Sam Cantrell
Camp Kee Tov Director
Sam is a Berkeley native who has been in the Jewish afterschool and camp world for the better part of five years. He received his BA in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and has also spent time teaching English in Japan and Mexico. Sam could not be more excited to be joining the Kee Tov community, and looks forward to continuing the ruach for the next generation of Kee Tov families. When he's not at Beth El, you can find Sam playing soccer at the Gilman fields.
sam@bethelberkeley.org
Rosie Rokeach
Camp Kee Tov Assistant Director
Rosie is a Berkeley native who went to every single session of Camp Kee Tov possible as a camper. She became Bat Mitzvah at Beth El, and continued her journey as a counselor for three summers at Kee Tov in Rishonim and Giborim. Rosie graduated from UCLA with a BA in Fine Arts. During her time in between being a counselor at Kee Tov and now, Rosie worked in arts education with adults and a cooking program with children, as well as filling roles as an art gallery coordinator and sales representative.
Rosie spent this last summer going on the birthright program, connecting her deeper to her Jewish identity, and exciting the ruach within. After some time away from Kee Tov, Rosie is very excited to return to ruach, and is looking forward to using her expertise in arts education to have the messiest messy day yet, and to pour the finest fuzzy milk to drink.
campkeetov@bethelberkeley.org
Sylvie Love
Rishonim Program Director
Rishonim has held a very special place in Sylvie’s heart ever since sixteen summers ago when she walked into the Social Hall for the first time as a Rishonimer. Now, she is looking forward to her 6th year working at Camp Kee Tov (most of that time spent in Rishonim). Even though Sylvie spends the school year studying earth science (geology) and history at UC Santa Barbara, she spends most of her time daydreaming of gaga, scavenger hunts, dance parties, and fuzzy milk. She cannot wait to return to Rishonim for another glorious summer filled with ruach, baseball caps with no brims (the newest coolest fashion trend), and her annual New York Mets Day! Sylvie is confident that this summer Rishonim will win the ruach competition for the 111th and 112th consecutive times, and has no doubt that this will be the best summer Rish has ever seen!!!
Zev Bennett
Habonim Program Director
Zev is an avid outdoor adventurer, musician, dancer, and Jewish Educator. He grew up in Berkeley and went to camp Ramah in Ojai, California. He studied Mathematics and Dance at UC Berkeley. After graduating Zev moved to Israel to teach English in Haifa. He is new to camp Kee Tov and could not be more excited to work in this beautiful, inspiring community! When he's not at Camp Kee Tov, you'll find him in the mountains!
Lena Ostroy Harp
Giborim Program Director
After a short hiatus in Gesher, Lena is coming back to her home in Giborim for her sixth summer on staff! Lena is a gib girl through and through and cannot wait to be back at Wildcat campground roasting marshmallows (with gluten free graham crackers of course) and singing Hashkiveinu around the fire with Eric. She has spent her last two years at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut working away in the chemistry lab on a new ruach potion that will surely secure Gib’s win at the ruach competition. Lena is hoping to give the Giborimers the best summer that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Parents watch out, your kids might have a little too much fun.
Bella Nathan
Mapilim Program Director
Friend, scholar, influencer, explorer, thinker, creator, eater, sister, builder, destroyer, teacher, artist, ponderer, comedian, and most importantly, counselor. It is widely accepted that Bella Nathan was destined to be Mapilim program director since the day she set foot on Beth El soil. Campers and counselors alike have long heard the legend that in 2023, a legendary Map staff would join forces in putting together the greatest Map show this camp, or any camp for that matter, has ever seen. Brace yourselves, because this summer will be like no other. When she is not pouring fuzzy milk or scattering popsicle sticks Bella can be sound studying religion, literature, and studio art in Washington DC, in search for the origins of ruach.
Nitzan Gladstone
Chalutzim Program Director
To Nitzan, summer and Kee Tov are synonymous. There's just some magic that camp has that just brings you back year after year. After making his rounds through every program a camper, Nitzan decided to make Hab his home for six action packed years. This year though he plans to share the love with another program and is excited to lead Chaluztim for a summer filled with new friends, overnights, and of course lots of Rauch.
For those other 10 months out of the year that can be generally described as "not Kee Tov" you can find Nitzan out riding his bike in the hills or in the classroom studying nursing!
Eugene Bolgatz
Gesher Program Director
As a former trainee of NASA, Eugene learned to operate a spacecraft. As a trained black belt, Eugene learned to harness his mind. As an aid to the current president, Eugene learned how to fight for his opinions. As an elected federal judge, Eugene learned right from wrong. As a farmer, Eugene learned to speak to the earth. As a national chess champion, Eugene learned to be braver than his competitors. As an Australian wild animal vet, Eugene learned to be efficient. As an Olympic athlete, Eugene learned to be humble. Why did he do this all? Not for appraisal. Not for recognition. He did this for you. He did this for camp. He did this for Gesh!