Year-round Staff
Havi Goldscher
Havi joined in 2018, to oversee the agency’s development and engagement efforts, including the Annual Campaign, Legacy giving, Capital Campaign, Endowment funds, as well as alumni and Board engagement.
Prior to her time at Capital Camps, Havi spent 14 years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). During her final four years at AIPAC, Havi was responsible for building and executing a national lay leadership program, ensuring the goals of the organization were met in partnership with key leaders. Prior to that role, Havi served as the Deputy Director of Development, tasked with retaining relationships with the organization’s key stateholders, as well as supporting foundations. Havi began her professional career at Project Interchange, an institute of the American Jewish Committee.
Originally from Philadelphia, Havi earned a degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, after participating in Young Judaea Year Course. Her love of camping was solidified after spending seven summers as a camper and counselor at Camp Wingate * Kirkland. Havi, her husband Eric, and their three children, Ezra, Jonah and Orli, live in Silver Spring, MD.
Nate Strauss
Nate joined the Capital Camps team in March 2024 after eight years on staff at Michigan State University Hillel and the Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan, having most recently served as the organization’s Assistant Director. A passionate Jewish community builder, Nate draws inspiration from his involvement in BBYO, Hillel, Birthright Israel, the iCenter, and Avodah to think about the Jewish future and how Capital Camps can play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of Judaism.
A native of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Nate earned degrees in comparative cultures & politics and journalism from Michigan State University and holds a Master’s degree in experiential Jewish education with a certificate in Israel education from The George Washington University. Nate lives in Washington, DC, with his girlfriend Sara, a lifelong camper, and their dogs Feeny and Orli.
Melissa Grossman
Melissa joined Capital Camps’ team following 13 successful years in recruiting and professional development at a global law firm. Growing up outside of Philadelphia, Melissa attended overnight camp for 11 summers. Once her daughter made Capital Camps her summer home, she knew she had to get back to camp. After a brief time on the CCRC Board of Directors, she joined the agency as a year-round staff member. As Community and Family Engagement Director, Melissa focuses on programming, recruiting and other initiatives. She graduated from the University of Delaware with degrees in Communications, Jewish Studies and Theater Arts, and received her Master’s degree in Organizational Development from The George Washington University. Melissa, with her husband, Matt, and their two children live in Arlington, VA.
Ilana Kornblatt
Ilana started her Capital Camps journey at age 8 as a camper in Benjamin Village. She was a cabin counselor in Reich Village in 2014 and 2015 and then became the Assistant Reich Village Leader in 2016. In 2016, Ilana was also a fellow in the Capital Camps Institute for Leadership and Learning. Ilana was then the Reich Village Leader in 2017 and 2018 before taking on the role of CIT Coordinator for summers 2019-2022. Prior to joining the Capital Camps year round team, Ilana was the Regional Director for BBYO in Baltimore. Ilana has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
Max Nozick
Max first joined the Capital Camps community in 2004 as a Benjamin Village camper. After a decade of being a cabin counselor, an atzma’im (inclusion) counselor, and a Village Leader for our Staff Kids, Yalla, Benjamin, and Reich Villages, Max joined the Year Round Team in 2024. Max has a degree in Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Before joining the Year Round Team, Max supported Capital Camps & Retreat Center’s retreating operations in Waynesboro, and has previous experience as a teacher at the Bender JCC Preschool, which he brings to his work in elevating Capital Camps’ programming to its full potential. Max lives in Silver Spring, MD and enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy, playing board games and Dungeons and Dragons, and finding new recipes to cook.
Penny Hartzman
Penny has been a part of our year-round team for over 20 years. She is Camp Registrar, Agency Office Administrator and Camp Health Center Administrator. Penny handles camper enrollment, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and oversees the administration of our summer Health Center. She lives in Gaithersburg, MD with her dog, Lucy, and is the proud mother of two former campers, David and Deanna.
David Brunner
David served as a summer staff member from 1995 – 1998 and is now a part of our Management Team serving as the Chief Operations Officer.
After 25 years as the Director and then Executive Director of Medomak Camp in Maine, he is returning home to CCRC. His as a summer staff member at CCRC led to lifelong friendships, an appreciation of the outdoors, and a deeper connection to Judaism. During the year, David lives in Rockville with his wife and children.
Ruth Burka
Ruth has been a member of our year-round team for 21 years. Ruth’s work focuses on all things relating to Finance and Administration, including Human Resources, and management of our Financial Aid Program. Ruth lives in Olney, MD with her husband, Ben. She is the proud parent of three former campers and counselors – her son Lawrence and his wife, Allee, who met at camp in 10th grade, and her daughter Randi.
Adina Golob, LMSW
Adina was born and raised in Baltimore, and has always had a passion for camping and helping others. Adina attended the University of Hartford, earning degrees in Special Education and Sociology, before serving with City Year Americorps in the Boston Public Schools. After her time in Boston, Adina moved to New York City and taught special education for two years. Wanting to work more with the social-emotional aspect of youth, Adina returned to school to receive her MSW, with a concentration in disabilities across the lifespan, from New York University. Before joining Capital Camps, Adina worked at a non-profit serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in the crisis intervention department.
Adina is a lifelong camp person, growing up at Ramah Palmer and working as a counselor, unit head, and Yoetzet. Adina loves being a part of Capital Camps community, where she helps staff with self care, supports campers in reaching their full potential, and builds relationships with families and the community.
Jason Grill
Jason began his Capital Camps experience in 2009 as a Benjamin camper. He joined the year-round team in 2022 after five years as a summer staff member. Jason has a degree in Public Policy and History from Duke University, go Blue Devils! He has previous experience at AIPAC and APF and works on the development team for CCRC. Jason lives in Bethesda, MD and enjoys cooking, attending sporting events, and exploring new restaurants in his free time.
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