Year Round Staff
Meet our Directors
Rabbi Joel Seltzer
Director
Rabbi Joel Seltzer is originally from Philadelphia, PA and he himself is a home-grown product of Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Whether as a camper, a counselor, a Rosh Edah (Division Head), or Rosh Drama (Head of Performing Arts), Rabbi Joel learned countless personal and professional life lessons from his time at camp. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Rabbi Joel served as a rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Providence, RI for four years before returning to his spiritual home: Camp Ramah. Rabbi Joel lives in Philadelphia with his wife Eliana (whom he met at Camp!), and their daughters Ayelet and Talia.
You Can Follow Rabbi Joel on twitter at: @joseltzer
Also, you can read his collection of monthly essays on haaretz.com by clicking here
Michelle Sugarman
Assistant Director
Michelle is excited to spend her 20th summer at Camp Ramah in the Poconos! Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Michelle relocated to Philadelphia and earned her BA in Jewish Studies and then a Masters in Social Work at Temple University. Through her roles as camper, babysitter, Madricha (counselor), Rosh Edah (Division Head), and now her 6th year as the Assistant Director, Michelle has developed a passion for camp and cannot picture her summers spent anywhere else.
Susan Ansul
Day Camp Director
Sue is looking forward to her 15th summer working at Ramah Day Camp, and 13th as Director. After earning her Masters in Psychology from Temple University, Sue began her career as a psychologist, working in hospitals and schools. She loves utilizing her knowledge of child development, experience with program design and team leadership, staff training, and her expertise with special needs to continually enhance and develop our Day Camp. Sue is proud to be a member of a dedicated Ramah family. Her three children are alumnae of the day and overnight camps, and have all returned to work at camp. Her husband, Sion Segal, Ph.D. is the camp psychologist of Camp Ramah in the Poconos.
Bruce I. Lipton
Director of Finance and Operations
Bruce I. Lipton will celebrate his 16th year as Director of Finance & Operations applying his skill set to keep camp safe, secure and solvent. 2013 also marks his 25th working year overall with Camp Ramah in the Poconos having worked as a counselor, Rosh Hadar/Rosh Shachal and Kitchen Steward. Bruce’s life experiences include higher and continuing education, army service in the IDF having lived in Israel as an Oleh for 10 years, and most importantly as a loving father to his two children Rachel and Avi and loving husband to his wife Meryl Sussman.
Deborah-Jo Essrog
Director of Development
Deborah-Jo joined Ramah as the Development Director in 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance and development within a wide range of industries. A Camp Ramah in the Poconos alumna and parent of 3 Poconos alumnae, she is passionate about camp and encourages your involvement, ideas, and support.
Michele Hasit
Communications Director
Michele Hasit is very excited to join the year round staff as the Communications Director. She is looking forward to spending her 15th summer at camp, having been a camper for seven summers and then working as a madricha (counselor), teacher, and on office staff. Michele graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park with a B.S. in Public and Community Health, and has spent the last few years working in public health both domestically and abroad. Michele is eager to bring her energy and creativity to her new role with Ramah, her home away from home.
