Leadership
Our Team
We have decades of experience bringing the magic of camp to life.
Rabbi Isaac Saposnik
(he/him/his)
Executive Director
Rabbi Isaac joined Camp Havaya after its first summer and has spent the last 20 years helping build it into one of the premier Jewish overnight camps in North America. Under his leadership, Havaya has launched a capstone Israel experience for teens, built a multi-award-winning Eco-Village, participated in the inaugural cohort of Project Accelerate, completed a successful name change, and been called “the Jewish camp that takes inclusion seriously.” Rabbi Isaac is a graduate of Tufts University, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Executive Leadership Institute. He has worked for NFTY and URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute; served on advisory committees for the Foundation for Jewish Camp and JCamp180; and led workshops for congregational educators, Federation staff members, and docents at the National Museum of American Jewish History. A long-time camper and youth worker, Rabbi Isaac is passionate about creating engaging, meaningful, and innovative Jewish experiences that celebrate kids in all their glory and wonder. Rabbi Isaac is married to Jeanne Calloway, a teacher, whom he met at Camp Havaya; they live in Philadelphia with their son, Zev.
Joshua Sternburg
(he/him/his)
Senior Director, Finance and Operations
Joshua is a graduate of Colorado College, Brandeis University and several professional development programs in the camping field. With a strong passion for non-profit management, Jewish community and youth work, Joshua has truly loved his work at Havaya since early 2010. In particular, he loves managing all of the moving pieces necessary to make a memorable and transformative experience for the children and staff members at camp each summer. Originally from the Poconos himself, Joshua currently lives in Collegeville, PA with his wife Natalie (whom he met while working at Camp George in Ontario) and their two children Sophie and Jacob.
Michelle Witman
(she/her/hers)
Director, Camper Experience
Michelle has been part of the Havaya community since 2015, initially working in the office and developing a deep connection to our values. With over 25 years of experience in disability inclusion across educational and corporate settings, Michelle brings her expertise in creating sustainable, accessible environments where everyone can thrive. A graduate of Brandeis and Lesley Universities, Michelle holds degrees in elementary education, conflict resolution in educational settings, and a literacy coaching certification. Through her company, SAIL Consulting, Michelle has worked successfully with school districts and universities to build inclusive educational environments, creating spaces where students with disabilities experience seamless and dignified learning. Michelle currently lives in Port Washington, NY with her husband Josh and their two daughters, and she is excited to bring her passion for inclusion and community-building to her role at Camp Havaya.
Grace Hack
(they/them/theirs)
Director, Staff Experience
Grace grew up fourth-generation Jewish in Omaha, Nebraska and spent their summers at Shwayder Camp in Colorado. After graduating college with a degree in English Literature, they volunteered in Israel through Solidarity of Nations – a program that places young people in positions at Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations. Grace later moved to New Orleans where they co-founded a Jewish intentional living community (nicknamed “The Shwamp Shtetl”) and worked as an adult ESL instructor. Grace’s passion for education and Jewish community ultimately propelled them to New York City, where they received a double master’s in Education and Talmud from the Jewish Theological Seminary and worked in synagogues, day schools, and at Camp Havaya (as our Harim unit head for the last two summers). Grace is thrilled to be joining the team full-time and to support staff members in growing, connecting, and providing campers with the most enriching experience possible.
Jacob Oshins
(he/him/his)
Site Director
Jacob holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and Development from Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. He has been a member of the Camp Havaya community since 2007 and has held various positions on the Camp staff since 2008. This time spent as an integral part of Camp has led to his passion for working with children. Having a foundational knowledge in the development of the individual and group dynamics informs Jacob’s practice when working with all Camp participants and staff members. He is excited to join the year-round team as assistant director and to be back in Philadelphia.
Lisa Stanton
(she/her/hers)
Development and Alumni Relations Manager
Lisa Stanton has over 18 years of experience in non-profit communal work and has a lifelong love of camp. She grew up in the DC area before heading out west to University of Arizona, where she majored in Judaic Studies. She spent the first half of her career in Jewish education before transitioning to a focus on development after settling in Houston, with her husband Jeffrey. Lisa is passionate about volunteerism and advocacy for Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Community. Being a mom to twins Max and Maya is the work that Lisa takes most seriously. Modeling what it means to help repair the world, through acts of loving kindness she uses her voice to speak out on behalf of those who are marginalized in the hopes of building a more inclusive and equitable world. She is excited to engage Havaya alumni, current families, and friends in building a culture of philanthropy which will sustain and grow our Camp community!
Sara Chernov
(she/her/hers)
Director of Emotional Wellness and Support
Sara is excited to be back at Camp Havaya! Sara has been a part of the Havaya community since 2005 when she was a camper and held multiple staff positions. While working at Camp, Sara’s passion for supporting children through their social and emotional needs came to be. After graduating Goucher College and working at several Jewish organizations, she pursued a Master’s degree from New York University in School Counseling and Guidance. She currently works as a School Counselor in PA and is excited to join the team as a Mental Health Professional this summer.
Victoria Finnegan
(she/her/hers)
Administrative Assistant
Victoria holds an A.S. in Business Management from Pierce College, and a B.A in Accounting from Holy Family University. Prior to joining Camp Havaya staff in 2017, she was employed for 30 years with the City of Philadelphia as a Contract Administrator in the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services (DBH/IDS). DBH/IDS works with various agencies, families and communities to provide care and services for people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and those struggling with addictions. Victoria resides in Florida with her husband Kevin. They have two grown sons, Brian and Sean. She is happy to be a part-time member of the Camp Havaya team!
Our Board
- Jillian Best Adler
- Melissa Crow
- Rabbi Jeffrey Eisenstat
- Carol Feder
- Micah Fenner
- Micah Goldfus
- Marla Izbicky
- Andy Kaplan
- Julie Kowalski
- Carla Naumburg
- Brian Peters
- Seth Rosen
- Rabbi Alanna Sklover
- Holly Gudelsky Stone
Join our community
Camp Havaya is a truly extraordinary place—your kid will feel part of something bigger than themselves, and they’ll want to experience that magic year after year.