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Out of Cabin Staff

Camper Care Team

Leah Tennen

My name is Leah (she/her/hers) and this is my 23rd summer at camp, although it's been 26 years since the last time I was here! I grew up in Jackson, MS, but now live just outside of Boston with my family--two of whom will be here for Session 2! When I'm not at camp, I teach adults how to be social workers at a college in Boston, and for fun, I like to listen to music and lift weights.

Laekin Rowell

I am from Laurel, MS where I have been going to graduate school to pursue my Masters in Social Work. My wife and I own a furniture store and are active members of our community. At camp, I will be part of the camper care team. This year will be my very first time at camp and I am super pumped. During the year I volunteer with Laurel Main Street where I mainly work at the ticket booth or t-shirt trailer for different special events in our downtown. I am the creator of Club Triangle where we work to create an inclusive space for people to get to know others in our community. It also serves as an LGBTQ+ peer-led support group and promotes queer culture. I also volunteer some of my time at Southern Cross Animal Rescue (SCAR), which is a no-kill animal shelter.

Grayson Nash

Hi, I'm Grayson Nash from Shreveport, Louisiana. I'm a college student at Louisiana Tech studying Graphic Design. I'm a Camper Care Specialist this year and this will be my 8th year at camp! I'm a huge Pokemon fan and have been since I was 7! My hobbies are drawing, playing video games, watching anime, listen to music, taking naps, writing for fun about things I love, collecting plushies from series I love, and messing around with Photoshop. I am really excited about camp this year and I know this summer will be AWESOME!

Julia Barnum

I'm Julia Barnum, I'm from Atlanta Georgia. During the year I study at Tulane University in New Orleans. I'm majoring in Public Health, Psychology, and International Development. This will be my first summer at camp, and I'll be working as the Health Center Administrator. During the year I also volunteer with the New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps which has been really involved in vaccine rollout and COVID testing for the New Orleans' community.

Directors

Abby Craig

Hey y'all! My name is Abby Craig and I am so excited to serve Jacobs as the Director of Communications and Hospitality. I am currently a Junior at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) studying Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. I was a nine-year camper and this will be my third summer on staff, adding up to a grand total of twelve amazing summers! I am ecstatic that my favorite place will be open this summer and I cannot wait to make some memories!

Hayley Royal

Hi! My name is Hayley Royal and I am so beyond excited to be back in Utica for my eleventh summer! I am from Memphis, Tennessee but I currently live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to study Communication Disorders at LSU. I will be this year's Staff Engagement Director, which puts me in charge of all things staff recreation. I know working at Camp is the best job in the world, and I can't wait to support counselors and other staff members as they help create Jacobs Magic!!!!

Eric Weintraub

Hello! My name is Eric Weintraub. I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama and will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia in the Fall to start work full-time. This is my 5th summer on staff, and I will be the Activities Director for this summer! I can't wait to be back at camp and am so excited to welcome everyone home after 2 long years!

Herschel Colbert

Hey! I am Herschel (he/him) and I am stoked to spend my first summer at Jacobs as Director of Operations. I am originally from the west coast, and am so excited to be in Utica! I love hiking, crossfit, kayaking, Shabbat, and ropes courses! I am so excited for camps newest dog, my corgi!

Eric Schipper

My name is Eric Schipper and I am from Jackson, Mississippi! I go to ole miss, where I am a civil engineer major. I have been going to camp since olim and I am so excited to be here helping with recs!

Department Heads

Emma Mansberg

I was born and raised in the great state of Memphis. I am thrilled to spend my 13th summer at HSJ serving as the Sports Department Head. I attended the University of Alabama where I received my BA in Political Science and my MA in Women's Studies. I will be moving to Atlanta next year to attend Emory Law School. I spent most of my free time as an undergrad traveling to rural towns in Alabama to learn about local social and political issues. In addition to serving in some of these places, I did taxes for low-income individuals in Tuscaloosa. I am an avid runner and rarely let a day go by without at least a little bit of sunshine! I am so excited to get back to camp and soak up that Utica sun.

Tanner McCormick

I am from Franklin, TN, where I've lived for my entire life. I graduated from Miami University of Ohio, where I majored in Theatre, co-majored in Arts Management, and minored in English Literature. This year at camp I'll be the Arts Department Head! I was a camper for 7 years, but this will be my first year as a staff member and I'm very excited!

