Meet Our Senior Staff
Rabbi David Shenker: - Director -
Rabbi Shenker has been at the helm of Camp Nageela since it’s inception in 1988. His vision of creating a top notch summer camp, staffed by young men and women who exude positive energy and a passion for Jewish life has blossomed into the three camps of the Nageela Jewish Experiences network that he currently guides. Rabbi Shenker’s stated goal for camping is to strive for each camper to get the maximum enjoyment and benefit from camp. His recipe is for each day in camp to have generous amounts of physical fun, positive social relationships and intellectual stimulation. With degrees in engineering and rabbinics, combined with his expertise in informal Jewish education honed by years as director of Jewish Education Program (JEP) of Long Island, and thirty years of camping experience, he is particularly suited to lead this most innovative camp movement.
Mrs. Rivky Coffer: - Girl’s Head Counselor -
Mrs. Coffer has been involved with Camp Nageela and it’s parent JEP of Long Island for the past 15 years. She quickly rose to the top as a multitalented leader, an incredible organizer and an out-of-the box thinker. A whirlwind of activity herself, she runs a program that is non-stop fun. (Though she allows her campers to sleep.)
Her climb from coming to Shabbatons on roller blades to Head Counselor is just a small part of her accomplishments. She currently resides in Toronto where she teaches high school, directs a Jewish educational program and summer camp similar to JEP and Camp Nageela, and does counseling with teens. With all that, she returns each summer with her adorable family to her true love…Camp Nageela