she/her) is thrilled to be joining Camp Ramah New England as the Director of Administration. Having spent over 10 years in the overnight camp world, working at camp is Maggie’s greatest passion. Prior to joining Camp Ramah, Maggie received her Master’s Degree in Education Leadership, Organization, and Entrepreneurship at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Bachelor of Community Development and a minor in Business Administration from Acadia University, as well as a Technical DEC in Community Recreation and Leadership Training and a Certificate of Peace Studies from Dawson College. In her past positions at different camps, Maggie has had various roles including Theatre Specialist, Rosh Edah, Head of Recruitment, Office Manager, and more. In this role, Maggie is excited to build relationships with campers, parents and staff alike, and looks forward to contributing to a meaningful and supportive space for all at Camp Ramah.
Pamela Kekst – Assistant Director
Pamela Kekst (she/her) joined Ramah New England in 2019 after growing up at several Ramah camps and working as a Rosh Edah at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, NY. Pamela earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland, where she also minored in Jewish Studies. Pamela is currently working towards her MSW at Columbia School of Social Work as well as an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is a Nachshon Project Graduate Fellow, through which she has grown her love for Jewish community. Pamela loves to read, craft, and explore NYC!
David Kieval – Camper Support Specialist
David Kieval, PsyD, BCBA grew up as a camper and staff member at CRNE, and his career as a child clinical psychologist grew directly out of his work in the Tikvah Program. As a psychologist, David has expertise supporting children with neurodevelopmental, behavioral, social-emotional, and learning differences, including ADHD, autism, anxiety, and trauma. David has a PsyD from Rutgers University, and completed postgraduate training at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). David has conducted workshops on inclusion and equity at synagogues around the country, worked at Boston Children’s Hospital, and held a teaching appointment at Harvard Medical School. In the off-season, David lives in Northampton, Mass., with his wife Emily and three young children, who are beginning their own Ramah journeys. He also works as a therapist, clinical supervisor and trainer for a local community mental health agency. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and backpacking, playing guitar, and cheering for the Celtics.
Ken Milgram – Finance Associate
Ken Milgram, a native Philadelphian, is a member of our Finance Department. After spending over 20 years in the for-profit world, he enjoys helping our camp families with all financial matters pertaining to their children being able to experience the most amazing summers at one of our Ramah New England camps. In his spare time, he loves to travel abroad to spend time with his children & grandchildren; he loves the theater and all things Philadelphia sports related.
Emily Odesser – Director of Camper Care
Emily Odesser (she/her) is ecstatic to join the Camp Ramah in New England year-round team as Director of Camper Care. Emily was a camper at Palmer from 2001-2007, attended Ramah seminar, and was a staff member from 2010-2016 as a madricha, Rosh Edah, and program staff (and one summer as a Rosh Edah at Ramah DC Day Camp in 2019!). Emily is a licensed clinical social worker; she received her BA in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science as well as her MSW and certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has been practicing medical social work for the past several years and is excited to return to camp where her social work interests began. Emily resides in Rockville, Maryland with her husband Adam (who she met at camp when he came as a member of the mishlachat), and two children Priya and Liad.
Kolby Purcell – Director of Finance
Kolby (he/him) was excited to join Camp Ramah New England as our Director of Finance in 2025 and is eager to dive into the world of summer camp. With over 12 years of experience in financial roles at various non-profit organizations, Kolby brings a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Outside of the office, he enjoys photography, recreational sports, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Bonnie Schwartz – Tikvah Director
Dr. Bonnie Schwartz has served as our Tikvah Director since the end of 2015 and is thankful for the ability to combine her professional interests with her love of camp! Dr. Schwartz is a lifelong camper and a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with children, teens, and adults with developmental, learning, social and emotional differences and their families. Outside of camp, she is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at a medical center faculty group practice where she provides assessment, therapy, family support, school and community consultation, and social skills groups. Bonnie’s favorites at camp include celebrating Shabbat, singing, crafts, appreciating the beauty of nature and, most importantly, enjoying life-changing summers with her extended Tikvah family.
Becky Sherman – Registrar
Becky Sherman is a Jew by Choice who grew up in Eastern Massachusetts and now resides in Palmer. She enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 adult children and extended family. In her spare time, she spends time quilting with her mother and sister including making quilts for cancer patients. Becky joined the summer staff at Ramah as the receptionist in 2013 and is excited to be a part of the year-round staff.
Riki Wiederhorn – Director of Year-Round Programming
Riki Wiederhorn (she/her) has been a part of the Camp Ramah Camper Care Team since 2011 and is now also the Director of Year-Round Programming, but her connection to Ramah began as a camper in Camp Ramah Ojai in the 80’s. Prior to joining the year-round staff, she worked in various formal and informal Jewish educational settings including Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford, CT for almost a decade. Riki holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara (political science) and an MA in Jewish Education from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. She lives in Westport, CT with her husband Jeremy and youngest son Avi. All three of her children Meital, Ayelet and Avi were CRNE campers and past or future staff members.
Our Year-Round Staff in Palmer
Sean Carey – Chef Manager
Sean Carey has been the Chef at Camp Ramah New England since 2010. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Sean has worked in a variety of food service operations including higher education, casinos, and fine-dining restaurants. In his free time, Sean loves salt-water fishing and traveling the country with his wife, dog, and cat.
Joe Libera – Site and Facility Manager
Joe Libera has been the Site and Facility Manager at Camp Ramah New England since 2018. Joe brings years of experience as a licensed contractor, and has a deep understanding of the Camp’s infrastructure enabling him to have a keen eye for development. Joe spends his free time with his grandchildren, and loves making them wooden rockers and toys!
Jackie Romito-Carey – Events Manager, Palmer
Born and raised in the food business, Jackie Romito-Carey believes the only way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. She created her dream job at Camp Ramah New England in 2021. During the summer months she works in the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall), making sure everyone eats well, and in the off-season she helps plan and organize special events and retreats held at Camp Ramah. When she’s not planning events, Jackie loves practicing yoga, hiking, and reading.