Paul Auttonberry

My name is Paul Auttonberry. I have lived in Utica, Mississippi for 10 years, but have been in Ruston, Louisiana for 5 years for college at Louisiana Tech University. During the year, I am both a music student and teacher, representing the percussion and jazz studios at my University. This will be my first summer working on the Jacobs' Waterfront, but will be my 9th summer either volunteering or working for a summer camp.

Specialist

Katie Lichter

Hi my name is Katie Lichter and I am entering my junior year this fall at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas. I am currently studying design and computer science and am involved in many organizations on campus such as the Chinese Student Association and Spark Magazine. This will be my 6th summer at camp and 3rd on staff. My position at camp this summer is working as the graphic design specialist but I am so excited to also help out in the art room and be a lifeguard! I am super excited for summer 2021 and can't wait to see what magic Jacob's camp has in store!

Rachel Carter

Hi! My name is Rachel and I'm from Bentonville, Arkansas. This is my 8th summer at camp, and I will be the Waterfront Specialist. I just finished my sophomore year at SMU in Dallas, TX, where I'm majoring in Psychology. On campus, I am the director of social media for my sorority, a board member for Hillel, and the Vice President of Best Buddies, an organization that fosters friendships between college students and adults in our community with disabilities. In my free time, I love trying new restaurants, going on walks, and spending time with my friends and fam (and my cats lol). So excited to be back in Utica this summer 🙂

Allan Tucker

My name is Allan Tucker, and I'm originally from Pensacola, FL. This will be my 4th summer at camp as staff, and my 8th summer overall. This year, I will be camp's Rope and Audio Visual Specialist. When I'm not at camp, I'm back in Orlando, FL studying engineering at UCF (Go Knights! Charge On!). Although I recently graduated with my Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, I plan to start my Master's in Aerospace Engineering in Fall 2021 with a specialization in Space Systems. Over the past 3 years, I've dedicated myself to Biomedical research, designing and manufacturing a cable-driven wrist orthosis. For my engineering capstone project, I was part of a 6-person engineering team that focused on designing and manufacturing a Self-Adjusting Prosthetic Socket for transtibial amputee patients.

Aviv Roffe

Hey! My name is Aviv Roffe, I am 21 years old and I came all the way from Israel. This is my first summer here and I am excited to be the Performing Arts Specialist. Back in Israel, I'm an artist, musician, actor, designer, and photographer!

Media Team

Ziv Nagad

My name is Ziv Nagad and I am the photographer for the summer! I am from Modiin City in Israel and I served the IDF as a photographer. This is my first summer and I can't wait to capture the Jacobs Magic!

Alejandro Ariza

Hi, I'm Alejandro! I consider myself to be a curious, respectful and creative person. I love the internet and all the possibilities that it brings us. Also, I enjoy art, sports, music, and new experiences. I'm from Colombia and I have been working in communications, advertising, marketing, and audiovisual digital since 2016. My role at camp is Specialist in Film & Video and I'm so excited because this is my first summer!

Jewish Life Team

Jessica Jacobs

I am a rising 4th-year Rabbinical and Zelikow Nonprofit student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. I am from Roswell, GA where I gained my love of Judaism during my 12 summers at URJ Camp Coleman as a camper and staff member. I graduated from the University of Georgia where I earned a BSW with a minor in Religion. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to serve for 3 years in the role of Director of Engagement at Hillel at UCLA. During rabbinical school, I served as the Rabbinic Intern for J Street, taught religious school at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and held the role of Student Rabbi for Congregation Ohr Shalom in Grand Junction, CO. I am so excited to spend my first summer at URJ Jacobs Camp as Director of Student Life. Beyond Shabbat and song sessions, my favorite camp activities include art, archery, and hanging out by the pool.

Michael Duke

Shalom! My name is Michael Duke, and I'm super excited to be a part of Jacobs Camp this summer as the Assistant Director of Jewish Life! I grew up in Indiana, but I've lived all over (Canada, France, Morocco, and Israel), and I'm currently living in New York City where I study at the Hebrew Union College. Before the pandemic, I was volunteering in Jewish and Arab elementary schools in Israel teaching English. In my free time, I love reading, exploring new places, and learning new languages. This will be my first year at camp, but I'm stoked to be a part of this amazing community!