Current Staff Bios

Risa Epstein
Director Camp Solelim

National executive director Canadian Young Judaea. Has been involved in CYJ since she was 8 including meeting her husband on staff at Biluim Canada in 1986.  She has three daughters, one who will be joining her this summer as staff, her middle daughter will be at Biluim Canada and her younger daughter who will be spending her last summer at Camp Shalom.

Jen Levy
Assistant Director Camp Solelim

Camp administrator for Canadian Young Judaea. Jen has been involved with CYJ for over ten years spending the last five summers at Camp Solelim.  Growing up in Zimbabwe she was new to our organization but quickly felt at home. She looks forward to speaking with all of our parents and ensuring their child's amazing summer.

Dennis Beker:

My name is Dennis Beker and I am the Program Director for Solelim 2010. I am finishing the third year of my undergraduate degree at the Schulich School of Business at York University. My areas of study are predominantly in Finance and Economics. Currently, I am on an exchange program in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Copenhagen Business School. I am absolutely thrilled to be back at Solelim this summer for my 4th summer as a staff member, and my 13th summer in Young Judea. Everyone should be very excited for what should be a truly memorable summer!

Annie Gamliel:

Hello campers and parents, my name is Annie Gamliel and I am the Head Counselor this summer at Camp Solelim. As such I am responsible for campers well-being during the summer, and I am available during the year to contact for camper issues. I am looking forward to an amazing summer with the returning and new posts, and as well the rookies whom I have already had the pleasure of meeting at our "Whirly Ball" program. During the year I attend York University where I study English Literature, and I am an active participant in Jewish campus activities. I hope you are all as excited as I am for the summer we have in store for you!

Shaun Wolch:

Hello campers and parents, my name is Shaun Wolch and this summer I will be working along side Justin Tock as the Assistant Director of Camp Solelim. I have been involved in CYJ for the past 12 years and I have spent my last three summers as a staff at Camp Solelim. During the year I am a psychology major at the University of Western Ontario.  Along with being a student I also teach dance, and for the past 2 years have been Head Choreographer for a charity dance fashion show called OHM. I could not be more excited for this summer to begin and I am looking forward to see all of the new and familiar faces.