Year-Round Staff

About me:
Eytan G. joins the Ramah Berkshires team after two decades as a leader in Jewish camping and experiential education, most recently serving as Executive Director at Pinemere Camp and Director of Maccabi Sports Camp. During his career, he has transformed programming, managed and revitalized aging facilities, deepened camper connections to Israel and Yahadut (Jewishness), and increased camper satisfaction toward best in class. Known for his hands-on, relationship-driven leadership style, Eytan G. believes deeply in being present with campers, staff, and families–every single day of the summer. Originally from California, Eytan G. spent his early childhood on Kibbutz Hannaton in the Galilee, where his father served as rabbi. After settling in Chicago, Eytan G. grew up around stories of Ramah Wisconsin through his family—including his father, grandfather, and siblings. Though he attended Camp Young Judaea in Wisconsin, he attributes his deep love for Ramah to the values and long-standing friendships his family found within the movement. When not at camp or cheering from the bleachers at Wrigley Field, Eytan G. was playing competitive sports and exploring the outdoors. His years as an athlete instilled in him a deep appreciation for coaching, teamwork and mentorship, which he is eager to bring to Ramah Berkshires. Eytan G. is also an accomplished musician who has been teaching and performing for over 20 years, playing guitar and writing Jewish music that reflects his love of tradition. Eytan G. is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland, where he also spent a year studying in Israel. He later studied nonprofit management at Virginia Commonwealth University, earned a Master’s degree in Camp Leadership and Administration from Touro University, and received his MBA from Creighton University. Eytan is a graduate of the JCC Association’s Merrin Fellowship and has served on the Board of Directors of Rudlin Torah Academy and the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Calgary, where he also chaired JNF Future. He was a member of the inaugural Camp Educators Cohort at the Institute for Experiential Education, was named one of the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Jewish Leaders in 2021, and currently serves as Chair of the Junior Maccabi Games in Philadelphia.

Eytan
Graubart

Director

egraubart@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622, x112

About me:
I'm a proud member of Gesher ’15, was a Rosh Edah twice (including Rosh Gesher ’22), and was Rosh Machaneh Bet in ’23. I graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a degree in history, and now am thrilled to be part of the year-round Berkshires team where I help develop and prepare the programming and activities for the upcoming kayitz and work on our tzevet (staff) hiring process. Over the summer, I’m at Camp, supervising roshim (division heads), madrichim (counselors), and the edah (division) programs. Fun Fact: I’m a huge fan of the Chicago Bears, Bruce Springsteen, and Taylor Swift.

Shaya
Kalmanofsky

Assistant Director

skalmanofsky@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622

About me:
I first fell in love with Ramah Berkshires when I attended METNY Kadima/USY Encampment as a child. After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Film & Television from Boston University, I spent 11 years in Los Angeles working in the television industry, primarily managing live events and awards shows. I'm thrilled to be returning to my roots and to have the chance to give back to a place that holds so many important memories for me. As Director of Operations, I oversee facilities, IT, security, and food service. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling, and attending concerts.

Kara
McGuire

Director of Operations

KMcGuire@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622, x136

About me:
My love affair with Jewish camping started almost by accident: I was born and raised in Israel, came to North America in 2016 as a shaliach and never really left. Since then, I’ve spent nearly every summer at camps across Israel, the U.S., and Canada, in roles from Program Director to Camp Director, mentoring staff from around the world and working closely with hundreds of shlichim at Gann Academy, Masa Israel Journey, the Jewish Agency, and the World Zionist Organization, along with various Federations and JCCs. I first came to Ramah Berkshires in the summer of 2024 as Rosh Gesher and returned in 2026 to join the year-round team, where I’m helping it grow with new programs, including the launch of CampChella, Ramah Berkshires’s own festival-style summer tradition. I live in the Boston area with my wife, Elise, whom I met at camp, and our dog, River. In my free time, I love discovering good music, playing guitar, cooking, and traveling.

Dolev
Meitav

Director of Programs & Strategy

dmeitav@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622

About me:
I bring over a decade of development experience in higher education and the Jewish non-profit sector. I hold a BA in Arts in Anthropology from Brandeis University and an MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. As a proud Ramah alumna (New England), I’m very excited to be on the Ramah Berkshires team, where I oversee our community relations and outreach, and guide our development, alumni affairs, and communications efforts.

Liya
Kahan

Director of Institutional Advancement

lkahan@ramahberkshires.org || 845-832-6622, x119

About me:
I have a Masters in Special Education and have been working with children in both a school and camp setting for over 15 years. I work closely with families during the year to ensure that their camper is set up for success over the summer. I’m happy to speak to you about any accommodation that your child might need while they are at Camp!

Elisheva
Layman

Director of Community Care & Inclusion

elayman@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622, x116

About me:
I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. I have spent the last several summers on staff at residential and day camps and I have worked with students both in and out of the classroom during the school year. I’m an outdoors person! Rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, and camping are some of my favorite activities. At Ramah Berkshires, I help connect parents with Camp and make sure that campers and parents are supported during this wonderful camp experience!

Yael
Wallen

Registrar and Director of Administration

ywallen@ramahberkshires.org || 845-832-6622, x252

About me:
I've been at camp for more than 13 summers (which is Taylor Swift's lucky number!), as both a camper and a staff member. I have a B.A. in Psychology from Muhlenberg College, and I was a teacher at Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County. I returned in May 2025 from a year as an intern with Masa Israel and am so excited to join the year-round team at Ramah Berkshires overseeing all the aspects of scheduling, programming, and all the various spreadsheets!

Emma
Schwartz

Program Manager

eschwartz@ramahberkshires.org 845-832-6622

About me:
I’m in charge of our large scale community and alumni events such as our annual Gala and Golf & Pool Outing. With a Masters in Jewish Nonprofit Management from the Zelikow School at HUC-JIR and a Master of Communication Management from USC, I’m thrilled to use my knowledge and passion for our Jewish future and continuity.

Emily
St. Lifer

Associate Development Director

estlifer@ramahberkshires.org || 845-832-6622, x149

About me:
I have over 25 years of accounting and finance experience. I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY and now live with my family in New Jersey. I love getting to work with staff and families that are passionate about Jewish camping just as my family is.

Carley
Peven

Director of Finance

cpeven@ramahberkshires.org || 845-832-6622, x101

Why I love to work at Ramah Berkshires:
I love to work at Camp because I have the ability to touch people’s lives in a very positive manner. The work I do gives me a great deal of satisfaction when I see people enjoying Camp.

Jason
Smalley

Facilities Manager

jsmalley@ramahberkshires.org

Why I love to work at CRB?
I love to work at CRB because I get to be a part of a team that helps maintain a beautiful property.

Allen
Frangione

Assistant Facilities Manager

afrangione@ramahberkshires.org