Meet our year round staff!
Lori Stark, Director
director@ramahday.com
Born and raised in upstate New York, Lori spent many summers at Camp Ramah in New England as a camper, counselor and Rosh Aidah (unit head). Upon graduation from Rutgers College, Lori taught for several years at the Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton, MA. She later earned a Masters Degree in History from Carnegie Mellon University. In Chicago, before becoming the Director of Ramah Day Camp, Lori helped start the Board of Jewish Education’s Marshall Jewish Learning Center. She has also taught at the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. As her own children matured, Lori developed a wealth of material for young children’s Shabbat programs and has given numerous presentations on how to run a Tot Shabbat program. Camp provides Lori with the perfect opportunity for her to share her love of Judaism.
Benji Bearman, Chief Operating Officer
bizmgr@ramahday.com
Benji Bearman is the Chief Operating Officer of Ramah Day Camp and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. In this capacity, Benji is responsible for the finances, camper scholarships, year-round operations and corporate governance of the camp. He also oversees maintenance and construction projects. Benji was previously the Director of Youth Activities for the Mid-Continent Region of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for eight years. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communications. A former camper, counselor, Rosh Aidah and fieldworker at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, Benji has been associated with Camp Ramah since 1989. Benji lives in Skokie with his wife, Faye, their daughter, Mia, and their son, Leo.
Rachel Siegal, Operations Manager
operations@ramahday.com
Rachel grew up just around the corner from the day camp in Glenview. Rachel worked at on the pool deck at Ramah Day Camp from 2002-2004 and then again as the assistant pool head in 2008. Rachel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management and Tourism/Hospitality from Arizona State University in May 2007. While attending Arizona State University, Rachel played an active role in both the Chabad and the Hillel on campus. Since graduation, Rachel has moved back to Chicago. She also works part-time as one of the USY advisors at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook. Before starting with Ramah Day Camp full time, Rachel also worked at Nordstrom and The Sheraton Chicago Northbrook. She is happy to now be living her passion--to work for the Jewish community, especially for Ramah.
Beth Grodzin, Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator
editor@ramahday.com
Beth was a proud member of the inaugural staff of RDC back in the summer of 2000 and returned as Rosh Rikud (Dance Head) two more times—in 2001 and 2004. She returns each summer as the Newsletter Editor and Camp Photographer. During the school year, she assists with marketing and camper recruitment.
Beth’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. After five years practicing in the field of Early Childhood Special Education, she decided she wanted to dance more and spent over six years teaching Israeli dance full time. Beth has recently returned to her social work and early childhood roots. This is her third year as the Parent Services Coordinator for TOPS Pre-K which is part of School District 69 and located at Madison School in Skokie.
Beth lives in Evanston with her husband, Josh, and two incredibly adorable boys – Zev, 7 (a Ramah camper), and Asher, 4 (a future Ramahnik!). Beth and her family are members of Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) in Evanston.
Beth’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. After five years practicing in the field of Early Childhood Special Education, she decided she wanted to dance more and spent over six years teaching Israeli dance full time. Beth has recently returned to her social work and early childhood roots. This is her third year as the Parent Services Coordinator for TOPS Pre-K which is part of School District 69 and located at Madison School in Skokie.
Beth lives in Evanston with her husband, Josh, and two incredibly adorable boys – Zev, 7 (a Ramah camper), and Asher, 4 (a future Ramahnik!). Beth and her family are members of Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) in Evanston.