Jared Powers, Assistant Executive Director
Jared Powers came to Atlanta by way of Toronto, Canada in 1978. From childhood, Jared has been an active member of the Jewish Community. He had a leadership role in BBYO and experience at Camp Isidore Alterman and Camp Barney Medintz, in which he carried knowledge over to a staffing position. Jared has especially fond memories of his 6 years working at Camp Barney as a counselor and unit head. Jared's educational tenacity has earned him a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Florida, an M.B.A. from Georgia State University and a teaching certificate from Mercer University. Jared returned to the MJCCA in January 2005 and is in his 8th summer with the day camping program. In addition to day camps, he also oversees membership, Club J, sports & fitness, developmental disabilities, inclusion programs and registration and customer service. Married to Jennifer, his beautiful wife of 11 years, Jared enjoys playing with his boys, Jake and Eli, and cheering for the Gators.
Meryl Rindsberg, Director, Camp Central
Meryl was born in Dothan, Alabama, but moved to Dunwoody when she was 14. Growing up, she attended Camp Judaea for many years and still views that time in her life as the most influential. She attended UGA (Go Dawgs!) and graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She went on to work as a Corporate Recruiter for four years and then worked as a real estate Closing Coordinator. Meryl began her tenure at the MJCCA in 2005 as the Camp Central Registrar. She was promoted to Camp Central Director in 2007. Since then, she has significantly enhanced the Camp Central structure and camp registration process. Her insight and attention to detail has shown in the progression of each year’s Camp Central Registration Day and resulted in her becoming the MJCCA Day Camps Operations Director in 2010. She is married to her husband of 11 years, Lenny and they have three wonderful children, Nathan, Zachary and Emily, who are all avid Bulldog fans!
Kayleen Vannette, Director, Camp Isidore Alterman
Kayleen is committed to creating a safe, positive, nurturing and exciting summer camp environment where children truly thrive. Born and raised in Holland, Michigan, Kayleen traveled south to find her home in Atlanta. Kayleen received a degree in Social Work from Hope College and expanded her knowledge through her experiences working in various roles as a Master Counselor at a wilderness camp for at-risk youth, a Youth Sports Coordinator at Zaban Park, the Assistant Camp Director for Barbara and Sanford Orkin Camp Chai and Associate Camp Director for Camp Isidore Alterman. With Kayleen's love for kids, sports, and the outdoors, camp is an important part of her life. Kayleen is looking forward to another great year with CIA!
Lori Goldstein, Assistant Director, Camp Isidore Alterman
Lori Goldstein is from Augusta, GA and growing up was very active in Young Judaea and BBYO. Every summer Lori attended the Augusta JCC day camp, competed in swim team and loved her time at Camp Judaea. Lori received her undergraduate degree with a double major in Literature & Communications and Judaic Studies from The American Jewish University. While in college Lori studied abroad in Israel at Ben-Gurion University and traveled throughout the country. After graduation Lori moved back to the South and began to work for Young Judaea in Atlanta. Aside from her responsibilities in Young Judaea, Lori staffed multiple Birthright trips and began working towards her Master’s Degree. Lori then transitioned into Assistant Director for Camp Judaea located in Hendersonville, NC. She finished her Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Siegel College and continued to travel to Israel once a year. Lori’s camping and leadership experience then brought her to the Marcus Jewish Community Center as the Teen Program Director and then the Assistant Director of Camp Isidore Alterman. Lori is very passionate about informal, experiential Jewish Education and camping.
Ilana Schlam, Program Director, Camp Isidore Alterman
Ilana is originally from New Orleans. Ilana began her professional journey at the Metairie JCC (in LA) as the assistant day camp director. Ilana’s time at the Metairie JCC was cut short due to Hurricane Katrina, but it brought her to Atlanta where she began working as the assistant camp director for Camp Judaea (in NC). There, she helped to successfully run Camp Judaea from 2005-2009. Ilana directed Barbara and Sanford Orkin Camp Chai for the last two summers and is very excited to enhance the programs for CIA!
Ryan Pollard, Director, Sports Camps
Ryan has lived in Atlanta for 13 ˝ years and came to the MJCCA, from Challenger Sports, the largest soccer camp company in North America, where he was the South East Regional Director, overseeing over 100 camps per year and working with over 4,000 young players. Since arriving at the MJCCA, Ryan has undertaken a complete overhaul of our sports camps and youth sports leagues in a bid to provide the best possible camp and sports experience for our participants. He moved to the U.S. in 1998, but he is from Nottingham, England. In the U.K. he played soccer with a professional club by the name of Mansfield Town for 18 months before playing semi-professionally for several clubs. He graduated from the Sheffield Hallam University with a B.A. in History. Ryan has coached soccer across the U.K and U.S for 15 years, working with semi-professional adult players to young children. In the U.S. he has worked with players of all ages and ability. He is a licensed F.A (Football Association of England) coach. He also served as an assistant coach on the East Midlands Regional team for the National Football League for the Learning Disabled (in the U.K.). Ryan has a son, Rhys who is 6˝ years old (Oct 2011). In his spare time Ryan enjoys playing & watching soccer (naturally!!), most sports, including, cycling, triathlon, rugby, cricket. He enjoys reading; particularly, current affairs & politics and, whenever possible, traveling.
Roey Shoshan, Assistant Director, Sports Camps
Roey, a native Israeli, moved to Atlanta a year ago to work at the MJCCA. For 7 years he worked in Israeli sports television as an on-air graphics director and as a side-line reporter. The highlight of his television career came in 2010 when, on live television, he interviewed the president of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres. For the past six years he has worked in summer camps all over the U.S. In 2010 he worked at Camp Barney Medintz as the Sports Director and Israel Educator - which later brought him to move to Atlanta, and to his current position at the MJCCA. He has a true passion for sports. His favorite sports teams are Manchester United (soccer), the Houston Rockets (basketball), the Philadelphia Eagles (football), and the Atlanta Braves (baseball). He graduated from Bar Ilan University in Israel with a B.A. in Political Science. Roey coached basketball for a few years in Israel. He says basketball is “his game.” Roey’s family still lives in Israel and he visits them twice a year. In his spare time Roey loves to travel the world, play sports, coach youth basketball, play PlayStation, and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv (whenever he is back in Israel).
Erin Lesure, Director, Dance Camp
Erin Lesure, a native of Buffalo NY, is a graduate of the University at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance. Erin Has danced with Zodiaque Dance Company, as well as Buffalo Contemporary Dance Company. She was on the United States tap team in 1999 and 2000, and traveled to Berlin and Resia, Germany to compete in the Tap Dance World Championships. Both years she placed in the World Medals. Erin worked as the Assistant Director for Administration for the New York Education Departments Summer School of Dance for 5 years before moving to Georgia. Erin moved to Georgia in 2005 to work as the Artistic Director at a performing arts facility, and was the owner of Empire School of the Arts dance studio. Erin came to the MJCCA the summer of 2007 as the Dirctor of Dance. She loves being part of this amazing community center and seeing the dancers fall in love with dance like she did as a child.
Kim Wood, Director, Gymnastics Camp
Kim started gymnastics as a young child and began coaching in 1990 as a volunteer at the local YMCA. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada she went to Seneca College and received a degree in Advanced Gymnastics Coaching where she took courses like biomechanics, kinesiology, sport psychology, business and even spotting with the National Team members. After working in Toronto for a couple of years, Kim moved to Atlanta in 1998 and took a job with the City of Roswell Recreation and Parks where she was the Team Supervisor. “To me, gymnastics offers so much more than just physical activity. Anyone can enjoy gaining self-confidence, self-motivation, discipline, and so many more valuable life lessons.” Kim has watched many gymnasts grow up under her supervision, some even moving on to College competition. “I can’t describe the thrill of seeing these kids grow up and move on to succeed in everything they do and I am just so lucky to have had a small part in that.”
Juan Pablo Arico, Director, Tennis Camp
Since 2003, Juan has been the Marcus JCC’s Head Tennis Pro, specializing in Little Tennis, Junior Academy, Tennis Camps, and coaching ALTA and USTA teams. A former professional tennis player himself, Juan is originally from Argentina, where he was also formerly ranked as a Junior Tennis Player until 1982. He holds a degree of Tennis Instructor from Buenos Aires University. Juan specializes in junior tennis, with experience running junior programs in tennis and country clubs, and coaching women’s teams. Coach Juan has attended numerous tennis workshops in South America and the U.S., held by the AAT, ITF, USPTA. Juan is certified by the ITF, AAT and USPTA.
Clint Thornton, Director, Drama Camp
Clint Thornton has been an Atlanta theatrical professional since 1993. He has directed several professional shows at many Atlanta theaters including Theatre in the Square, Theatrical Outfit, Actors Express, Horizon Theater, and Synchronicity Theater. He is an accomplished actor, having appeared in professional productions of Amadeus, Sweeney Todd, Buried Child, Frankenstein, and many others. He has worked as a puppeteer, director, and stage manager for the Center for Puppetry Arts for several years. As an educator, Clint has served on the faculty of Kennesaw State University and the University of Georgia. He currently serves as a teaching artist for the Alliance Theatre, and has developed several innovative projects there, including The Letts Fest, The Unexpected Showcase, and Into the Works: The Dynamics of Stephen Sondheim. This year he will direct Guys and Dolls for Jerry's Habima Theater. This will be his third summer as Drama Camp Director for MJCCA Day Camps.
